The Legal 500

Gianni, Origoni, Grippo, Cappelli & Partners is ‘a premier full-service law firm that operates at international levels’. It recently represented the banks in the financing of Europe’s largest investment into a single photovoltaic power plant. Head of operations Ottaviano Sanseverino is ‘extremely helpful during hard negotiations with sponsors’, and Eugenio Grippo is also recommended.

Bonelli Erede Pappalardo advised GDF Suez on the sale of G6 Rete Gas’ share capital to a consortium. Roberto Pistorelli is the team co-ordinator, and Catia Tomasetti is ‘a solar business expert’.

‘World-class firm’ Chiomenti Studio Legale advised Ansaldo on its joint venture with Unit Investment for the construction and operation of a 865MW combined cycle gas power plant. Carola Antonini is recommended.

Clifford Chance’s Cristina Martorana and Umberto Penco Salvi are key contacts. The team advised E.ON on the disposal of its Italian gas network.

Hogan Lovells Studio Legale closed five deals for Alchimia SpA, involving the acquisition of companies owning photovoltaic power plants. The practice also ‘understands the oil business’. Gianroberto de Giovanni is recommended.

Legance Studio Legale Associato recently advised the lenders on the financing of a portfolio of five photovoltaic power plants. Project finance specialist Monica Colombera is ‘helpful during negotiations’, and Filippo Pacciani heads the administrative law side. Additionally, Rosella Antonucci has ‘great knowledge of the energy sector’, and Giuseppe Abbruzzese and Sergio Starace are well regarded.

Ashurst advised F2i and AXA Private Equity on the €2.2bn financing of the acquisition of Gas de France’s grid, and advised First Reserve on the financing of the acquisition of Rovigo solar energy plant from SunEdison. Franco Vigliano is recommended, and Carloandrea Meacci is also a key contact.

DLA Piper has ‘in-depth knowledge of Italy’s energy laws and regulations’. The group has recently advised on the acquisition of solar energy plants and relevant non-recourse project financing. Matteo Falcione focuses on energy regulatory advice, Paolo Zamberletti advises natural gas traders, and Wolf Michael Kühne ‘adds value to German-Italian business’.

Dewey & LeBoeuf Studio Legale represented a consortium in its acquisition of a 51MW photovoltaic power plant. Lorenzo Parola heads the team.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer advised Agc Glass Europe on the regulatory, corporate, finance, administrative and tax issues relating to the implementation of a joint venture for a rooftop photovoltaic power plant. Tommaso Salonico is recommended.

Linklaters has strong relationships with private equity funds in Italy and assisted Terra Firma and RTR Group with the acquisition of Nuova Rete Solare, which was one of Italy’s largest solar energy transactions of 2011. Counsel Tessa Lee is recommended.

Macchi di Cellere Gangemi provides ‘prompt and competent assistance’. The team recently advised Curti on the development and operation of a biomass power plant. Claudio Visco and Emilio Sani are recommended.

Norton Rose Studio Legale’s expertise covers renewable energy, oil and gas, and power. It advised Centrobanca as mandated lead arranger on the financing of certain solar photovoltaic power projects. Arturo Sferruzza leads the team.

Studio Legale Associato a Watson, Farley & Williams has ‘an impressive knowledge of the market’. It advised Solergy/Megasol on the project financing of a photovoltaic system in Montalto di Castro, now the second largest in Italy. Rome-based Eugenio Tranchino is ‘just brilliant’, and ‘always goes the extra distance’, and Elvezio Santarelli is ‘knowledgeable about renewables’. Luca Pardi is also praised.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP ‘pulls in multiple resources across disciplines and jurisdictions’. The group advised ENI on the disposal of gas transportation assets.

Latham & Watkins LLP represented a pool of banks on financing granted to a state-owned company managing Verona’s integrated water supply system. Simone Monesi ‘knows his business’, and Tommaso Amirante and Andrea Novarese are also well respected.

McDermott Will & Emery Studio Legale Associato represented MEAG in the acquisition of photovoltaic energy plants. Carsten Steinhauer and Massimo Trentino are recommended.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe assisted Tirreno Power with financing for the construction and management of a photovoltaic power project in Caserta. Anna Spanò has longstanding renewable energy experience, and Carlo Montella ‘adds value during negotiations’.

Allen & Overy – Studio Legale Associato recently advised Fotowatio Italia on the sale of four photovoltaic plants. Giovanni Gazzaniga and Paolo Ghiglione are recommended on the corporate side, with Stefano Sennhauser noted on banking aspects.

Studio Professionale Associato a Baker & McKenzie assisted Unieco with an EPC contract concerning a waste-to-energy project. Rome-based Alfredo Lucente and Milan-based Alberto Fornari are the key contacts.

Carnelutti Studio Legale Associato assisted Spanish EPC contractor Bester Generacion in signing a framework agreement to acquire and construct solar photovoltaic plants supplying 60MW.

Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP’s team advised Galsi’s majority shareholders on the establishment of the deepest underwater pipeline ever built. The key figures are Ian Tully, who acts in energy-related M&A, particularly in the solar energy sector, and energy specialist Galileo Pozzoli.

Gallavotti Honorati de Marco & Partners’ clients include Energonut and Appia Energy. Gianni Guarnieri is noted for his advice in the electricity, gas and oil sectors, and of counsel Francesco Fonderico assists with environmental procedures.

Lombardi Molinari e Associati is rated for its ‘problem-solving ability’. It recently advised on several bids relating to renewable energy transactions.

NCTM Studio Legale Associato fields a full-service energy group, but with the distinction that nearly all its lawyers have strong litigation and public law backgrounds. The team advised Deutsche Bank on the acquisition and the financing of three photovoltaic power projects. Federico Manili is recommended.

SLA Osborne Clarke (Member of the Osborne Clarke Alliance) ‘provides reliable and appropriate advice’. It advised SunEdison on the acquisition of the Montalto di Castro solar energy plant. Foresight is also a client. Riccardo Roversi has ‘deep knowledge of clients’ businesses’.