The news comes after founding partners Francesco Gianni and GianBattista Origoni plus recently-appointed managing partner Giovanni Nardulli held discussions on 8 November aimed at setting a date for the separation.
Ninety-five lawyers, including 17 partners, are to move offices next week, with the departing lawyers relocating to another floor in Gianni Origoni’s
The practice will officially split on 1 December, although the number of lawyers leaving is lower than the expected 120. The break-up follows disagreements between the firm’s executive committee and founding partner Gianni last month over strategic issues including the firm’s hiring policy, its onus on billable hours and the importance of regional offices.
Gianni will be left with around 250 lawyers following the departures, although it is understood the departing group may consist of the firm’s entire banking practice and the lion’s share of major department heads.