O'Melveny & Myers' London partner Sherri Snelson has left the firm after ten years amid its merger talks with Allen & Overy. She has joined White & Case's New York banking practice.

At O'Melveny Snelson focused on debt finance transactions, representing both borrowers and credit providers and is also experienced in financial restructuring and insolvency work.

She was previously a partner at Fried Frank and also an associate at fellow U.S. firms Mayer Brown and McGuireWoods.

Her departure leaves O'Melveny's London office with eight partners, according to the firm's website.

Allen & Overy and Los-Angeles-based O'Melveny's merger talks were reported almost a year ago. A successful deal would create a transatlantic giant with 3000 lawyers and combined revenues of £2 billion ($2.6 billion)—but sources have recently raised questions over the likelihood of a merger taking place.

“Sherri is a talented lawyer with an impressive background in complex financial transactions,” White & Case banking head Eric Leicht said. “She will play a key role in helping us further expand our practice and strengthen our capabilities, particularly in the lending and private equity spaces.”

White & Case has a five-year global strategy to expand its capabilities in London and New York.

Its U.K. hires last year included JP Morgan Chase & Co. executive director and assistant general counsel Julia Smithers Excell, Herbert Smith Freehills projects partner Simon Caridia, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner contentious construction and engineering partner David Robertson, and Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft London litigation partner Steven Baker.

A spokesperson for O'Melveny said, “We wish her well.”