SJ Berwin steps up Italian expansion with key Chiomenti hire

SJ Berwin has expanded its fledgling Italian presence with the hire of Italian independent law firm Chiomenti’s head of EU and antitrust law Gianluca Belotti.

Belotti will join the Milan office of SJ Berwin as a competition partner on 1 April, after five years with Chiomenti. Prior to joining Chiomenti, Belotti was senior official in the Competition Directorate of the European Commission for 10 years.

The hire comes as SJ Berwin looks to step up its recruitment drive for its new Italian team following the opening of its Milan and Turin offices in December.

Managing partner for Italy Alberto Morano said the firm was now turning its sights to developing a local property capability. “Competition will be a key part of our practice and we are now looking to build our real estate practice.”

Head of competition Stephen Kon said Belotti’s hire was also in line with the firm’s plans to expand its EU and competition practice to span Brussels, Germany, Spain, Italy, France and London.

As part of the Italian recruitment drive, SJ Berwin most recently hired bank finance and corporate partner Federico Pavetto from White & Case’s Milan office in January.