KPMG has launched KPMG Law US, the first law firm owned by a Big Four accounting firm in the U.S. The new firm will operate as an independent subsidiary of KPMG LLP, providing legal managed services, legal operations consulting and AI-powered legal technology solutions. 

Leveraging KPMG’s global legal network in more than 80 jurisdictions, KPMG Law US will integrate artificial intelligence and the KPMG Digital Gateway platform to enhance analytics, reporting and legal service delivery. The firm will initially focus on serving clients in Arizona, where KPMG has already established a strong presence. 

“KPMG Law US is uniquely positioned to transform the delivery of legal services,” stated Rema Serafi, vice chair in tax at KPMG LLP. “By combining cutting-edge artificial intelligence and advanced technology solutions with legal services, we are proud to be a first mover with this capability and to offer the most holistic range of tech-enabled services in the marketplace for our clients' evolving needs.”

According to The Wall Street Journal, KPMG is taking advantage of Arizona's Alternative Business Structure program that removed a restriction existing in almost every U.S. state that does not allow nonlawyers to own a law firm. The program, which started in 2021, is aimed at expanding access to legal services, mostly to address the lack of lawyers available to assist in issues including family law or immigration.

After the state supreme court's approval, Accounting Today said that KPMG plans to expand beyond Arizona to other parts of the U.S. by leveraging Arizona's laws and its alternative business structure.

In a similar move, Aprilo, a private equity-backed Top 25 firm, has partnered with Radix Law to form Aprilo Legal LLC. They are now working together to determine the optimal structure for collaboration under the rules of the Arizona program.