Norton Rose opens Milan office to boost European presence

City firm Norton Rose has opened an office in Milan as it plots further probes into continental Europe.Norton Rose's managing partner, Roger Birkby, said: 'The move into Milan is an integral part in the firm's strategy to expand its presence in continental Europe, and ties in with our plans in Germany and to expand our Paris office.'The Milan office will open in September.

Roberta Cornetta, managing partner of Studio Legale Vassalli, is joining Norton Rose as the managing partner of the Milan office, along with a team of lawyers.

It is understood that Norton Rose is thinking of taking advantage of disruption caused in the German market by recent mergers and is considering hiring lawyers from recently merged firms to set up its own office.Senior partner David Lewis indicated that the German plans could involve a merger, an alliance or a new green field office.

He said that bases in the Netherlands and Spain are 'not far behind'.

Anne Mizzi