KPMG Legal split sees Corrs snatch lawyer duo

Fallout from the Australian arm of KLegal has begun, with departures from both KPMG and KPMG Legal to Australian firm Corrs Chambers Westgarth. KPMG tax partner Kevin Reilly joins as a senior consultant with the firm, while KPMG Legal lawyer Andrew Percival joins as special counsel.

The pair worked closely together at the accounting giant on international trade matters, advising both companies and bodies such as the World Trade Organisation.

KPMG Legal in Australia hopes to retain links with its parent company. While the legal arm will rebrand and set up a separate legal structure, it is understood that the two organisations will continue to work together as an alliance in the same manner. The two will continue to share the same office and pitch jointly for work.

The legal arm now has around 14 partners.

KPMG chief executive Lindsay Maxsted told Australian publication Business Review Weekly at the time of the split that revenue at the accounting giant would fall by around A$20m (£8.3m) as a result of the split.