Weil Gotshal & Manges City finance partner Michael Nicklin is set to leave the firm to join Ropes & Gray in Hong Kong.

Nicklin will relocate to the region to take over the role of office banking head at the rival US firm, with current head Alison Bomberg set to move back to Ropes' Boston office later this year.

Nicklin has been at Weil since 2000 and made partner at the firm in 2007.

He specialises in acquisition finance and has experience in debt restructurings, debt buybacks, bank and bond deals and bridge finance. His joining date is yet to be confirmed.

Ropes & Gray London office co-head Maurice Allen said: "As Alison was returning to the US, she had been looking for a suitable banking partner to assume that role in the office. From a London perspective, with our office growing here and the natural links with Hong Kong and China generally, Michael's hire will only help us in continuing the synergies between the two offices.

"If the business continues to develop in Asia, and as London builds out its private equity practice, I am sure the firm will consider some modest expansion in the region."

Nicklin's departure will leave Weil with 20 partners in its City practice.

The news follows the hire of Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft restructuring partner James Douglas for Ropes & Gray's City practice in November 2010.