Local law firm Kelly & Co has joined national independent Australian firm HWL Ebsworth Lawyers.

Aiming for a 1 July 2014 start date, the 14 Kelly & Co partners will be joined by their legal and support teams in moving to HWL Ebsworth to add another national firm to the South Australian legal market.

Juan Martinez, HWL Ebsworth Managing Partner, said a physical presence in South Australia had become increasingly important.

“A significant number of our clients have an interest or presence in South Australia and this office launch is consistent with our strategy of partnering with our clients in all legal areas of importance to them in all regions of Australia,” he said.

“Kelly & Co is an ideal fit for HWL Ebsworth.

“We will look to further expand the Adelaide offering in the coming months to ensure that we can offer our clients access to market leading experts in areas of practice additional to those currently serviced by Kelly & Co.”

Jamie Restas, chairman of partners of Kelly & Co, said the move would allow the firm to offer its clients access to a broader range of high quality legal services across the east and west coasts of Australia.

The decision by Kelly & Co is subject to regulatory approval.

The result will give HBL Elsworth a fully integrated national firm with 905 staff in seven locations – Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Norwest (North West Sydney), Perth and Sydney.