Slaughter and May ally Bonelli Erede Pappalardo has appointed a new management team as part of a wider governance overhaul which has seen the top Italian law firm split its managing partner role into two.

Head of international tax Stefano Simontacchi (pictured) and employment partner Marcello Giustiniani were voted as the firm's new managing partners at a partnership meeting last weekend, succeeding outgoing firm president Alberto Saravalle with immediate effect.

Giustiniani, one of the founding members of the firm when it formed in 1999, will handle internal management of the firm, while Simontacchi will be responsible for overseeing development of the firm's strategy and will hold an outward-facing role as the firm's external spokesperson.

Both will continue to practise in their respective areas during their three-year terms at the helm.

Saravalle, who was first appointed as the firm's president in 2007 and re-elected in 2010, will continue to practise as a corporate lawyer and maintain a role on the board.

Simontacchi said in a statement: "We would like to thank Alberto for his leadership throughout such a difficult economic climate, allowing the firm to maintain its leading position in both the Italian and international markets. We will continue his good work by channeling our experience, energy and enthusiasm into the service of the firm."

Saravalle added: "Stefano and Marcello's appointment [...] reflects the huge strides made by the other professional practices that have grown, over time, side by side with the core business – corporate and finance – of the firm."

The firm has also elected two new partnership board members, with Giustiniani and commercial partner Paolo Daino joining existing members Simontacchi, Saravalle, London head Andrea Carta Mantiglia and M&A partner Umberto Nicodano.

The remuneration committee, meanwhile, has added head of intellectual property Giovanni Guglielmetti and employment partner Vittorio Pomarici to its ranks, which comprise head of tax Andrea Silvestri, litigator Vittorio Allavena and corporate partners Eliana Catalano and Roberto Pistorelli.

Bonelli is part of Slaughters' network of overseas 'best friends', which include top independents such as Hengeler Mueller in Germany, Spanish giant Uria Menendez and France's Bredin Prat.