The issue of top firms retiring out partners was placed firmly back on the agenda last week with the news that the London office of US firm Dechert had hired a senior Linklaters corporate partner as co-head of its global M&A practice (www.legalweek.net, 24 April).

James Croock, who is 51, says he was not “bounced out” by Linklaters, but he did acknowledge that at Dechert he would be able to extend his career far beyond what he could expect at Linklaters.