US firm Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe has launched a corporate practice in Rome after absorbing local corporate boutique Tantalo & Associati. Tantalo managing partner Pietro Maria Tantalo will head the new corporate group and joins with seven associates.

Rome office head Patrizio Messina said: "[The addition of Tantalo] strengthens our client base. We are looking to further expand the Rome office and increase our corporate and tax capabilities."

The hires bring Orrick's headcount in Italy to over 40 lawyers, 11 of whom are partners.

The 850-lawyer firm first launched in Italy with the opening of its Milan office in April 2003. It then opened its Rome branch in February 2004. Prior to the corporate team joining, the Rome office focused on banking and finance and project finance.