Dentons has announced a proposed combination with South Korean firm Lee International, which it says would make it the only international firm with a Korean legal practice.

The combination is subject to approval by partners, and meeting applicable regulatory requirements.

The news comes at a time when the Dentons network has been expanding around the world. It recently announced combinations with Honduras’ Gustavo Zacapa y Asociados in Central America, and with top-tier New Zealand firm Kensington Swan.

Lee International, which was founded in 1961, is a full-service law firm. Its practice areas include intellectual property, mergers and acquisitions, finance, real estate, corporate, litigation/international arbitration, entertainment, labour and employment, TMT and biotech.  

According to a statement by the firm, the combination would make Dentons the international firm whose South Korean operations would be wholly-owned and controlled by locally based Korean partners.

Law firms that are part of the Dentons network in Asia include Singapore’s Dentons Rodyk & Davidson, Indonesia’s Hanafiah Ponggawa & Partners and Malaysia’s Zain & Co.

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