Ashurst has enhanced its banking team in Milan with the addition of a new partner from Norton Rose Fulbright (NRF).

Mario Lisanti acts for banks, asset managers and investors on corporate, project and real estate finance and restructurings and will head the UK's firm's Italian finance team.

Joining him at Ashurst are senior lawyers Alberto Castelli and Domenico Petrone.

Lisanti joined NRF as a partner in 2006 from Allen & Overy.

Work highlights include advising UniCredit on the financing of Ardian's acquisition of of a majority stake in RGI; and advising TH Real Estate on the €250 million sale of three shopping centre portfolio companies in Italy and Spain to a joint venture between TPG Capital and Partners Group.