DLA Piper raids Hammonds for Italy boost

DLA Piper has strengthened its international presence with a raid on Hammonds Rossotto's Milan office and by making a number of hires in the US.

Hammonds Rossotto corporate partner Sergio Anania is set to join DLA Piper's Milan office and is understood to be bringing a team of associates with him.

DLA Piper Italian managing partner Federico Sutti refused to comment on the hires, although it is understood that there could be more in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, in Washington DC William Cook has joined the firm as a partner in the government affairs practice, while in Phoenix Steven Pidgeon and David Lewis join as corporate and securities partners. The firm's Dallas litigation practice has seen the addition of Jeffrey Goldfarb as a partner.

Cook joins from Alston & Bird, where he led the firm's telecommunications practice. He brings associates Sydney White, Adrian Copiz and Robert Allen with him. He will lead DLA Piper's communications, e-commerce and privacy practice.

Pidgeon and Lewis join from Snell & Wilmer. The former is to co-head DLA Piper's Phoenix office alongside Mark Nadeau as co-managing partner. Pidgeon and Lewis have represented a variety of private and public companies, investment banks, private equity firms and other businesses, including ON Semiconductor Corporation, Meritage Homes Corporation, Roth Capital Partners and Jobing.com.

Goldfarb has joined the firm from Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld. The main focus of his practice is complex business litigation, IP and trademark disputes, arbitration and appeals. He also has experience in matters involving corporate governance, officer and director liability and shareholder disputes.