Law Firms

Patton Boggs gets 'serious overture' from Dentons

  •  
  •  
  •  
  • Print

Patton Boggs is looking attractive to more than one suitor.

Even as merger talks between Patton Boggs and Squire Sanders are underway, another law firm—Dentons—has confirmed its interest in a tie-up with Patton Boggs.

Dentons has made a “serious overture” to Patton Boggs, according to its chief executive officer Elliot Portnoy and a firm spokesperson. Legal Week (sub. req.), the Lawyer and Law360 (sub. req.) have stories.

“We hold Patton Boggs in very high regard and we did indeed make a serious overture to them,” Portnoy told Law360. “The offer remains and we’ve made no bones about it.”

Dentons’ offer was made after Patton Boggs and Squire Sanders confirmed merger talks, according to Law360.

An unidentified source close to the process suggested in a conversation with Legal Week that Dentons’ move was “tactical” and there were no active talks between Dentons and Patton Boggs.

Dentons was rebuffed in merger talks with McKenna Long & Aldridge when McKenna partners balked at the plan, according to previous coverage.

Give us feedback, share a story tip or update, or report an error.