The firm's operating profits went up 69%.

K&L Gates grew operating profits across its offices' limited liability partnership (LLP) by more than 69% last year, the U.S. firm's limited liability accounts have revealed. 

The operating profits across its LLP hit £16.3 million in the 2018 financial year, compared to £9.6 million the previous year.

The accounts also show that the firm's turnover across the region grew more than 11% from £52.8 million in 2017 to £58.9 million in 2018.

The firm's profits available for division among its partnership more than doubled, rocketing by 258.7% to £8.7 million from £2.4 million in 2017.

But  the partnership had shrunk by 13% during the year – from a monthly average of 71 partners, to 62.

The accounts further indicate that the firm paid out 10% less to its highest-paid member compared to the previous year. The highest-paid partner's share of U.K. profits in the financial year ended in 2018 was £317,000, as opposed to £353,000 in 2017.

The firm's staff costs also increased slightly, up 3% from £15.7 million to £16.1 million in 2018.

During the year, the firm made a flurry of hires across its London offices, including a three-partner Ince energy disputes team.