Gianni Origoni courts Herbert Smith alliance

Gianni Origoni Grippo & Partners has been touting itself to Herbert Smith following the recent demise of the top Italian firm’s alliance with Linklaters.

The European alliance of Herbert Smith, Germany’s Gleiss Lutz and Benelux firm Stibbe does not have an exclusive relationship with any Italian firms.

Herbert Smith has close ties with Pavia e Ansaldo, while Gleiss Lutz prefers to refer work to Milan-based Macchi Di Cellere e Gangemi. The alliance has also had a relationship with Bonelli Erede Pappalardo.

Herbert Smith’s worldwide practice partner Richard Fleck played down any suggestion that the alliance was considering launching an exclusive referral relationship with Gianni or any other Italian firm. He said: “We don’t have a prescriptive or dominant relationship with any Italian firm. A referral relationship implies a degree of formality.”

Meanwhile, it is understood that the alliance decided to slow down the process of officially adding Cuatrecasas as the Spanish member firm of the alliance. The move follows continued opposition from a number of Cuatrecasas partners. A spokesperson for Herbert Smith said there was no timeframe for a decision on whether or not Cuatrecasas should join the alliance.