Marco Rota Candiani, an M&A specialist formerly with Grimaldi Clifford Chance in Milan, joined Lovells as a partner based in the firm's Milan office on the 17 September. This is the first partner level lateral hire for Lovells' Italian practice, launched in October 2000: it now numbers 6 partners and 29 other lawyers.
Marco (35) has a broad experience of corporate work, focused on M&A and joint venture transactions for US, UK, Italian and other European clients. He is dual qualified, as an English solicitor and as an avvocato at the Milan Bar, and has worked in London as well as in Milan.
Lovells' Italian practice was launched in October 2000 with the opening of offices in Milan and Rome following the lateral hire of partners Paolo Criscione (from Gianni, Origoni & Partners), and Jeffrey Greenbaum and Fulvia Astolfi (both from Pavia e Ansaldo). Over the last twelve months it has grown to 5 partners, with the secondment of Leah Dunlop from London and Eckhart Petzold from Dusseldorf, and 29 other fee earners, including Andrea Accornero (from Pavia e Ansaldo) and Paolo Ricci (from Verusio e Cosmelli). Lovells now has over 50 people in Milan and Rome.
Paolo Criscione, head of Lovells Italian practice, said:
"We have done extremely well in our first year of operation. We have developed a cohesive team across our offices in Rome and Milan, which is working successfully with colleagues in our other European offices and beyond, and our financial performance has substantially exceeded our expectations.
"The further development of our M&A practice is a priority, given the amount of cross-border transactional work we do in Europe: the market for private equity driven deals in particular remains strong in Italy. Marco – whom I have known ever since we were both working in London a decade ago - is just the kind of technically able lawyer we are looking for; he also has an excellent profile in the market, notably with investment banks and accountancy firms."
Marco Rota Candiani added:
"I'm delighted to join Lovells and to be part of the development of its Italian practice.
"There is enormous scope for cross-selling its services: most Italian clients are looking for advice on deals which go beyond the "local" market; conversely, there will be an Italian angle to many of the transactions undertaken elsewhere on behalf of Lovells' existing client base. I look forward to working with my new colleagues to make the most of all these opportunities."
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