Linklaters & Alliance is talking to two leading Italian firms in a bid to establish a long-cherished presence in Italy.
The two firms in question – Gianni Origoni & Partners and Chiomenti – both have powerful reputations for banking and mergers and acquisitions work.
Establishing presences in Italy and Spain has been high on the agenda for the alliance since the 1,800-lawyer federation was formed in November 1998.
Linklaters & Alliance's chief executive officer, Terence Kyle, said: "We have had talks with a number of firms in Italy which include Gianni Origoni and Chiomenti. There are not many firms in Italy of the right size and standing for Linklaters & Alliance." But he added that a deal was not imminent. "We are still in the process of having conversations," he said.
Kyle confirmed the Alliance was also looking for a Spanish member.
Gianni Origoni has 17 partners and offices in Milan, Rome, New York and London. Chiomenti has 18 partners and offices in Rome, Milan, Turin, London and Brussels.
Renato Patermollo, a partner in Chiomenti's Milan office, confirmed that there had been contact between his firm and Linklaters & Alliance, but said: "We do not want to say anything so far."
Gianni Origoni & Partners were unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.