Addleshaw Goddard's head of insurance Mark Pring is set to join Reed Smith as a partner in its London office.

Pring has been head of insurance at Addleshaws since January 2015, when previous insurance litigation head Richard Leedham moved to Mishcon de Reya.

Leedham was later followed to Mishcon by insurance litigation partner Sonia Campbell, who resigned from the firm in February 2016.

Pring's move will mean that Addleshaws has no dedicated insurance partners.

Pring will be replaced in his role by litigation managing associate Richard Wise, who specialises in insurance disputes.

An Addleshaws spokesperson said the firm was "sorry" to be losing Pring.

He added: "The ambitions for our insurance disputes practice are unaffected and we will of course continue to develop the team through the right mix of sponsoring and promoting internal talent, and also acquiring laterally if necessary."

Peter Hardy, Reed Smith's Europe, Middle East and Africa disputes head, said: "Mark's appointment emphasises our commitment to building upon our existing market-leading brand for policyholder coverage work. His experience and particular understanding of the Middle Eastern market is a natural fit for our global footprint and international client base."

Pring has been a partner at Addleshaws since 2012. His practice focuses on litigation and arbitration in the insurance, energy and infrastructure sectors.

Prior to joining Addleshaws he was an international partner in US firm Chadbourne & Parke's London and Dubai offices.

Recent hires for Addleshaws include real estate partner Ian Hindhaugh, who joined the firm in the City from Jones Day in March; and Elvan Hussein, who joined the firm's corporate practice as a partner from Allen & Overy, where she was a senior associate.

Earlier this year, US firm Reed Smith had a round of merger talks with Philadelphia-headquartered Pepper Hamilton but the two sides were unable to come to an agreement and talks were broken off.