Herbert Smith Freehills London litigation partner Kevin Lloyd has resigned from the firm to join Debevoise & Plimpton, marking the second high-profile departure for a US firm since the merger between legacy Herbert Smith and Freehills went live in October.

Lloyd, who is understood to have handed in his notice in recent weeks, is expected to join Debevoise as a partner next year, when he will work alongside Debevoise's Europe and Asia litigation chair Lord Goldsmith QC. His start date has yet to be confirmed.

Lloyd rejoined legacy Herbert Smith as a partner in 1999 after leaving the firm in 1988 to join Australia's legacy Mallesons, which subsequently merged with China's King & Wood.

During his time in practice he has advised high-profile clients including Ernst & Young, Deloitte and failed firm Arthur Andersen. He also previously sat on legacy Herbert Smith's governance council – the body appointed to deal with policy and strategy issues, including oversight of the Freehills merger.

Lloyd's resignation comes after one of Herbert Smith's best known junior corporate partners, Will Pearce, announced his departure from the firm last month for Davis Polk & Wardwell.

The hire, which will make Pearce the third English law partner in Davis Polk's London arm, was seen as a blow to Herbert Smith.

Debevoise has 20 partners in London, according to its website. The firm reported global revenues of $675.5m (£419.3m) and an average profit per equity partner figure of $2.075m (£1.3m) for 2011.

In a statement, Goldsmith said: "Kevin brings unparalleled expertise, having represented clients on some of the largest and most high-profile litigation cases in the world.

"His experience in virtually all areas of commercial litigation – combined with his expertise in complex, cross-border issues and the financial services industry – provides him with a unique perspective and skill-set that will strengthen our entire litigation practice and enhance our position in the London market."

For more, see Davis Polk to strengthen UK practice with Herbert Smith corporate hire.