Dentons Private Equity Backing Brings ‘Fear Factor,’ Andrew Says

Dentons Chair Joseph Andrew says there’s a “fear factor” in competitors’ reaction to news that his law firm is launching a private equity-backed global consulting business.

Competitors view Dentons Global Advisors as a sign of what may be to come if U.S. law firms are able to receive outside investment, Andrew said in an interview. The firm’s ability to tap private equity capital will serve as “jet fuel” for the firm’s continued acquisitions, he said.

“It has caught a lot of peoples’ attention because their minds start whirling about what we might do,” Andrew said of this week’s announcement. He ...