The German law arms of Ernst & Young (E&Y) and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) have both been hit by fresh departures, despite E&Y affiliate Luther Menold voting to accept further integration with its big four parent’s legal network.

A 2 July vote by Luther’s German partnership saw 80% backing for the strategy of building closer practice and management links between the EY Law Alliance and E&Y, despite international moves to clamp down on audit-linked practices.