McDermotts and CarneluttiMcDermott Will & Emery is this month embarking on a high-profile assault on the Italian legal market after securing a shock merger with Italy’s largest law firm, Carnelutti.

The surprise deal has resulted in 20 Carnelutti partners joining McDermotts to launch a heavyweight, local law practice for the US firm from 1 September after a partners’ vote in July.