Third partner jumps ship from McDermott London

McDermott Will & Emery has lost its third London partner within a month after IP litigator Duncan Curley quit the firm to set up his own consultancy.

At the start of May, capital markets partners Andrew Croxford and Andrew Caunt defected to join White & Case.

McDermott London IP head Larry Cohen said: "The parting of the ways has been 100 per cent amicable. He reached the age of 40 and decided on a lifestyle change."

Curley formally left McDermott on 31 May, but is still working on an academic opinion for one of the firm's clients. Curley joined the firm from Herbert Smith six years ago as an associate, and became a partner in 2004.

While at the firm, Curley advised sportswear retailer Stonestyle on its 2006 parallel importing dispute against Sportswear in the Court of Appeal.

Hiroshi Sheraton, who was promoted to the partnership at the start of the year, will take over Curley's trademark, copyright and patent litigation practice.

"We've replaced Duncan with Hiroshi Sheraton," said Cohen. "We may be out in the market as well, but it all depends on work flows."

Curley's departure leaves McDermott with three IP partners in London.