Osborne Clarke makes up first batch of partners since European mergers

The firm has made up Barcelona associates Ignacio Calero (corporate), Silvia Steiner (commercial and competition) and Eva Otaegui (employment), as well as Cologne-based commercial associate Daniel Stein and Milan-based energy lawyer Piero Viganò.

The promotions are the first since the firm merged with its Spanish and Italian Alliance partners, Osborne Clarke Spain and SLA Studio Legale Associato, in early 2012 (29 March 2012).

Separately, the firm has announced the hire of Milan real estate partner Simone Monesi from Latham & Watkins.

Osborne Clarke said the promotions and hire brought the firm’s partner count to 150 for the first time. UK promotions will be announced in the spring.

CEO Simon Beswick said in a statement: “This partnership round demonstrates our commitment to developing and strengthening our international operations. Reaching 150 partners is a real milestone that demonstrates our level of ambition in the market. This year will be an exciting one for [the firm] as we expect office openings in Paris and Brussels, which will give our clients access to quality advice in two further key locations.”

Tomás Dágá, chair of Osborne Clarke’s international council, added: “Making partner is no easy task and all of our recently promoted lawyers demonstrate exactly the sort of skill, expertise and commercial focus that our clients demand. It’s good to see five such talented lawyers joining and strengthening our European organisation.”

Commenting on the hire, the firm’s Italian managing partner Ricardo Roversi said: “Simone has a fantastic reputation as a leading Italian real estate lawyer and brings a wealth of experience to our team. His arrival further strengthens our real estate team, which is increasingly attracting high quality, high value work.”

Osborne Clarke has placed increasing importance on its European arm in recent months, shifting to a December financial year-end for internal purposes as part of a move to integrate its business (15 October 2012). The move came after the firm revamped its management structure to reflect a more international powerbase (9 July 2012).