B&M recruits chief for new Italian group

A chief counsel from the European Investment Bank is joining Baker & McKenzie to head its new Italian project finance group.

Marco Padovan first joined the firm in 1985 but left a year later to join the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in London. He then became chief counsel for the European Investment Bank, first for Italy and then for all non-European countries.

Baker & McKenzie's new Italian practice group consists of four lawyers in Milan and two in Rome, pooling expertise in banking, finance and securities.

The team will work closely with the firm's global project finance group, in particular those in London, Paris, Hong Kong and Cairo, to offer clients a seamless service.

Last week the firm issued results for the year ending 30 June, with revenues up to $940m (£587m) from $818m (£511m) last year.