Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft is set to bring in a high-profile team of energy and commodities partners from McDermott Will & Emery, including the firm's former London managing partner Doron Ezickson.

Ezickson (pictured) is set to join Cadwalader alongside a group of partners led by Washington-based Paul Pantano, who is a member of McDermott's management committee and head of the firm's energy & commodities advisory practice.

Pantano, who has previously served on McDermott's compensation and executive committee, is also co-head of the firm's client service team programme.

Ezickson, who is head of international for the energy & commodities advisory practice, led McDermott's London office during 2008-09 and is still based in the City.

Cadwalader London managing partner Angus Duncan commented: "We are delighted to have Doron join us in London to establish the firm's UK energy and commodities practice and assist with the firm's international expansion, not only in energy, but in our existing financial services, capital markets, international litigation and reorganisation practices. This new practice area for us plays to and enhances our strengths in London."

The partner group also includes Washington-based Gregory Mocek, who heads the enforcement defence team for the energy & commodities practice. It is unclear which other partners are leaving.

A spokesperson at McDermott said: "While we are sorry to see these partners go, these moves do not change McDermott's strong commitment to our many diverse clients operating within the global energy industry. To put things in perspective, the departing partners' total collections in 2010 amounted to a small percentage of firm revenue."

He added: "Whereas these departing partners focused mainly on commodities and derivatives trading for financial clients, McDermott's global energy capabilities are far broader than that. McDermott continues to represent some of the biggest names in the energy industry across a broad range of corporate, transactional, regulatory, enforcement, litigation, tax and other matters."

McDermott would not confirm the names of the other partners leaving the firm. Cadwalader was unavailable for comment.