Mr O’Malley – a highly regarded lawyer who had been a partner at the firm for 13 years – stepped down from the position he held for just 14 months 10 days ago saying that he would not stay on in another capacity when he leaves the partnership on 31 December.

'Best interests'

Mr Fuller told Lawyers Weekly that he and Mr O’Malley remain ‘good friends’ despite media reports claiming the relationship between the men had become strained.
Mr Fuller added that the departure of Mr O’Malley was in the ‘best interests’ of the firm.
Lawyers Weekly also pressed Mr Fuller on suggestions that KWM is set to merge with UK-based global firm SJ Berwin and the firm’s alleged failed merger talks with Singaporean firm WongPartnership, but Mr Fuller declined to comment on what he called ‘market speculation and rumour’.