Dewey in talks with Italian firm

Fresh in the wake of its failed merger with Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe, Dewey Ballantine is in advanced talks with Italian boutique Galgano to form a “collaboration”.

A Dewey spokesman confirmed that the firm had been talking with Bologna-headquartered Galgano but said that nothing had been formally decided as yet.

Dewey particularly wants access to name partner and founder Francesco Galgano and his son, special counsel Federico Galgano, for their expertise in litigation and legal opinion from an Italian law perspective. The elder Galgano is particularly well known in the Italian establishment and in political circles.

In return, 35-lawyer Galgano would benefit from Dewey’s international network and deal flow.

It is understood that part of the negotiations include the possibility that ten Galgano lawyers would formally join Dewey as fee-earners at the firm.

Said the Dewey spokesman: “Dewey Ballantine has great admiration for the lawyers of the Galgano firm, and is interested in the possibilities presented by the discussions. If successful, it is anticipated that an agreement could be reached in the next few weeks.”

Dewey currently has just over 40 lawyers in Italy, most based in its Milan office.