Global giant Dentons has announced plans for a three-way partnership with firms in Singapore and Australia, as it continues its aggressive international expansion following its merger with Chinese firm Dacheng. 

The proposed tie-up with Australian firm Gadens and Singapore firm Rodyk & Davidson, is subject to partner approval. According to the firm, the move recognises clients’ needs for ‘seamless, integrated’ representation in today’s global economy.

The merger with Gadens would add 500 lawyers to Dentons’ total headcount and provide offices in Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Singapore and Port Moresby.

Rodyk & Davidson would add a further 200 lawyers, with expertise in intellectual property, litigation, real estate and finance.

Elliott Portnoy, global chief executive officer at Dentons, said: ‘This combination is about capturing talent for the benefit of our clients, and doing so in a way that complements the polycentric approach and innovative spirit on which our firm was built.’

He added: ‘In these firms we recognise a similar ambition to bring clients more, to challenge the accepted and to add value in everything we do.’

The planned partnership comes after a run of mergers aimed at expanding Dentons’ international footprint in the past year. In January the firm merged with Chinese firm Dacheng, creating the world's largest firm by lawyer headcount.

This was followed by a tie-up with US firm McKenna Long & Aldridge.