It is unclear whether the merger between Dacheng and Dentons will be a template for the future development of the legal industry. But it has already prompted Chinese law firms to reflect on their overseas strategies and begin exploring similar tie-up opportunities.

Zhun Lun Law Firm, the sixth-largest Chinese law firm in terms of mergers and acquisitions business, said it is also mulling plans to team up with an international firm or to join an international network.

Wu Peng, managing partner of Zhun Lun, said the firm's overseas presence has been limited and it is reorienting its global strategy in a cautious manner as cross-border business has already accounted for half of its business.