DLA Piper's former global co-head of litigation and regulatory Neil Gerrard has drafted in Herbert Smith to advise as his dispute with his former firm over his move to Dechert prepares to enter arbitration.

The City firm is advising Gerrard (pictured) alongside Mark Howard QC of Brick Court Chambers.

Stephenson Harwood's litigation head John Fordham is advising DLA on the dispute, which centres on the terms of Gerrard's departure to Dechert, which was announced in March this year.

The hearing is expected to take place later this year with partners at the firms suggesting neither side is likely to back down.

As previously reported by Legal Week, Gerrard handed in his notice in late March, formally joining Dechert on 23 April – a date which had been discussed with clients. However, DLA served Gerrard with notice of arbitration after asking Gerrard to serve a longer notice period including gardening leave.

In addition to serving notice of arbitration to Gerrard, DLA also declined to transfer across client records for matters Gerrard is currently working on. Gerrard is still listed as a partner on DLA's website.

One partner said: "I know DLA are not going to let this one go and Gerrard is certainly ready for a fight. The concern that I would have is what effect this is going to have on the clients, who are already confused because his profile is on two websites at two different firms."

DLA has since appointed Sheffield managing partner Stephen Sly as joint global head of litigation and regulatory alongside London-based co-head Matthew Saunders.

DLA, Gerrard and Dechert declined to comment.