King & Wood Mallesons SJ Berwin's (KWM) former corporate head Steven Davis has quit to join the London office of Proskauer Rose, four years after he was an instrumental figure in merger discussions between the two firms.

At Proskauer, Davis will join former legacy SJ Berwin colleagues funds partners Nigel van Zyl and Oliver Rochman, who made the move in July 2011, eight months after the mooted merger was called off.

Davis was among a clutch of senior figures at the legacy City firm who spearheaded talks with Proskauer in 2010. The group also included managing partner Rob Day, senior partner Stephen Kon and litigation head Craig Pollack.

He stood down as corporate chief at KWM last December after seven years in the role when was replaced by new co-practice heads Michael Goldberg and Richard Lever.

Davis, whose starting date at Proskauer is yet to be decided, is the latest in a string of big name departures from the corporate group at KWM. In May private equity partner Tim Wright left to join DLA Piper, while corporate finance partner Ed Harris defected to Hogan Lovells in February.

"Steven has been a tremendous force both within the corporate department and firm over the years. We recognise and appreciate his contribution and wish him well," said Kon.

"Since Michael Goldberg and Richard Lever took over the leadership of our London corporate practice in January, along with Maxence Bloch as European and Middle East Head of Corporate, the group has been focused on growing the practice both in terms of size and client base and actively engaged in recruiting partners who are excited by the firm's strategy and future aspirations."

In a bid to bolster the City corporate group, the firm will relocate Australia-based global practice co-ordinator Tim Bednall from early next year on a two-year secondment. Shanghai corporate partner Mike Wang will also transfer on a "long-term secondment" to London.

Commenting on Bednall's move, Kon said: "Tim has held significant management roles within our Australian firm and has a tremendous FTSE client base. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will assist us in continuing to integrate and grow our corporate practice and our business more broadly."

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