Herbert Smith Freehills will welcome its Milan lawyers and staff back to a larger office as its flagship Italian base returns to some normality following the COVID-19 crisis.

The firm has doubled its space in the city, securing two floors over 1,400 sq metres, and is set to move into the new office from July 27.

One floor will be dedicated to client facing work, according to HSF Italy managing partner Laura Orlando.

All staff who had previously been remote working due to the coronavirus pandemic will be able to return to the base if they wish to do so, Orlando said. She added that the larger space will allow staff to "sufficiently distance and all be in the office together at the same time".

Laura Orlando

HSF launched in Milan in 2017 and expanded with a six-lawyer team from Paul Hastings two years later. It currently comprises 20 lawyers, including four partners.

Orlando hopes the new office will be the firm's "new home" in Milan. "We want it to be our final place to grow in", she said, "it's a beautiful space in the heart of Milan".

Orlando said growth in Milan will be "aligned with [the firm's] sector focus and global platform". Over past seven years, the firm has opened four offices across Europe and has made over 30 lateral hires.

Italy has proved an uncertain market for a number of firms in recent years, with several closing bases across the country. 

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