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Gary LeClair, who co-founded LeClairRyan in 1988 and served as its longtime CEO, is leaving the law firm and joining crosstown rival Williams Mullen.

LeClair will become a partner at Williams Mullen as will LeClairRyan lawyers David Lay and Andrew White.

The three will join Williams Mullen’s corporate section as partners, effective Aug. 5, Williams Mullen announced Thursday.

The moves come at a time of continuing departures at LeClairRyan this year, including several to Williams Mullen and other law firms. LeClairRyan has closed offices and the firm’s gross revenue continues to decline.

LeClair served as chairman of LeClairRyan from 1988 to 2015 and CEO from 1988 to 2010. He no longer sits on the board of the firm.

He and Dennis Ryan created a venture capital legal boutique operation to help entrepreneurs, startup businesses and venture capitalists. LeClairRyan grew from those two attorneys into a full-service firm with hundreds of lawyers working in 21 offices and representing some of the largest corporations in the world.