Bonelli Erede Pappalardo is set to become the largest Italian firm after agreeing to merge with another Italian firm.

Independent Lombardi and Associati has agreed to join BonelliErede.

The merger will see about 70 Lombardi professionals join the ranks of BonelliErede, increasing its number of professionals to over 750 across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Founder Giuseppe Lombardi, corporate partners Niccolò Baccetti, Johannes Karner, Stefano Nanni Costa, Federico Vermicelli and banking partner Mara Fittipaldi are among the 70 professionals moving to Bonelli.

Prior to the merger, corporate partners Anotnio Segni and Andrea Mazziotti had led a team of 15 professionals to Gianni Origoni Grippo Cappelli & Partners. Their departure had changed the name Lombardi Segni and Associati to Lombardi & Associati.

The merger will take effect on July 1, 2019.