KPMG Legal has launched in Luxembourg with the hire of Charles Russell Speechlys’ former office head, David Louis, and a team of three other lawyers.

The move coincides with the opening by US firm Debevoise & Plimpton of an office in the jurisdiction, with both firms targeting funds work in Europe’s leading funds centre.

The launch provides the accountancy giant’s legal network, which boasts more than 2,700 legal professionals, with its 80th jurisdiction and follows on from launches in Thailand in February and in Hong Kong and Shanghai last year.

The office is structured as an independent legal entity under the name KPMG Law Luxembourg, according to a KPMG statement, operating separately from KPMG Luxembourg Société Coopérative from a ‘legal, financial, economic and corporate points of view’. 

Louis and his team will advise on all areas of corporate law with a specific focus on investment funds, including formation, investments and regulatory compliance.

Louis joined legacy firm Speechly Bircham in 2012 as a partner and head of its investment funds practice from Luxembourg firm Vandenbulke, where he was a counsel.

“I am delighted to embark on this new adventure with a fully-fledged team who will be able to provide value-added services,” said Louis, who left his old firm in April.  “We will be focused on our core skills and give premium assistance in our legal services. We are committed to assisting our clients in these challenging times by adapting ourselves to the evolution of the legal environment." 

Joining him at KPMG are senior associate Jean Rollin — who left Charles Russell Speechlys in March — and associates André Mai and Chloé Poncin, who switched firms this month.  

Meanwhile, Jean-Baptiste Beauvoir-Planson has replaced Louis as head of Charles Russell Speechlys’ 10-lawyer office. He joined the firm in July 2018 from Dutch independent firm Loyens & Loeff’s Luxembourg office.

A spokeswoman said the office continued to perform well and had ‘exciting plans for expansion’. 

She added: “Our Luxembourg partners are eager to continue the growth seen in all key practices, while expanding further in the funds space. The entire office is enthusiastic and strongly motivated by the opportunities ahead.”