Italian independent firm Pavia e Ansaldo is set to launch its first office in Brussels, becoming the second Italian firm to do so this year.

Competition law partner Alessandra Franchi will lead Pavia e Ansaldo’s office, joining from Euro Jura Consulting. Antonino Abate, a former barrister at the European Court of Justice, will assist Franchi in the role of counsel at the firm.

This summer saw the launch of the Brussels base of Negri-Clementi Toffoletto Montironi & Soci (NCTM), which transferred competition partner Domenico Gullo to the Belgian capital to run the office.

Pavia e Ansaldo’s Brussels office will advise the firm’s existing clients on EU law matters. It is the fifth office for the firm, which boasts practices in Rome and Milan, as well as Moscow and St Petersburg.