Paul Hastings Janofksy & Walker has been hit by the defection of three partners from its Japanese joint venture – the Taiyo Law Office – to Los Angeles rival O’Melveny & Myers as it integrates the remainder of the practice into the firm.

Four of Taiyo’s partners – Norifusa Hashimoto, Yoshi Takatori, Jun Usami and Ayako Kawano – will move to Paul Hastings as the firm brings its long-running Tokyo arm under one roof following recent Bar liberalisation.