Big Four auditing firm KMPG is scaling up its legal operations in eastern Europe by absorbing Romanian law firm Fernbach & Partners, in a move to create "the leading technology, IP and privacy practice in Romania".

The move sees Fernbach & Partners founder Cristiana Fernbach join KPMG Legal Romania as coordinating partner of the practice.

Fernbach & Partners focuses on technology law, data protection, intellectual property and digital media, with a 100% focus on new technologies – the first firm of its kind in Romania. The firm's portfolio includes fintech and blockchain technologies, among others.

Fernbach said in a statement: "For the past year, we have grown a strong, representative practice for the Romanian market, in a most transformative and impactful industry.

"Thirty percent of our business involves enthusiastic entrepreneurs looking at other European jurisdictions. Joining the global network of KPMG Legal feels like a natural next step for our development."

The news follows KPMG's global expansion of its legal services arm. Earlier this year, the Big Four giant appointed former King & Wood Mallesons global managing partner Stuart Fuller as the new head of its worldwide legal offering, based in Australia.

KPMG's legal services arm currently has more than 1,850 lawyers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, more than 300 in the Americas, and more than 250 in Asia-Pacific.