Kaufman Dolowich & Voluck, a midsize law firm with a national presence, has brought on a group of four lawyers from a small Philadelphia law firm, including a partner who will chair the firm's new consumer financial services practice group.

Richard Perr, who practiced at Philadelphia firm Fineman Krekstein & Harris for more than two decades, made the move to Kaufman Dolowich along with three associates—Monica Littman, Graeme Hogan and Matthew Selmasska. In addition to running the new practice group, he will serve as a co-managing partner of the firm's Philadelphia office.

According to the firm, the addition doubles the size of its Philadelphia office and brings its presence in the region to 14 lawyers—it also has an office in Blue Bell. Firmwide, Kaufman Dolowich has 179 lawyers in 11 locations.

Perr said his practice is national, and Kaufman Dolowich's locations across the country were a draw, as well as its stable of lawyers who work with regulatory bodies and who handle financial services matters. He said the increased geographic footprint will simplify litigation in other jurisdictions, including California, New York, Florida and Chicago.

"We're in the position over the next 20-some-odd years to be able to not only serve our clients at a higher level, but also expand our practice over time," Perr said. "A lot of our clients really welcome the opportunity to have their matters worked on more efficiently."

Perr said his clients include collection agencies, data furnishers and technology companies that work within the consumer financial services industry, as well as law firms and other entities.

"They get sued all over the place and being able to represent them in every place is crucial," he said.

"There is great synergy between KDV and Rick's practices in consumer financial services, professional liability and commercial litigation," said Kaufman Dolowich co-managing partner Michael A. Kaufman in a statement Wednesday. "The addition of this team is an optimum way for us to take the next step in growing our presence in Philadelphia and South Jersey, expanding the firm's practice focus and enhancing three leading practices."

David Fineman of Fineman Krekstein said the departure of Perr and his group is part of the evolution of his own firm.

"His consumer financial practice really did not fit in with our vision of growth, which really is that of a commercial firm," Fineman said, explaining that includes work for homeowners associations and real estate developers, and a sophisticated estate planning practice.