Weil Gotshal & Manges has expanded its London restructuring practice with the hire of a partner from rival Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld.

Restructuring partner Neil Devaney joins the firm after more than five years as a partner at Akin Gump.

According to a statement by Weil announcing his arrival, Devaney will "play a leadership role" in its business finance and restructuring practice.

Prior to joining Akin Gump in 2014 , he spent more than six years as a partner at now-defunct Bingham McCutchen. He also previously spent three years apiece at Hogan Lovells and Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom, according to his LinkedIn profile.

His practice focuses on cross-border finance, restructuring and insolvency.

Weil's London managing partner Mike Francies said in a statement: "Neil will work closely with our highly regarded team in London and other senior business finance and restructuring leaders around the world, to continue to build out our platform in Europe and globally."

Weil has been adding partners to its London office following departures last year. It recently hired Sidley Austin private equity partner Mark Thompson, Linklaters corporate M&A heavyweight David Avery-Gee and Ashurst banking and finance partner Paul Stewart in London.

At the beginning of the year, Weil's private equity partner Samantha McGonigle and tax partner David Irvine left the firm. Irvine left for Kirkland & Ellis, while McGonigle went on to co-found a private equity fund.

An Akin Gump spokesperson said: "We thank Neil for his contributions to the firm and wish him all the best in his future endeavours."