CMS firm acquires leading Albanian law office

Italian firm CMS Adonnino Ascoli & Cavasola Scamoni’s newest acquisition further expands the market-leading European footprint of CMS

19th April 2011 - CMS Adonnino Ascoli & Cavasola Scamoni has completed the transfer of ownership of an existing law practice in Tirana, Albania. The formal registration of the acquisition for the office, which opened in 2009 as Eversheds Bianchini, is expected to be completed within the next few days.

“This is an exciting acquisition for us, as the relations between Italy and Albania are strong.” said Pietro Cavasola, Managing Partner of CMS Adonnino Ascoli & Cavasola Scamoni and member of the CMS Executive Committee. “We believe this acquisition will create work within the Balkan region since many Italian companies are interested in investing in this area, and we will also be able to further develop the business together with the other CMS firms.”

The 11 professionals transfer as part of the acquisition and will remain in their same roles, which include office Managing Partner Marco Lacaita, senior associate Mirko Daidone and other seven lawyers. “We expect our existing clients to remain with us, as we believe we can provide them with the same level of local expertise in Albania, with excellent links to Italy and the whole of Europe,” said Mr Lacaita.

Already in Rome and Milan, the addition of Albania means that CMS Adonnino Ascoli & Cavasola Scamoni has 19 partners, with more than 60 associates and 35 support staff. And it means that CMS now operates in 52 offices across 28 jurisdictions, with more than 770 partners and nearly 2,900 lawyers.

“This exciting addition adds an outstanding team which is recognised as a leader in the Albania market to our extensive European footprint”, said Cornelius Brandi, Chairman of the CMS Executive Committee.