The firm will operate as an independent boutique practice and will seek to attract key clients from the East Coast.

The firm decided to leave because it was looking to broaden its boutique practices and attract key clients from the East Coast.

"It was a bit of a disappointment to see them go as the firm's been with the group since inception in 2001. We will continue to refer them work," said Russell Kennedy's principal Michael Gorton.

Since the departure has left the group with no Western Australian member firms, Kennedy Strang is welcoming expressions of interest. Ideal candidates would be full service WA-based firms with the ability to handle commercial, litigation and property work. "Cross-border M&A would be of high interest," said Gorton.

The Kennedy Strang Legal Group is a nationwide affiliation of state-based law firms and consists of Sydney firm Kemp Strang, Melbourne firm Russell Kennedy, Brisbane firm Thynne & Macartney and Adelaide firm Lynch Meyer.