Hogan Lovells global head of private equity Tom Whelan has resigned from the firm and is set to join McDermott Will & Emery.

Whelan resigned this week, according to two people with knowledge of the move. He is due to join McDermott after seeing out his notice period.

Whelan said in a statement: "I enjoyed my time at Hogan Lovells and I spent 13 terrific years with them. For me, this was the right time to move. McDermott has a reputation for doing excellent work, in particular in the global private equity and M&A markets, and providing top-quality client service which makes them an ideal fit."

He joined legacy Lovells as a partner in 2006 from DLA Piper and specialises in private equity, M&A, joint ventures and restructurings.

Two years after he joined Lovells, he headed up the team that won the firm its first major corporate deal for Rothschild, advising the bank on its sale of Five Arrows Commercial Finance to GE Commercial Finance.

Other major deals he has acted on during his time at the firm include advising ITV on its sale of social network site Friends Reunited.

In 2014, he succeeded Alan Greenough as global co-head of the firm's private equity practice.

He is the second private equity heavyweight partner to leave the firm recently for a U.S. rival, after London private equity head Ed Harris decamped for Paul Hastings earlier this year.

Hogan Lovells is currently undertaking the process of appointing a new CEO, as longstanding incumbent Steve Immelt prepares to step down next June.

McDemott London managing partner Hamid Yunis said in a statement: "We are always looking to build upon the strong practices we have in London and to add top-quality lawyers who are equally focused on providing world-class client service."

Hogan Lovells declined to comment.