Norton Rose is set to lose one of its most high-profile litigation partners, with Antony Dutton set to join the City office of Dechert after resigning from the top 10 UK firm today (5 January).

Dutton (pictured), who has been at Norton Rose for 22 years, recently stepped down as head of the firm's global dispute resolution department to take on a role on the firm's partnership council, which he was voted onto in April last year. He also sat on the firm's executive committee during his time as head of the department between 2007 and 2010.

Dutton has also held litigation-focused client relationships with key Norton Rose clients including HSBC, BNP Paribas and Royal Bank of Scotland, as well as the Ithmaar Banking Group. The two firms have yet to agree on Dutton's start date with Dechert.

His practice focuses on international disputes, with a particular emphasis on banking, corporate, insolvency and trust litigation. He is a UK-qualified solicitor and also previously practised as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand.

Andrew Levander, chairman of Dechert's policy committee, said the firm had hired Dutton on the basis of his experience in the financial services and litigation areas.

He said: "His wealth of international experience will be a tremendous asset as we continue to expand our international litigation and disputes practice in London."

Dutton said he opted to join Dechert because of its reputation in litigation, including in his focus area of financial institutions.

He said: "Dechert has one of the leading global dispute resolution practices. The firm's core banking and financial institutions capability and its sector focus in traded commodities and mining and metals will help me better serve my clients."

The Norton Rose disputes resolution department, which since last year has been headed up by former London managing partner Deirdre Walker, now has around 30 partners.

Dechert has recently made a number of eye-catching senior hires to expand its London office, most notably adding DLA Piper's global co-head of litigation Neil Gerrard, who has joined the firm as litigation co-head after several months of dispute over his exit terms from DLA Piper.

The firm also recruited DLA Piper trade partner Miriam Gonzalez as the new head of its EU trade and EU government affairs practice.