Dentons launches public affairs network

Law firm Dentons will launch a free network for public affairs firms in early 2017.

The worldwide network will be called Nextlaw Global Public Affairs Network and Dentons has begun inviting firms to join.

Membership will be extended to companies and organisations who shape government policy or opinion through lobbying, PR, advertising, or other means.

Joe (Joseph) Andrew, global chairman of Dentons, said: “Dentons serves our clients in the court of public opinion as well as the court of law. In today’s mediacentric, cable and digital world, this can often mean integrating cross-functional services such as legal representation and public affairs capabilities. By building a public affairs network we expand our already strong public affairs offering to serve our clients in a one-stop-shop way across the globe.”

Dentons’ Nextlaw Global Referral Network is a legal referral network, which launched on October 5, and now has more than 300 members.

Andrew added: “No matter how large a law firm or a public affairs firm is, no single firm can provide the best expertise everywhere in the world. For us to serve our clients, we need knowledgeable professionals who understand the regulatory, business and economic cultures of their respective regions. This is why we have created both Nextlaw Global Referral Network and, now, Nextlaw Global Public Affairs Network. Our goal is to connect clients to the highest quality lawyers and public affairs talent around the world.”

Members will be evaluated according to a number of criteria including: client feedback, third-party quality rankings, awards and accolades, recommendations by other members and unique practice or sector expertise.