According to reports in The Lawyer magazine Allen & Overy's US corporate finance head Jim Wickenden has left the firm, it is believed he is taking a sabbatical.
Wickenden joined the firm from Herbert Smith in 2011 alongside fellow US qualified partner Adam Wells.
His focus is on capital mnarkets and at the time his hire was part of Allen & Overy's attempt to strengthen its US securities practice in London.
During his time at the 'magic circle' firm Wickenden also spent time in Hong Kong, when he was sent to provide stability to the firm's Asia practice following the deaprture of James Grandolfo to Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCoy.
Following Wickenden's departure the position of head of US corporate finance will pass to London based high-yield specialist Kevin Muzilla.
The firm recently added to its US securities and high-yield capability in London with the hire of Matthias Baudisch from Cravath Swaine & Moore.