Francesca Petronio joins A&O to strengthen its commercial litigation capabilities

Francesca joins from law firm, Delfino Willkie Farr & Gallagher. Previously, she was partner and head of the litigation team at Paul Hastings in Italy for 15 years.

Francesca has over 20 years’ experience in national and international litigation and arbitration cases, with a focus on bankruptcy and commercial disputes. She has also developed specific expertise in proceedings in relation to investigations, white-collar crime, administrative liability and compliance.

During her career, Francesca has promoted diversity and inclusion initiatives in the legal sector and has received several awards and acknowledgements at an international level.

Italian Litigation partners Massimo Greco and Amilcare Sada and employment partner Livio Bossotto commented: "We are pleased to welcome Francesca, a highly experienced professional, who has advised on cases of great complexity and importance for both Italian and international clients. Her appointment bolsters our ability to offer clients the full range of litigation services”.

Stefano Sennhauser, senior partner of Allen & Overy Italy added: “The appointment of Francesca is an integral part of the growth strategy that we are pursuing profitably in Italy and which, in only a few years, has led to a significant expansion of the partnership. We are confident that Francesca will contribute, together with the other team members, to the overall development of the Litigation practice and the firm, as a whole. Her expertise and extensive experience will be of great value in assisting our clients in a macroeconomic climate characterised by unpredictable circumstances and market uncertainties".

"I am happy to embark on this new professional adventure and join A&O’s Litigation practice to help enhance the firm’s strength in commercial litigation" said Francesca Petronio.

Francesca is the 10th hire to A&O's global litigation practice this year, following the appointment of Lisa Nguyen in Silicon Valley, Elizabeth Holland and Daniel Margolis in New York, Bill James in Washington DC, John Bennett and Nicholas Mitrokostas in Boston and Andy McGregor, Michael Godden and David Herlihy in London.