The Legal 500

Bonelli Erede Pappalardo provides ‘high levels of professional competence’. It has recently advised on stock option plans, transfer of business issues and high-profile contract terminations. Marcello Giustiniani heads the department. Antonella Negri is ‘extremely available’, and Marco Maniscalco’s ‘answers are practical, as well as correct from a legal perspective’.

LABLAW – Studio Legale acted for Brindisi LNG on the restructuring of its entire workforce, and assisted Banca Popolare di Spoleto on the termination of its director general’s employment. Luca Failla and Francesco Rotondi are recommended along with Piergiovanni Mandruzzato and Nicola Petracca, who manages the Rome office. The team was bolstered by the addition of Olimpio Stucchi, formerly team head at Carnelutti Studio Legale Associato, and a team of four other professionals.

Toffoletto e Soci merged with Prof. Avv. Raffaele De Luca Tamajo e Soci to form Toffoletto De Luca Tamajo e Soci, and the combined practice is ‘first in the class for employment law’. The team drafted and implemented a stock purchase plan for 500 Italian employees from the Essilor Group; was instructed by Latham & Watkins LLP to undertake due diligence on employment aspects of the sale of Gruppo Coin to BC Partners; and assisted a company with collective redundancy procedures. Franco Toffoletto combines ‘strong expertise with pragmatism’.

Trifirò & Partners advises on employment contracts, labour disputes and outsourcing matters, as well as labour rights, trade union accords, and agency relationship contracts. Salvatore Trifirò is ‘an excellent practitioner’.

Gianni, Origoni, Grippo, Cappelli & Partners is ‘capable of tackling complex organisational issues’. The team advised Technicolor on a collective dismissal operation. Senior partner Matteo Fusillo, head of operations Saverio Schiavone and Raffaella Betti Berutto are the key contacts, and Alessandra Ferroni ‘always provides creative and appropriate advice’.

Maresca Morrico Boccia & Associati’s Arturo Maresca is well regarded for his extensive labour law expertise. Clients include public entities.

Studio Legale Pessi has offices in Rome and Milan. The practice is recommended for labour law matters, social security issues and union negotiations.

‘Labour law expert’ Renato Scorcelli heads Scorcelli, Rosa & Partners’ practice, which has recently advised manufacturers and IT companies on reorganisations and collective redundancies. The practice also acted in litigation originating from the dismissal of top executives.

Bird & Bird saw an increase in advice regarding senior executives’ contracts, as well as high-level settlement agreements. Caterina Rucci is ‘impeccable’, and Amedeo Rampolla is praised for his ‘customer-oriented attitude’.

DLA Piper’s recent matters include advising on employment contracts with key managers pursuant to a company’s acquisition, assisting with collective dismissal procedures, and negotiating a long-term incentive plan for top managers and directors. Fabrizio Morelli is ‘outstanding’, and Giampiero Falasca is also recommended. Former practice head Aldo Calza departed to establish The Employment Law Plant.

Dewey & LeBoeuf Studio Legale advised Terex on employment and industrial relations issues regarding the Fantuzzi restructuring. Barbara Grasselli, Alberto Testi and practice head Angelo Zambelli are recommended.

Legance Studio Legale Associato represented Compagnia Italiana di Navigazione in consultations with trade unions. Alberto Maggi is ‘available and business-minded’, and Tommaso Li Bassi and senior counsel Silvia Tozzoli are also well regarded.

Studio Legale Associato in affiliation with Simmons & Simmons LLP ‘identifies the critical points’. It recently advised on restructuring and reorganisation exercises, as well as employment contracts. Team head Davide Sportelli ‘can advise on complex matters at short notice’. Counsel Giuseppe Menegazzi is also recommended.

Studio Legale Stanchi e Associati’s Andrea Stanchi is recommended for employment disputes.

Studio Professionale Associato a Baker & McKenzie advised Oracle Italia in negotiations with the unions, following its acquisition of Sun Microsystems. Practice head Uberto Percivalle, Gianfranco Di Garbo, and Massimiliano Biolchini are the principal contacts.

Studio Legale Persiani merged with The Employment Law Plant, which was recently founded by DLA Piper’s former practice head Aldo Calza. The practice is recommended for all aspects of employment law, industrial relations, pensions and social security.

Clifford Chance defended Barclays in an action brought by an Italian bank before the Court of Milan’s Employment Division. Simonetta Candela and Marina Mobiglia are the key contacts.

‘Timely, reliable and competent’, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer advised Mediobanca on employment aspects of its reorganisation. Newly promoted partner Luca Capone is recommended by clients for his ‘support and knowledge’.

Hogan Lovells Studio Legale has employment-related litigation experience, as well as synergies with practice areas such as corporate and tax. The group advised Labelux on the labour law aspects of its acquisition of Belstaff. Vittorio Moresco is ‘precise, competent and helpful’.

Studio Legale Ichino-Brugnatelli e Associati’s experience includes bargaining practices, union and social security matters, as well as employment-related disputes.

Jones Day is ‘extremely responsive and able to meet very tight timelines’. The team advised Bell Microproducts on the voluntary liquidation of its Italian subsidiary, which entailed dismissal of the entire workforce and negotiations with employees’ representatives. Of counsel Adelio Riva has ‘great knowledge of Italy’s trade unions’.

Lexellent was formed in 2011 when it spun off from Eversheds Bianchini. The practice’s ‘advice is clear and well structured’. It acted for Nokia Siemens Network on a mass dismissal procedure involving dozens of employees. The partners are Giovanni Battista Benvenuto, Sergio Barozzi, Giorgio Scherini and Giulietta Bergamaschi.

Macchi di Cellere Gangemi ‘gives prompt advice’. It assisted Cooper Standard with salary reduction plans. Milan-based Federico Torzo has ‘a strong negotiating style’.

NCTM Studio Legale Associato is frequently instructed on the labour aspects of sensitive and complex M&A transactions and restructurings, as well as collective dismissal procedures. Michele Bignami is ‘quick and focused’.