Tonucci merges with Milan and Padua firms

Studio Legale Tonucci is cementing its position as one of the largest independent firms in Italy after completing two mergers with local firms.

The firm has merged with Milan-based Barberi Cassese Rossetto Sala, which houses 20 lawyers, and has entered Padua through its link-up with Scarpa Scapolo Vasta.

Tonucci, which now boasts 175 lawyers, is the second practice to enter the Padua region within the last three months.

Gianni Origoni & Partners set up a small operation in the area recently, staffed by former lawyers from Pavia e Ansaldo (The Lawyer, 19 June).

Tonucci has also expanded its presence in Romania through Barberi Cassese's office in the region. It already has a presence in eastern Europe through its Tirana base, but will transfer Gianpiero Cigna, one of its senior partners from the office, and an associate, to the Bucharest office to work alongside the resident managing partner Florin Petrosel.

Goffredo Guerra, a resident partner at Tonucci's Milan office, says: "We'd been planning to expand in Milan for some time, but the lawyers from the Padua office came along, which wasn't part of the plan.

"But since we have a great interest in eastern Europe we thought it would be a good move - Padua is a highly industrialised area."

Its expansion in eastern Europe will also aid the firm in servicing its other clients, one of which is the World Bank.

In May the firm also increased its presence in the US by merging its New York practice with Pavia & Harcourt.

Guerra says it is not yet clear how the hierarchy of the merged firm will be structured, as the main priority is to find premises to house the Milan operations.

Tonucci, which also has offices in Rome and Paris, is a member of the CLA alliance of firms. CLA originated from the US, but the European firms within the group have recently set up their own chapter.