Allen & Overy’s (A&O’s) Italian practice has scooped a lead role advising debt-laden automotive giant Fiat on the high-profile $1.7bn disposal of its aerospace arm, Avio.

The London giant fielded some of its most senior Italian lawyers on the deal, with partners Guido Brosio, Roberto Casati and Fabio Alberto Regoli advising Fiat on the sale of Avio to investment group Carlyle and state-run defence company Finmeccanica.