SNR Denton to Lose the Initials, Add an 'S' After Three-Way Merger
Corrected: The leaders of SNR Denton have confirmed plans for a three-way merger and revealed the name of the new combined firm: Dentons.
Branding and advertising advisers recommended a single name for the new firm, SNR Denton’s two top leaders tell the Am Law Daily. The firm is planning a merger with European firm Salans and Canadian firm Fraser Milner Casgrain.
SNR Denton global CEO Elliott Portnoy and global chairman Joseph Andrew will keep their titles and lead the new entity, which would become the world’s seventh-largest law firm by head count, according to the Am Law Daily and the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.). Andrew told the Am Law Daily the deal will also create the world’s largest energy practice.
Partners are set to vote on the three-way merger on Nov. 28. If the tie-up takes place early next year, the firm will have more than 2,500 lawyers in 52 countries.
The merged firm will be organized as a Swiss verein that allows each firm to remain financially separate. Portnoy and Andrew say the three-way merger will create a “polycentric” global brand that differs from any of the other top 100 law firms. “This deal positions us differently from the competition,” Andrew told the Am Law Daily.
Corrected to state that the partner vote is Nov.28.
