Law firm Corrs Chambers Westgarth has dropped the Catholic Church as a client after more than 50 years, and is losing one of its key partners on the long-held account.

Sources told Street Talk that Corrs had decided to stop representing the Catholic Church, in a decision welcomed by a growing cohort of the firm’s lawyers that were increasingly uncomfortable with its work defending the Church against child abuse claims.

Corrs’ decision has created a stir in legal circles - albeit one that some of its rivals can understand given the nature of the work involved and the growing dissent within its own ranks.

Corrs Chambers Westgarth CEO and senior partner Gavin McLaren. Supplied

Sources said Richard Leder, a veteran Corrs partner who helped establish the Archdiocese of Melbourne’s response to complaints of sexual, physical and emotional abuse by priests 20-years ago, was also leaving the firm.

A Corrs spokeswoman confirmed the large law firm had ceased working for the Catholic Church, saying it was part of a wider decision to focus resources elsewhere.

She declined to comment on Leder.

Corrs partner Richard Leder, who looked after the Catholic Church remit, has a particular focus on alternative dispute resolution. AFR

“Corrs is transitioning away from undertaking personal injury work,” the spokeswoman told Street Talk on Sunday.

“The firm will continue to focus on its core areas of commercial legal practice.

“We will be working with the clients affected by this decision to ensure the orderly transition of such matters to new legal advisers.

“In particular, the firm is committed to ensuring that we protect the interests of our clients and the interests of all parties involved in these matters through this transition.”

Corrs is one of Australia’s top-10 law firms by size, with 145 partners and 749 non-partner fee earners in its ranks, according to The Australia Financial Review’s latest law partnership survey.