Denton Wilde Sapte has expanded its network of African firms with the addition of South Africa’s Glyn Marais.
Dentons already has associations with firms in Algeria, Botswana, Ghana, Mauritius, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia, in addition to an office of its own in Cairo.
Dentons chief executive Howard Morris said that although the firm had been looking for a South African partner for some time, it only began talking to
Glyn Marais in December last year.
“They are one of the firms that are very international in outlook and want to work outside South Africa and the continent,” said Morris. “We’ve been working with them for a number of years and have worked together on a number of projects.”
Glyn Marais has offices in Sandton and Cape Town and is considered one of the leading second-tier firms in South Africa.
Although Dentons previously had an office in Johannesburg, it was used as a liaison office. Morris said a South African association was vital given the country’s importance in winning wider African work. Morris added that there were no plans for the firm to launch any more offices of its own in Africa.
“The association serves us very well,” he said. “The continent has 53 countries but there still aren’t enough regular flows of work for an international law firm in any of those countries to justify having an office.”
