Clyde & Co is to enter the Italian market as it is opening a new office in the country in the coming months.
The global law firm has hired Leonardo Giani, a partner from Simmons & Simmons’ litigation and insurance team, to head the launch of its seventh office in the region.
According to the announcement, this move will further expand the firm’s offering in Europe, in this case its insurance practice, which includes claims and coverage services, dispute resolution, corporate insurance and regulatory advice.
Carolena Gordon, Clyde & Co’s Senior Partner, commented: “Opening in Italy has been a long-term ambition for the firm. Not only will the new office support the growth of our global insurance group and provide clients with the benefit of our services in this important jurisdiction, but it will also provide an excellent platform for further growth in our other core sectors and for the expansion of our European commercial disputes offering.”
Giani joined the firm after five years as a partner at & Simmons’, where he headed the firm’s litigation and insurance practice in Italy. Prior to which he worked in the Milan offices of international firms including Baker McKenzie and Norton Rose Fulbright.
He has two decades of experience handling contentious and non-contentious matters, including assisting financial institutions in high profile and complex cross-border and domestic disputes, either in court or in arbitration.
He focuses on directors and officers insurance, general liability, professional indemnity, public officials’ liability, environmental claims, product liability and recall, property insurance, cyber insurance and warranty and indemnity insurance.
Henning Schaloske, Partner at Clyde & Co and Chair of its European Board, said: “ Italy has one of the largest insurance markets in Europe and is home to a number of our most important clients. Leonardo has an excellent reputation both in the Italian market and with our clients in the rest of Europe, including in the UK. His expertise will provide a strong foundation for our Milan office to grow in support of the insurance market and our other practice areas too.”
Giani added: “Opening a new office within a firm that has such strong connections to the insurance market, with ambitions to grow a market-leading offering in Italy, is an exciting step in my career and a great fit for my own practice. I’m looking forward to working alongside my new colleagues and making connections across Clyde & Co’s global network.”
This office opening is the latest in Clyde & Co’s international growth story, following its announcement of plans to open in Bangkok. Over the past two years it has also opened bases in the US, Canada and Chile.
