Shearman & Sterling and Chiomenti have fought off competition from UK firms to take lead roles on Allianz’s €5.7bn (£3.87bn) acquisition of the remaining shares in Italy’s second largest insurance company.

Shearman is advising the German insurance group on its bid for the 45% stake that it does not already own in Riunione Adriatica di Sicurta, which is being advised by Italian leader Chiomenti.