Dentons is set to combine with two new South American firms in a bid to further strengthen its Central and South American footprint following a series of tie-ups on the continent.

The firm announced that it is preparing to merge with Argentinian firm Rattagan Macchiavello Arocena and Uruguay-based firm Jiménez de Aréchaga, Viana & Brause, following approval by partners and subject to meeting regulatory requirements

The move comes less than two months after Dentons announced its merger with Honduras-based firm Gustavo Zapaca y Asociados, and further boosts the firm's presence in South America following tie-ups in Venezuela and Chile earlier this year.

Elliott Portnoy, global CEO of Dentons, said in a statement that the decision to expand its LatAm presence was driven by clients who "have explicitly identified the Argentina and Uruguay markets as priorities".

Buenos Aires-based Rattagan Macchiavello Arocena comprises 13 partners, while Uruguayan firm Jiménez de Aréchaga, Viana & Brause, based in Montevideo, is composed of 10 partners.

Both firms are recognized for their work in corporate and M&A, banking and finance, litigation and dispute resolution among others.

The firm said that the tie-ups are expected to go live in the next several months.

In recent months, Dentons has also increased its presence across Asia, Oceania and Africa through combinations with local law firms in New Zealand, South Korea and Zimbabwe.