Latham raids Bonelli for Italian push

Latham & Watkins is bolstering its Italian practice with the hire of five partners from local Italian firm Bonelli Erede Pappalardo.

Partners Andrea Novarese, Maria Cristina Storchi, Fabio Coppola, Tommaso Amirante and Simone Monesi will bulk up Latham’s M&A and banking and finance capabilities in Milan.

This brings the total partner headcount in Milan to six.

Latham’s Italian practice head Michael Immordino commented: “While we have advised on the international aspects of many of the market’s landmark deals, we have aspired to build a strong Italian law practice.”

Immordino added that a local law capability is crucial to developing and strengthening Latham’s presence in Italy and becoming a full service firm in Europe.

Partner and Latham executive committee member David Miles said: “We will now have meaningful offices in the five largest economies in Europe as well as the major financial centres.”