Driving Strategic Growth and Innovation Across Dentons’ European and Central Asian Operations
Dentons, the world’s largest law firm, has appointed Wendela Raas as the new Chief Executive Officer for its European operations, effective November 1, 2024. A seasoned leader within the firm, Raas will assume responsibility for the strategic growth and development of Dentons’ presence across 23 offices in 18 countries in Europe and Central Asia. Her appointment follows the recent promotion of Kate Barton as Dentons’ Global CEO and marks a continued commitment to the firm’s leadership evolution and client-focused expansion.
Raas, who joined Dentons in 2017 following a merger with Amsterdam’s Boekel De Nerée, has been instrumental in her roles as Managing Partner of Dentons Netherlands and Global Vice Chair. As a recognized authority in real estate law with over 25 years of experience in commercial leasing, litigation, and transactions, she has earned accolades as a top real estate lawyer in the Netherlands, including recognition by Chambers Europe and The Legal 500. Currently, she also leads the firm’s Global Consumer Products and Retail sector group and serves on both the European and Global Boards of Dentons.
Her influence extends beyond her technical expertise; Raas is a strong advocate for talent development and inclusion, contributing extensively to Dentons’ mentoring and advisory initiatives. Her leadership philosophy emphasizes fostering a collaborative, inclusive culture to support Dentons’ ambitious goals and the diverse needs of clients across its global network.
Raas takes the reins from Tomasz Dąbrowski, who has served as European CEO since 2014. Under Dąbrowski’s leadership, Dentons achieved significant growth, doubling its revenue and expanding its partner base. His tenure also saw the opening of key offices in Amsterdam, Düsseldorf, Luxembourg, Milan, Munich, Rome, and Tbilisi and a strategic focus on strengthening Dentons’ capabilities across major Western European markets. His vision and commitment to client service positioned Dentons as a leading legal advisor in Europe and Central Asia.
Expressing her gratitude, Raas commented on her commitment to “build on Dąbrowski’s exceptional legacy” and to drive Dentons’ growth and innovation to serve an increasingly diverse client base. She emphasized the importance of adapting Dentons’ global brand to meet emerging needs in a dynamic legal landscape, reinforcing the firm’s reputation across its expansive network of over 80 locations worldwide.
Dąbrowski conveyed his support for Raas’s appointment, expressing confidence that her professionalism, expertise, and strategic acumen make her the ideal leader to continue Dentons’ upward trajectory in Europe. He reflected on his tenure with pride and expressed optimism for the future under Raas’s leadership.
As Raas steps into her new role, Dentons clients and teams across Europe and Central Asia can look forward to a new chapter of growth and excellence, with a focus on building a responsive and innovative service experience in the region’s rapidly evolving markets.
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