Global firm Dentons, leading PH firm PJS Law launch combination

Global law firm Dentons has launched its combination with PJS Law, one of the Philippines' leading law firms, in a move that will connect its clients to talent in six of the largest ASEAN economies.

PJS Law’s reputation as a top service provider in the country and Dentons’ worldwide reach are expected to enable the combined firm to help clients grow, protect, operate, and finance their business needs in the Philippines and over 160 locations in more than 80 countries.

“This combination represents a significant milestone in our commitment to delivering the highest standards of legal excellence and service to our clients,” PSJ chief executive officer Atty. Regina Jacinto-Barrientos said.

“We look forward to combining our local knowledge with unrivaled global insights, providing clients a broader range of expertise and resources – here in the Philippines and around the world," she added.

The combination is the result of a longstanding relationship between the two firms, aligned to help clients meet future challenges and maximize opportunities in the Philippines.

Dentons CEO Elliot Portnoy said that the combination allows Dentons to meet its client’s needs not only in the Philippines but also in Southeast Asia and the world.

“This combination further builds on Dentons’ momentum in the ASEAN Region,” said Gerald Singham, CEO of Dentons’ ASEAN Region.

“We are committed to combining with the leading law firms that truly understand the complex and nuanced needs of clients – both in their local geographies and in the more than 80 countries where Dentons has a presence,” he added.

As a combination firm, PJS Law will retain control of its operations, 

According to Barrientos, the global law firm has a polycentric model that allows it to combine with firms in countries, where other structures that involve foreign ownership would not work.

“When a new firm combines with Dentons, no one is dispatched from a foreign office to oversee the most recent combination partner or to change its positioning in the market,” Barrientos told GMA News Online.

“Each combination partner retains local control of its operations, finances, and office leadership while uplifting client service, standards, and learnings in the global context on the go. Learning, improving, and growing as lawyers in the standards of global excellence happens naturally,” she added.

Barrientos said that PJS Law can remain independent and retain the identity it had built since it was established in 1997 by the firms founders, the late Atty. David Puyat, herself, and Atty. Roy Enrico Santos. 

“Dave Puyat—the P of PJS—was ahead of his time and recognized that being a lawyer meant understanding our clients’ businesses and adapting our approach to act not just as a lawyer but as a business partner to our clients. That was a tall order and Roy and I took on the challenge whole-heartedly,” Barrientos said.

Barrientos said Puyat wanted the PJS Law to be the “world’s Philippine Law Firm” or a firm that would provide local advice based on global standards. 

“Our combination with Dentons continues that mission as we can now provide uniquely local Filipino insights and global expertise to clients around the world,” Barrientos said.

Aside from the PJS Law and the Philippines in the ASEAN region, Dentons has previously formed combinations with firms in Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, and Vietnam.

Barrientos said PJS Law will be able to connect its clients to leading talents around the world.

“It allows us to benefit from global insights and connect our clients to leading talent around the world, while still retaining our local culture and local control of our operations, finances, and office leadership. It also allows our talented Filipino lawyers to contribute to legal work beyond the Philippines,” Barrientos said.

Barrientos said there are many opportunities for Filipino lawyers within the country and globally. 

“As the world continues to change at a rapid pace, lawyers that can thrive in an uncertain environment and bring passion, creativity, and global perspectives to their work will be well-placed to seize these new opportunities,” Barrientos said. —NB, GMA Integrated News