Chiomenti has secured a major boost for its Asian coverage after agreeing to merge with Birindelli & Associati – one of the first Italian firms to launch in China.

The two firms will combine under the Chiomenti banner from 1 May, with the Italian leader taking over Birindelli's offices in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Beijing, Singapore, Hanoi and Pyongyang, which together house around 25 lawyers.

Partners voted in favour of the merger last weekend (19 April), with Birindelli managing partner Luca Birindelli leaving the law to focus on private equity work in Asia and Italy.

The news means Chiomenti – which launched an office in Beijing in March last year – will have around 40 lawyers in Asia, including 30 Chinese-qualified lawyers.

Birindelli – which became a pioneer of Asian expansion among Italian advisers after launching in China 20 years ago – operated purely representative offices in Rome and Milan, meaning the merger does not increase Chiomenti's headcount in Italy.

Integration of the two practices will be overseen by Chiomenti partner Luigi Bendi, who was previously based in the City. Rome partner Ferigo Foscari will also relocate to Asia to manage the Hong Kong office.

Filippo Modulo, who will head Chiomenti's new China desk in Italy, commented: "The merger means we will reinforce our presence in Asia and become the obvious reference point for Italian firms looking to do business in Asia, as well as for Asian companies wanting to do business in Italy. They will have the chance to work with a firm which has a Chinese-Italian integrated practice."