PwC strengthens offering to in-house sector

A 'big four' accountancy giant has stepped up the sector's challenge in the in-house sector with two partner hires. PwC has announced that Andrew Giverin and Jason McQuillen, co-founders of Radiant Law, a boutique firm that specialises in advising on technology and other outsourcing contracts, have joined its legal practice.

PwC says the pair will build on PwC's existing 'new law' capability, designing and developing 'managed legal services solutions' for large corporations. The idea is to help clients 'shape their legal function and free up their in-house lawyers' time to focus on more high-value and strategic work'.

McQuillen said: 'The insights, full service capability and technology enabled solutions that PwC can bring to bear make it uniquely placed to help solve the core challenges facing large in-house legal teams and better align them to the business.'

McQuillen said PwC was 'the natural next step' for himself and Giverin.

Shirley Brookes, head of legal services at PwC, told the Gazette that the legal arm is constantly 'keeping an eye on' technological developments 'to make sure we take something new to clients'. PwC already offers a contract digitisation tool as part of its new law service. 

The team also keeps a close eye on developments in other parts of the business which may have a potential legal element that could help in-house lawyers manage legal risk, Brookes added.

The latest developments at PwC come two months after the accountancy firm secured a coveted spot on a government panel to provide general legal advice services.

Last year Brookes predicted that multi-disciplinary practices will become more common in the legal sector over the next five years.