PwC Legal is expanding into the US through the launch of a new law firm in Washington DC.
The accountancy giant’s legal arm is setting up an independent offering named ILC Legal, but cannot open under its own name for regulatory reasons.
ILC Legal will form part of the PwC network and will provide advice to US corporates on global transactions and other issues.
UK-based partner Richard Edmundson will relocate to Washington DC in the next few weeks to open the firm. The ex-Clifford Chance lawyer leads PwC Legal’s international business reorganisations practice and has been a partner at the company since 1996.
The US office is expected to consist initially of around six to seven lawyers, although an increase is headcount is expected.
PwC Legal’s UK senior partner Shirley Brookes said PwC Legal was “making the most of the market opportunity” with the launch.
In the past year, PwC Legal has focused its expansion particularly on the Asia-Pacific region. It entered Indonesia in July, adding local law firm Melli Darsa & Co (MDC) to its network. Earlier in the year, PwC Legal also opened in Hong Kong with the hire of King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) partner David Tiang and O’Melveny & Myers partner Gigi Woo.
Last September, PwC Legal added Singapore to its network as well after hiring two senior partners from Ashurst and Norton Rose Fulbright.
