DLA Piper has continued its frenzied lateral hire spree in the Italian market, making simultaneous raids for two finance partners and eight fee-earners across various practice areas.

The latest hires see the firm welcome a finance partner each into its Rome and Milan offices.

Earlier this year the firm poached a new head for its technology, media and commercial practice from Carnelutti (The Lawyer, 21 July), and took a six-lawyer team from Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe’s Milan operation (The Lawyer, 16 June).

The moves also follow Lovells Italian chief Paolo Criscione’s departure from the UK firm, as reported on TheLawyer.com earlier today (6 October).

DLA Piper has raided Simmons & Simmons for partner Luigi Rizzi, and Italian firm Gianni Origoni Grippo and Partners for Alessandro Corno. Both partners specialise in financial services markets.

Rizzi, who joins DLA Piper’s Rome office, previously worked for Italy’s securities market regulator, the Commissione Nazionale per la Società e la Borsa, and is a chartered accountant.

Corno focuses on investment funds and private equity and joins the Milan office.

The junior level raids see DLA Piper welcome two more finance practice fee earners. The antitrust, banking, litigation, insurance, real estate and town planning practices also gain a new member each.

DLA Piper’s Italy managing partner Federico Sutti said: “With the appointment of Luigi and Alessandro, DLA Piper Italy positions itself as one of the market players in the financial service, regulatory and capital market sector, with important synergies in the real estate equity investment trust and private equity areas.”