Bonelli Erede Pappalardo has recruited an Allen & Overy (A&O) project finance partner for its Rome office.

Catia Tomasetti is set to join the Italian independent's banking and finance practice, with her start date yet to be confirmed.

She is understood to be bringing with her a team of 20 lawyers, although this is yet to be confirmed by A&O, while Bonelli declined to comment on any further hires.

Tomasetti, who has been a partner at A&O since 2000, will take the number of partners in the practice to six. She specialises in project finance and public-private partnerships in the Italian market.

Andrea Carta Mantiglia, a partner on Bonelli's executive committee, said: "We have been focusing on the finance practice at large and Catia is one of the most prominent lawyers in the Italian market in finance matters, so when the opportunity arose it was an obvious choice for us.

"We think that a strong presence in the project finance practice will further enhance our international visibility and be of help to our London presence."

The hire comes after Bonelli re-elected managing partner Alberto Saravalle for a second term at the Italian firm's helm in July this year, selecting members of its executive committee at the same time.

A&O's Italian arm suffered a mass walkout last year when 17 associates and two partners defected to Gianni Origoni Grippo & Partners in May 2009. This was followed by a further three departures in September 2009 that saw a team of real estate lawyers led by senior associate Davide Braghini also join Gianni.