SAN FRANCISCO — Dewey & LeBoeuf just lost another insurance partner, this time in California.

James Woods, co-chairman of the firm’s global insurance industry sector practice, joined Mayer Brown in Palo Alto and New York Wednesday. Woods takes on the role of co-leader of Mayer Brown’s global insurance industry group. He said he expected all his clients to follow. Some attorneys from his core group nationwide are also being recruited to join in coming weeks, he said.