A&O loses one partner and 20 lawyers to Italy's Bonelli

Catia Tomasetti, a partner at Allen & Overy’s Rome office since 2000, will join Bonelli’s Rome office as a partner at the beginning of next year. The exact date is not yet known.

It is understood that a team of around 20 lawyers will join Tomasetti from Allen & Overy. Bonelli declined to comment on the matter and sources said that the specifics of the move are far from settled, with the number of departures likely to be around seven.

However, a statement released by the Italian firm said that its banking and finance team, which numbers around 30 lawyers including five partners, is set to grow to 50 lawyers, including six partners.

Alberto Saravalle, Bonelli’s managing partner, said: “We’re very pleased to have Catia join us: she’s held in the highest esteem, both in Italy and abroad.”

Bonelli has around 300 fee-earners across offices in Brussels, Genoa, London, Milan and Rome.

In a statement Allen & Overy said: “Catia Tomasetti has decided to leave Allen &Overy. We’d like to thank her for the contribution she’s made during her time at Allen & Overy and wish her all the best for the future.”