Heller Ehrman White & McAuliffe's high profile Venture Law Group (VLG) technology practice has seen another departure with founder and frontman Craig Johnson standing down.

Johnson, the former Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati partner who set up VLG in 1993, had led the 26-partner practice into the merger with San Francisco-based Heller in 2003.

Johnson, one of California's best-known corporate technology lawyers, said he was going to retire from the law to pursue business interests.

The departure comes after Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe this year hired eight former VLG partners, including four of the other founding partners: John Bautista, David Lee, Michael Morrissey and Edmund Ruffin.

The defections are seen as a setback to Heller's technology ambitions, coming less than two years after its tie-up with VLG.

The technology boutique had previously rejected a merger offer from Orrick.

Johnson will continue to serve as chairman of the Heller Ehrman VLG Advisory Board.