The new office will be led by Italy managing partner Federico Sutti, who was hired from DLA Piper last year and will lead both the Milan and Rome offices. The firm now has more than 50 lawyers in Italy, including 12 partners.

Between Rome and Milan

The initial Rome team will include Michele Carpagnano, an antitrust partner who joined Dentons in June from leading Italian independent Gianni, Origoni, Grippo, Cappelli & Partners, as well as corporate partner Luca Pocobelli and a team of associates. Several Milan-based partners will also split their time between the two offices.

Mr Suttie commented: ‘When we entered the Italian market last October, we had a clear vision to build Dentons into a full service firm within two years and one of the top international law firms in Italy within three years. Opening an office in the capital city of Rome is one of the cornerstones of that strategy.’

Reduced Roman presence

‘This investment was very much driven by our clients. Although Rome is Italy’s largest city and second largest legal services market, many international law firms have reduced their presence in Rome, meaning companies cannot benefit from the same legal offering as in Milan,’ said Joe Andrew, global chairman.

The recent move away from Rome was seen last month when Ashurst closed its office there after the resignation of Aian Abbas, its sole Rome-based partner. The firm relocated the remaining associates and trainees to Milan.

Rapid European expansion

Dentons has expanded rapidly in Europe over the last 18 months, taking a team from Norton Rose Fulbright to open in Munich this summer, completing a tie-up in Luxembourg last year and adding a 30-strong team from White & Case in Budapest.