Berwin Leighton Paisner's head of restructuring & insolvency Ben Larkin has quit the firm to join Jones Day, marking the third BLP partner the US firm has hired in the last six months.

Larkin joined BLP in 2002 and has acted on a number of high-profile restructurings including for TXU Energy, Le Meredien hotel group, and the Blue Bird Body Company.

His appointment follows the hires of former BLP global private equity head Raymond McKeeve, who joined Jones Day last August and private equity partner Michael Weir, who followed in October.

Jones Day global restructuring head Paul Leake said: "Ben brings with him a wealth of experience that will be invaluable for the continuing development of our international practice. His arrival will help us strengthen our position as one of the premier international restructuring practices."

Larkin had been cited as a potential replacement for BLP's finance head Matthew Kellett who also left the firm in October. R&I partner Ben Jones will replace Larkin as the firm's group head.

Kellett's departure prompted the firm to carry out an independent review of its finance practice led by former Clifford Chance managing partner Tony Williams, now of legal consultants Jomati.

The review – which was expected to be completed by the end of last year – involved interviews with every partner in the practice. At the time the review was launched BLP said there would not be any partner cuts, but some could be re-deployed to other groups.