Pedersoli & Associati is set to lose three of its 13 equity partners, with commercial and litigation heavyweight Enrico Zattoni leaving for Italian heavyweight to join new firm Labruna Mazziotti Segni.

Zattoni will join Labruna in September, having spent four years at Pedersoli after the break-up of private equity boutique Morano & Associati in 2005. It is believed that four associates will join him at Labruna.

Two other partners are also leaving the firm, with tax chief Alfredo Malguzzi – a chartered accountant – quitting to set up his own boutique alongside fellow tax partner Enrico Cossa. Malguzzi and Cossa both joined the firm in 2005.

Following Malguzzi's departure, the date of which has yet to be finalised, partner Giovanni Bandera will lead the Pedersoli tax practice.

Commenting on the departure of Zattoni, equity partner Ascanio Cibrario said: "Enrico is a friend and we are sad about it. We are a very old firm – [Labruna] is a new firm and he is stepping into its start-up phase. I can understand it is an enchanting and attractive move for someone like him. We will not be hit, because we are strong in litigation."

He added: "We are a big corporate firm and we didn't create a lot of synergies with [Malguzzi and Cossa's] practice. We are acknowledging that in reality it did not go as well as expected. They will be happier setting up on their own."

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