History in the making? Link Legal to enter into combination with international law firm Dentons

Indian law firm Link Legal will enter into a combination with international law firm, Dentons in what promises to be a historic first.

The arrangement between the two firms is not a joint venture, a best-friends relationship or a liaison license, nor a merger or an acquisition, but a combination. Dentons has similar combinations with firms around the world. As Global Chairman of Dentons Joe Andrew pointed out,

“This is history in the making in India because this is not a joint venture, not a “best friends” relationship, not a “referral agreement.”

The combination in India again makes Dentons not only a first-mover but a first-mover in a market that matters to our clients."

Following approval by the partners, the combination with Link Legal is expected to launch in the coming months.

Managing Partner of Link Legal Atul Sharma clarified that the firm will continue to be wholly owned, managed and controlled by Indian lawyers. He said,

“In the current geopolitical and economic landscape, India enjoys an important and enviable position. We approached Dentons because we recognized that a combination between our firms would help us meet and exceed the needs of our clients who are increasingly becoming global.

Importantly, the combination allows us to be both global and local, helping us to connect our clients to leading legal talent around the world while continuing to be wholly owned, controlled and managed by Indian lawyers at Link Legal in India,” he added.

Dentons' combination with Link Legal would offer an established, physical presence in five of the six largest cities in India: Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad. Link Legal lawyers will represent clients inside India and Dentons lawyers will represent Link Legal’s clients outside of India, in consonance with the rules and regulations regarding foreign law firms in India.

Link Legal currently has more than 19 practice areas, 42 partners and 134 lawyers, an office in New York, and plans to open its offices in other locations as well. Co-Managing Partner of Link Legal Nusrat Hassan said on this aspect,

“The combination with Dentons will provide access to sophisticated new technology as well as leading talent, allowing us to provide seamless, integrated services to clients across more than 200 locations.”

Senior Partner Anand Srivastava added,

“The combination between Link Legal and Dentons not only allows us to be the trusted advisors to our clients across the many markets in which they operate but will also create global opportunities for our Indian lawyers.”

Dentons’ unique “polycentric” structure allows it to combine with firms in many jurisdictions while respecting the legal and regulatory requirements of each jurisdiction. This has allowed Dentons to grow in what will be 215 offices across 83 countries.

Global CEO of Dentons Elliott Portnoy said in this regard,

“India will be the most populous country in the world next year with a fast-growing economy making it an increasingly important market for our clients around the world.

“This historic combination will allow Dentons to connect clients to leading talent in India and provide a seamless one-firm experience in more than 200 locations around the globe."

The combination between the firms promises to be different from "best friend relationships" that Indian firms have entered into with international firms in the past. Trilegal was one of the first Indian firms to enter into such a relationship with Allen & Overy. AZB & Partners and Clifford Chance; ALMT and Clyde & Co; Dua Associates and Garrigues; and Vaish Associates and Dacheng Central were some of the best friend relations that have since been dissolved.

Currently, foreign law firms can operate in India on a 'fly in-fly out' basis, but cannot set up offices. The Supreme Court in 2018 held that the visit of any foreign lawyer on a 'fly in-fly out' basis may amount to practice of law if it is on regular basis. However, a casual visit for giving advice may not be covered by the expression ‘practice’.

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