Paul, Hastings Janofsky & Walker, a US law firm, has hired the most senior lawyer involved in the re-structuring of Parmalat as a partner, to spearhead its new Milan office.

Bruno Cova is lead counsel to Enrico Bondi, Parmalat's extraordinary commissioner who is overseeing the collapsed dairy group's restructuring and divestment programme. Cova's successor has not been disclosed.