UPDATE: 2/2/12, 11:45 a.m. K&L Gates has expanded into Italy following its merger with Milan firm Marini Salsi Picciau Studio Legale, according to Legal Week.

The law firm consolidation trend continued this week, with Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice absorbing a three-lawyer South Carolina shop and Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz executing its third merger in less than four months by picking up a seven-lawyer Houston firm.