Mass partner exodus hits K&L Gates, amid pay cuts at global law firm

Detailed summary

The Pittsburgh-headquartered firm has lost 11 per cent of its Australian partners in just 10 months, but its management is vowing growth and lateral hires.

Global law giant K&L Gates has lost more than 11 per cent of its Australian partners this year amid widespread disquiet over the firm’s weak international performance and cuts to take-home pay, despite strong local results.

The departures have erased three years of growth in just 10 months. Since February 2026, 10 of the Pittsburgh-headquartered firm’s Australian partners have exited for rivals, taking at least 20 lawyers with them, mostly in Sydney and Brisbane. The firm’s Australian partnership now numbers 71, down from 80 at the start of the year.

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