Simmons & Simmons’ beleaguered Italian practice is rebuilding from the bottom up after losing 10 partners in the last three years, a number of them with large teams.
The latest departures to hit the practice were corporate heavyweight Bruno Gattai and two junior partners to Dewey Ballantine’s greenfield Italian practice.
A number of assistants and clients are likely to move with them. Gattai’s clients have included ABN Amro, BNP Paribas, Permira, Centrobanca, Italian insurance company RAS and corporates such as Barilla and Falck.
Corporate partner Alan Karter, who moved to Italy in October 2001 to boost integration told The Lawyer: “Simmons has its eye on a number of associates. I’d expect us to add to our headcount quickly.”
Karter said that partner-level appointments would be considered once Simmons’ first-ever Italy-wide managing partner Richard Slater had settled into his role.
Taking into account internal promotions and hires, Simmons now has 11 partners in Italy.