Italian firm Chiomenti has formed an exclusive association with Hong Kong firm CdB and JC & Co, with the firm also moving to bulk up its own office in the region.

The association, which has already come into effect, is expected to eventually lead to a merger – though there is no timescale for this.

The Hong Kong firm is made up of former Clyde & Co lawyers Claudio de Bedin, Dominic Lee and Jason Carmichael.

The association means Chiomenti will be able to offer M&A, private equity, restructuring and litigation services in Hong Kong.

Chiomenti already has offices in Rome, Milan, Turin, London, Brussels, New York, Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore and Hong Kong.

The Italian independent is further boosting its Hong Kong office with the relocation of partner Marco Nicolini from Milan. Nicolini is due to relocate in June to support the office's development.

Filippo Modulo, a partner in Chiomenti's Rome office, said: "If the merger could happen tomorrow it would, but we need to move in accordance with Hong Kong Law Society rules, and are therefore expecting the merger to be completed after three years."

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