Davis Polk pulls Hogan Lovells' M&A chief days before the Cadwalader merger closes

Davis Polk hired the global head of Hogan Lovells' M&A practice as a partner in Washington, and he is walking out after three decades just days before Hogan Lovells closes its merger with Cadwalader on July 1. The rest of the run stayed busy: Kirkland brought in a Quinn Emanuel partner to lead its Supreme Court and appellate group, BakerHostetler added a healthcare and business partner in Chicago, and Winston Taylor added an IP litigator in Washington. Kennedys also lifted out a four-partner trial team from Tyson and Mendes in the US. Every merger produces partners who want out, and the senior people tend to move first.