Jon Pedersen, the partner who last week resigned from top New York firm Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom for Linklaters, has pulled out of the move, scuppering one of the most high profile partner raids of recent months.

Pedersen, who has been a partner at Skaddens’ Hong Kong office for six years, was set to join Linklaters to expand its US law capability. The two firms have cited “personal” and “family” reasons behind Pedersen’s sudden change of heart.