Deloitte, the Big Four professional services firm has hired a former magic circle partner to lead its assault on the legal services market.
As reported by Law Gazette, the firm announced yesterday the appointment of Michael Castle as managing partner for Deloitte Legal in the UK.
Deloitte was the last of the Big Four to launch a UK legal business when it announced plans last year to use its technology and advisory skills to “transform legal services”.
Castle previously worked at Allen & Overy as a former banking partner.
Deloitte said it aims to ‘fill the digital gap’ in the legal industry, combining legal advice with legal managed services, technology and consultancy.
Commenting on the move, Castle told City A.M.: “Castle said: “Deloitte Legal is ideally placed to fill the digital gap in the legal market and provide legal solutions to tackle these complexities head on.
“By drawing not only on our legal expertise, but also on our deep understanding of the latest technology and tried-and-tested ways of improving processes, we can help legal departments improve efficiencies and increase the value they deliver back to their business.”
The UK based legal team now has more than 60 client-facing lawyers and 125 fee earners. They said that Castle is the first permanent lead partner.
Globally, Deloitte Legal has 2,500 professionals in 85 countries, a geographical footprint that outstrips even the largest multinational law firms like Baker McKenzie and Dentons.
Matt Ellis, managing partner for tax and legal, Deloitte North West Europe, told Law Gazette: ‘We have sky-high ambitions for Deloitte Legal in the UK, and this is why it is excellent to have someone of Michael’s calibre at the helm to build our presence.’
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