Dewey Ballantine has agreed the transfer of 20 lawyers from new Italian ally Galgano, it was announced today (12 March).

Under the terms of the agreement, a total of 20 fee earners from the Italian firm join Dewey's Milan arm, with Galgano banking head Davide Contini, technology and communications chief Marco Consonni and corporate finance partner Alessandro Accinni all becoming partners at the New York firm.

The two firms will also work more closely together, with Galgano gaining access to Dewey's international network. Founding partner Francesco Galgano and his son Federico Galgano will remain at the firm but will offer Dewey support in areas such as litigation and corporate finance.

The new arrivals bring the number of lawyers in Dewey's Italian practice to around 60. Dewey opened its Milan office in October 2003.

Commenting on the deal, Dewey Italian managing partner Bruno Gattai said: "Through the collaboration with Galgano [Dewey] gains access to one of Italy's leading legal thinkers. This sends a signal of the firm's desire to continue to grow in Europe."

Francesco Galgano added: "We will be in a position to offer our clients a unique service, combining our traditional approach with the organisation and platform of a leading international firm with an Italian practice that has rapidly gained a major reputation in the marketplace."