White & Case has strengthened its London capital markets group with the hire of a US securities duo from Latham & Watkins in a move that will also see the US firm re-enter the Italian market.

London-based partners Michael Immordino and Ian Clark, who both handed in their notice earlier today (28 July), will be joining White & Case on Monday (1 August) after several weeks of discussions.

In a related move, White & Case is to launch in Milan, re-entering the Italian market three years after it pulled the plug on its 15-lawyer local practice following a strategic review.

Immordino's capital markets experience covers advising investment banks and issuers in public offerings. He has acted as counsel in numerous offerings of Italian companies, regions and municipalities covering most industry and financial sectors, and was influential in extending Latham's practice into Italy.

Clark, meanwhile, focuses on corporate finance and securities transactions, in particular private placements of debt and equity securities as well as privatisation transactions and privately-negotiated M&A.

He has broad experience advising on capital markets transactions by issuers in Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, Pakistan, India and the Middle East. He rejoins White & Case after being a partner with the firm from 1996 to 2004.

One White & Case partner commented: "We have a great offering in the emerging markets – which fits very well with Clark's practice – but we have never quite cracked southern Europe. Immordino has incredible links there, both with investment banks and corporates, and this will help us to further our own links in the region."

"Michael and Ian will play an important role in the growth of our global capital markets practice, which is a strategic priority for us," said White & Case chairman Hugh Verrier. "With an office in Milan, we will be well positioned to serve our clients in Italy."

The news comes after a period of growth for White & Case's London office, which has acquired six partners in as many months. Recent laterals include Mayer Brown finance partner duo Lee Cullinane and Jacquie Evans – who joined the firm in the New Year – and project finance partner Caroline Miller Smith from Linklaters, who joined the London office in March.