Linklaters secures Bonelli partner

Linklaters has swooped on Bonelli Erede Pappalardo to ramp up its corporate offering in Italy with the hire of partner Luca Picone.

Picone's practice at Bonelli focused on general corporate, M&A transactions, joint ventures and restructuring, which will be the mainstay of his work at the magic circle firm.

It is understood that Picone's move will be accompanied by several associates, not necessarily from Bonelli.

The news comes after Linklaters Italy made several top-level hires, including that of Giovanni Pedersoli, who joined the magic circle firm in July following its disastrous split with Gianni Origoni Grippo & Partners in 2004.

David Cheyne, Linklaters senior partner, said Picone's expertise will prove invaluable in the development of the firm’s Italian corporate practice.

"Italy’s an important market for us, with a number of our clients being based or doing business here. We’re rapidly growing our Italian capability in all key areas and we’re committed to further growth," said Cheyne.

Sarosh Mewawalla, co-managing partner of Linklaters' Italian practice, added that, with Pedersoli and Picone, the firm now has "one of the strongest corporate teams in the market".