Jones Day takes A&O partner for Italian push

In a bid to ramp up its real estate and corporate capability in Italy, Jones Day has hired Allen & Overy partner Marini Giovanni from the magic circle’s firm Milan office.

Giovanni, who starts at Jones Day on May 1, takes with him a number of ongoing deals to the US firm, including transactions for key client ING Real Estate and Fiera Milano, a listed Italian exhibition and conferences company.

Giovanni was a partner at Brosio Casati e Associati before it merged with Allen & Overy in 1998. Prior to that he practised at US firm Wilmer Cutler & Pickering.

The 20-lawyer Milan office of Jones Day was launched in 2001 with the hire of a team from boutique firm Macchi di Cellere e Gangemi, and the transfer of two partners from other offices. However it has not grown since that time.

Partner in charge of Jones Day’s Milan office, Philippe Billot said the firm would continue to look for other laterals. He also added that Rome might also be a possibility for the firm. "That’s something that we will be considering in due course," he said.

Billot was transferred from Jones Day Paris to take on the role of Italian managing partner in January 2004.