A mega law firm's top-earning partner pocketed $4.4 million last year, and then left.

ALLEN & Overy's top-earning partner pocketed £2.3m (AUD$4.4m) last year, according to the firm's Annual Review 2009.

The sum includes a termination payment, but is £200,000 higher than that paid to the highest earning partner last year, The Lawyer reports.

The firm would not comment on the identity of the partner, but it is reported that New York-based Dan Cunningham left the firm for Quinn Emmanuel Urquhart Oliver & Hedges during the year.