KPMG Law U.S. is seeking approval under Arizona rules that allow non-lawyer firm ownership, something the Big Four networks cannot currently do in the U.S. although a similar regulatory approach has been in place in England and Australia for more than a decade.

Much like in the U.K., Arizona allows non-lawyers to have an economic interest or decision-making authority in firms offering legal services, so KPMG Law’s licence could be a game changer if approved, allowing the firm to practice law across the US.