A team of about 30 lawyers is leaving K&L Gates' highly-rated employment practice in Australia, according to people with knowledge of the situation, in what looks set to be one of the largest mass defections from an international law firm this year.

The team spans various offices and includes between six and eight partners, according to one former and one current partner.

The departures were announced internally about two weeks ago and the team may be looking to form their own practice, one person said.

"We can confirm there have been some recent partner resignations from our Australian labour, employment and workplace safety team. As we are still in discussions with this team regarding their departure, we are unable to provide additional information at this time," a firm spokesperson said in a statement.

"Regardless, our Australian labour, employment and workplace safety practice will remain strong and will continue to be a core area of service for K&L Gates clients in Australia and globally."

The firm has four offices across Australia, located in Sydney, Perth, Brisbane and Melbourne. According to its website, it has 237 lawyers in the country, including 42 in its highly rated labour, employment and workplace safety team.

K&L Gates entered Australia by way of a merger with national firm Middletons in 2013. Earlier this year, the firm lost a six-lawyer real estate team in Australia, as well as a corporate partner in Perth and an intellectual property partner in Melbourne.

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K&L Gates Loses Six Lawyers Across Australian Offices