Wendela Raas elected Europe CEO at Dentons

Dentons’ Europe Partners have elected Amsterdam-based partner Wendela Raas as the firm’s Europe CEO. Her term will begin on November 1, 2024. In her new role, she will be responsible for the leadership and strategy of the Europe Region which includes 23 offices in 18 countries in Europe and Central Asia.

Wendela Raas was the Managing Partner of Amsterdam-based Boekel De Nerée which combined with Dentons in 2017. She is a member of Dentons’ Europe Region Board and Global Board and serves as Global Vice Chair.  She also serves as the Global Leader of the Consumer Products and Services sector group.

Wendela Raas has 25 years of experience advising on real estate law, with a focus on commercial leases, litigation and transactional work. She is recognized as a leading lawyer for real estate in the Netherlands by Chambers Europe and as a leading partner for the retail sector by The Legal 500.

She has a strong focus on driving talent and greater inclusion, having played an active role in Dentons’ talent development programs as a mentor and advisor.

She succeeds Tomasz Dąbrowski, who has served as Europe Region CEO since 2014. Under his leadership, Dentons has experienced exceptional growth across Europe and Central Asia, more than doubling revenue and partner count.  During his tenure, Dentons expanded its footprint in the region, adding offices in Amsterdam, Dusseldorf, Luxembourg, Milan, Munich, Rome and Tbilisi, and strengthened capabilities across the region, particularly in key Western European markets.

Wendela Raas commented on her election, “I am thrilled and grateful to have been entrusted by my fellow partners to lead our Firm across Europe and Central Asia. With offices in 18 countries across Europe, Dentons offers clients extensive coverage and high-quality legal solutions across the region. I thank Tomasz Dąbrowski for his immense contribution to our Firm over the last 11 years and I look forward to continuing to enhance and differentiate our brand and being the go-to firm for our clients’ evolving needs within Europe and Central Asia and across the more than 80 countries globally where Dentons has a presence.”

Tomasz Dąbrowski commented, “It has truly been an honour to serve as Europe CEO for more than a decade.  I am very pleased to be handing over the reins to Wendela as my successor.  She is a consummate professional, a highly regarded lawyer, and an experienced leader and I believe she is the right person to lead our teams across Europe into the future.”

The election of Wendela Raas as Europe CEO closely follows the recent appointment of Kate Barton as Global CEO at Dentons.

Commenting on the announcement, Kate Barton, Dentons Global CEO-elect said, “In my short time with Dentons, I have seen Wendela demonstrate true leadership capability and a collaborative spirit. I congratulate her on her election as Europe Region CEO and I look forward to partnering with her as she focuses on elevating our brand and client service across our Europe Region – one of the Firm’s crown jewels”.