Bird & Bird has hired a team of lawyers from Ernst & Young (E&Y) to set up an Italian practice – securing the launch of the sixth continental practice for the City technology leader in just three years.

The deal will see four lawyers from E&Y’s Italian law arm, led by IP/IT head Massimiliano Mostardini, launch a Milan practice for the UK firm in April. Mostardini will also become the firm’s Italian managing partner.