Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom's Italian ally Chiomenti has set up its first US office with a base in New York.

London-based partner Luigi Bendi and Milan partner Vittorio Tadei will run the office in Rockefeller Plaza, with both splitting their time between Europe and the US.

The leading Italian firm has also relocated two senior Italian associates to the New York office.

Paolo Giacometti will advise on international tax law, while Gianluigi Esposito is an experienced M&A lawyer. The office will advise purely on Italian law, with ally Skaddens as first choice for US legal needs.

"We have traditionally handled a lot of US investment in Italy and will be focusing on M&A and corporate work in the New York office," said Tadei.

Tadei stressed that the alliance with Skaddens will not be affected by the move and added that he hopes the firms will now be able to strengthen their relationship.

He said US investment in Italy is set to grow as major reforms of the country's company and tax law come into effect at the beginning of next year.