Italy > Industry focus > Law firm and leading lawyer rankings

Ashurst worked on some of the largest M&A and project finance energy deals in Italy in 2016, thereby focusing both on renewables and oil and gas. The practice advised First Reserve on the sale of its Italian solar photovoltaic assets of SunReserve to Tages Helios, an infrastructure fund managed by Tages Capital established to invest in the Italian photovoltaic sector, and assisted independent private investment company Ardian with its acquisition of the remaining stake in TRE Solar (35%) from Tozzi Green. Practice heads Carloandrea Meacci and Franco Vigliano are recommended, as is counsel Elena Giuffrè.

BonelliErede’s expertise in the energy sector is ‘well above the market standard’ and includes M&A, project finance, antitrust, debt capital markets transactions, tax and litigation. The practice advised Novapower on setting up a competitive bid for the sale of its solar portfolio, and assisted Terna with the project financing for the creation of a 213km-long, 500 kV power line in Uruguay. Mario Roli heads the practice and Catia Tomasetti and managing associate Gabriele Malgeri are also strongly recommended. Giuseppe Manzo made partner.

DLA Piper handles corporate, finance, tax, regulatory, litigation, real estate, environmental, white-collar crime and labour matters in the energy sector. Recent highlights include acting as adviser for the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), a project for the transportation of Caspian Sea natural gas from Greece via Albania and the Adriatic Sea to Italy and further on to Western Europe, and advising ERG, Total Marketing Services and TotalERG on the sale of their entire oil and gas downstream business through a competitive bidding procedure. Francesco Novelli is a ‘fantastic professional’, while Giulio Maroncelli, Germana Cassar and Giovanni Ragnoni Bosco Lucarelli are recommended for M&A, administrative law and project financing respectively.

Gianni, Origoni, Grippo, Cappelli & Partners fields an ‘excellent’ energy practice: recent highlights include advising Macquarie Infrastructure & Real Assets and Swiss Life on its acquisition of Società Gasdotti from infrastructure fund Eiser, and assisting Azienda Solare Italiana (ASI) with a second bond issuance and bank financing to refinance part of ASI’s solar portfolio. Ottaviano Sanseverino and the ‘strongly knowledgeable’ Francesco Puntillo are highly recommended.

Legance - Avvocati Associati belongs to ‘the top’ of Italian energy practices and recently advised several financial institutions, including Banca IMI, Cassa depositi e prestiti, Banca Europea per gli Investimenti, Intesa Sanpaolo, Natixis and UniCredit, as lender’s counsel on the financing of the merchant line of a new France-Italy power interconnector with an aggregate capacity of 1.200MW. Monica Colombera and Filippo Ruffato are the names to note.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe’s wide energy expertise was recently particularly sought after in renewable M&A and portfolio deals, private equity investments, and the refinancing of existing renewable energy portfolios as well as new solar and wind projects under incentive schemes in Italy and Spain. The practice assisted IDCM and Foresight Group as arrangers with a €40m bond issued by TS Energy, an Italian company controlled by the Zhongli Talesun Solar Group specialized in renewable energy investments. Carlo Montella, Cristina Martorana and of counsel Andrea Gentili are highly recommended.

Clifford Chance advised Italy’s first infrastructure fund F2i on an agreement with renewable company Veronagest regarding F2i Second Fund’s acquisition of one of Italy’s main wind portfolios, and assisted a pool of banks and mandated lead arrangers, including Banca IMI, BNP Paribas - Italian Branch, Intesa Sanpaolo, Natixis - Milan Branch and UniCredit, with the €162m financing of the 9Ren portfolio. Umberto Penco Salvi is the key contact.

Linklaters focuses on energy-related acquisitions, restructurings, export credits, bonds and portfolio refinancing as well as post-closing issues. The practice advised Intesa Sanpaolo/BancaIMI and SACE on the applicability of sanctions and related authorisations in connection to the multi-sourced $25bn project financing of the Yamal LNG project in Russia, and assisted F2i with the financing of its proposed bid for the acquisition of Portuguese gas distribution company EDP. Senior counsel Tessa Lee is the name to note.

Macchi di Cellere Gangemi’s areas of expertise include renewables, natural gas, electricity, water and waste regulatory, as well as energy efficiency law. Practice head Claudio Visco advised Veronagest, Idronord and QIS on the sale of electric energy producer Sol.In.Build, a company owning a 17MW solar portfolio in Sicily, to NextPower II Italia. Assisting Hydrochem with the renewal of a hydro concession is another key highlight.

McDermott Will & Emery Studio Legale Associato focuses on renewables and is ‘extremely experienced’ in the photovoltaic sector. The team advised eFM on a proposal for the financing of an energy efficiency project in the Province of Rome, and assisted BayernLB with the refinancing of a portfolio of Italian photovoltaic plants owned by CIC Renewable Energies. ‘Brilliant legal mind’ Carsten Steinhauer is recommended.

Norton Rose Fulbright offers ‘extremely high-quality’ services in energy project financing, grid connection, joint ventures, M&A, emission reduction projects, PPPs, public procurement and regulatory matters in both the oil and gas and renewables sector. Recent highlights include advising Sonnedix as borrower on the €197m refinancing of a 27 solar parks portfolio in Italy. Arturo Sferruzza is the key contact.

Paul Hastings LLP’s ‘outstanding’ energy practice assisted Interconnector Italia with the acquisition of a special purpose vehicle from Terna which will develop a 190km-long merchant line of DC extra-high voltage underground cable between Italy and France, and advised UK-based independent equity fund manager Eiser on the sale of Società Gasdotti to Macquarie and SwissLife. Lorenzo Parola is ‘a star’ in the sector, the ‘amazing’ corporate and commercial specialist Bruno Cova is also strongly recommended and newly promoted partner Francesca Morra is ‘super knowledgeable and extremely effective’.

Watson Farley & Williams LLP’s ‘impressively professional’ team recently assisted Capital Stage, Germany’s largest independent solar park operator, with the acquisition of four Italian solar parks from a leading European industrial group. Practice head Eugenio Tranchino and ‘outstanding’ project finance partner Pierpaolo Mastromarini are recommended.

CMS assisted TotalErg with all aspects of its downstream business, including commercial contracts and public tender procedures, and successfully represented petrol and petroleum refinery Raffineria di Roma in an extraordinary appeal to the President of the Republic against doubling the port tariffs applied to goods entering and exiting the Civitavecchia-Fiumicino ports. Pietro Cavasola is the key contact.

Chiomenti Studio Legale assisted FRI-EL Green Power with its partial voluntary tender offer for shares issued by Alerion Green Power, and advised EF Solare Italia on a purchase agreement with Solar Resources, which is part of Etrion, to acquire the entire corporate capital of Etrion and Helios, including 17 photovoltaic plants in Italy. Practice head Carola Antonini is recommended and administrative law specialist Filippo Brunetti is another name to note.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP advised Italian natural gas infrastructure company Snam on the separation of its gas distribution activities through a complex corporate transaction, including a partial and proportional de-merger of Italgas among other matters. Enel and A2A are other notable clients. Roberto Bonsignore and the ‘excellent’, Rome-based Ferdinando Emanuele are the key contacts for corporate matters and litigation, respectively.

Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP is well known for its advice to foreign oil and gas businesses and governments as well as for representing states and government-owned oil and gas entities in the Italian market. Libya’s National Oil Company and Ghana’s National Petroleum Corporation are key clients. The practice also assisted renewables giant Enel Green Power with its development plan throughout Northern Africa, with specific focus on Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia and Kenya. Galileo Pozzoli and Daniela Sabelli are recommended.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer assisted Acciai Speciali Terni with a judicial proceeding before the TAR Milano regarding the annulment of the Italian Energy Authority’s resolution concerning incentives to energy-intensive users. A2A and E.ON are other notable clients. Antitrust specialist Tommaso Salonico heads the practice.

Hogan Lovells Studio Legale’s client portfolio includes Kuwait Petroleum, Mitsubishi Corporation and Esso Italiana: the ‘highly qualified and professional’ practice assisted the latter, a subsidiary of ExxonMobil, on M&A, commercial, regulatory and environmental aspects of the controlled auction of its remaining 1,176 business units in Italy. Lea Dunlop is the main contact.

Nctm Studio Legale advised several Snam Group companies on general corporate and governance issues as well as on gas transportation regulatory matters. Italgas and Gruppo ERG Renew are other key clients. The ‘very talented’ Eugenio Siragusa is highly recommended.

Osborne Clarke specialises in the water and waste sectors and advises particularly often on hydric companies’ governance rules and investment in cogeneration plants; the group is also well versed in assisting with traditional oil and gas industry contracts. The client base includes independent fund management company DIF and water supplier Acque Bresciane. Riccardo Roversi and Giovanni Penzo are the names to note.

Pavia e Ansaldo advised Finanziaria Internazionale Investments on the acquisition and financing of a 6MW solar project in Lombardy, Italy, and assisted a number of Italian energy companies with the development, building, exercise and maintenance of five photovoltaic plants in the municipality of Montalto di Castro, in the Lazio region. Carlo Del Conte and Rome-based Claudio Cera are the names to note.

Mondini Rusconi Studio Legale is ‘extremely renowned for its expertise and experience in food law’, both ‘in Italy and abroad’. The practice advises Lidl Italia on labelling and presentation materials, consumer information and import/export matters, including fiscal treatment and customs duties on foodstuffs. Italian leading food manufacturer Granarolo and Austrian jam manufacturer Darbo are other key clients. Giorgio Rusconi is ‘without contest "the" food lawyer practising in Italy’. Associate Omar Cesana is also highly recommended.

Nctm Studio Legale focuses on trade, regulatory, finance, M&A, company law and general company advice and recently represented several producers of Hellim cheese from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus before the European Commission and the ECJ regarding its exclusion from registering their products as a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). Acqua Minerale San Benedetto and Fertilisers Europe are other notable clients. Bernard O’Connor and Paolo Lazzarino are recommended.

Withers Studio Legale predominantly advises family businesses and entrepreneurs on food matters and is also well-versed in dealing with food-related cross-border transactions. The client portfolio includes Spazio Verde, a Padua-based consultancy which advises on wine production, and Consorzio Italiano del Gusto, a consortium of more than 30 of the best-known Italian food and wine producers such as Barilla, Simmenthal and Pastificio Rana. Roberta Crivellaro is recommended for her ‘sound knowledge of the wine industry and high level of professionalism’ and Luca Ferrari is another name to note.

Bird & Bird advises food producers, biotech companies, and packaging manufacturers, as well as distributors, supermarkets, retailers and restaurants, on a wide range of contentious and non-contentious matters. The practice assisted fresh and frozen cream desserts company Italian Fresh Food (IFF) with its acquisition by Swiss dairy producer Emmi AG. IP specialist Giovanni Galimberti is the key contact.

The ‘very strong’ DLA Piper assists international corporate clients with legal matters concerning food and drink manufacturing, importing, supplying, selling, packaging and labelling. The client base includes PM Food, Unilever (Grom) and Gea. Corporate specialist Wolf Michael Kühne is the name to note.

Food Law Firm focuses on consulting, in-house training, training for professionals and litigation in relation to food labeling, advertising, food-related IP rights, unfair competition, product liability, relationships with suppliers, nutritional and health claims and novel foods. Paolo Borghi is the name to note.

Rödl & Partner offers consultancy in food law and food safety, including feed and food contact materials. Barbara Klaus is the name to note.

Bird & Bird’s expertise in the life sciences sector includes technology transfers, IP licensing and transactional work, regulatory and privacy issues, research and development (R&D) collaborations, clinical trials, marketing arrangements, trade mark and patent disputes, product liability and arbitration. The practice assisted Italian private healthcare sector group MultiMedica with a major acquisition of the San Giuseppe hospital in Milan. Sanofi and Bionap are other key clients. IP specialist Massimiliamo Mostardini and counsel Mario Turrini are recommended.

The ‘very talented’ BonelliErede advised Dompé on a 15-year exclusive licence and distribution agreement with MolMed granting Dompé the exclusive right to promote, market and distribute the advanced patient-specific cell therapy Zalmoxis in all member countries of the current European Economic Area. The client base also includes GlaxoSmithKline and Bracco Imaging. Andrea Carta Mantiglia is recommended, as is the ‘outstanding’ senior counsel Monica Fantino and of counsel Vincenzo Salvatore.

The ‘absolutely superior’ DLA Piper has been advising St. Jude Medical Italy on an administrative dispute concerning the public tender launched by Azienda Regionale Centrale Acquisti (ARCA) for the supply of pacemakers and defibrillators, and has been assisting Italian pharmaceutical company Dompé with a multi-jurisdictional IP and compliance project regarding the alignment of internal policies and codes of conduct of the client’s subsidiaries worldwide to local regulations and policies. Roberto Valenti is ‘top level’, while Antonio Carino is ‘one of the most knowledgeable lawyers in this sector’. Giorgia Romitelli is recommended for administrative and public law-related matters.

The ‘outstanding’ Hogan Lovells Studio Legale is active in the sectors of biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, medical devices, healthcare services, hospitals and healthcare providers and digital health. The practice assisted pharmaceutical company Recordati with a $300m acquisition of commercial rights to three drugs from AstraZeneca. Pfizer and Angelini are other notable clients. Litigation and product liability experts Francesca Rolla and Christian Di Mauro are highly recommended.

The ‘very capable’ LS Cube Studio Legale has been assisting Daiichi Sanky, Vifor Pharma and Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma with a judicial claim brought by the clients against the Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA), which challenged the client’s budget and payback resolutions issued by the agency. AH Pharma and Bristol Myers Squibb are other notable clients. Paolo Ricci, Rosanna Sovani and Paola La Licata are recommended. Massimiliano Marinozzi joined from Studio Legale e Tributario Ernst & Young in August 2017.

Pavia e Ansaldo’s areas of strength include advice and due diligence on acquisitions, assistance with the participation in public tenders, clinical trials, development of innovative solutions for advanced therapy products and applied genetics, regulatory and compliance issues, product liability and medical malpractice, litigation and advice on criminal enquiries. The practice represented Spanish pharmaceutical company Almirall in damages claims against AIFA for not admitting the drugs Almotrex and Almogran to the National Health Service’s reimbursement scheme. Agostino Migone De Amicis has ‘great and insightful experience in the field’.

The ‘excellent’ Simmons & Simmons is mainly recognised for combining its IP strength with regulatory and commercial expertise. The practice represented ViiV Healthcare in two invalidity proceedings brought by Teva and Mylan concerning the patent for ViiV’s biggest selling anti-HIV drug Kivexa. Federfarma and Astellas are other key clients. The ‘knowledgeable and kind’ IP specialist Laura Orlando has ‘a very able team’.

In the health and life sciences sector, Studio Professionale Associato a Baker & McKenzie focuses on regulatory, compliance and commercial matters. Recent highlights include assisting medical device company Abbots Laboratories with its global reorganisation and integration process following the acquisition of St. Jude Medical for $25bn. Baxter and Servier are other distinguished clients. Pierfrancesco Federici and Rome-based Aurelio Giovannelli are the names to note.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP has been advising F. Hoffmann-La Roche on appeal proceedings pending before Italy’s Council of State and the ECJ concerning an alleged anti-competitive arrangement between the client and Novartis related to the drugs Lucentis and Avastin. The client portfolio also includes AbbVie and Sanofi. Mario Siragusa and Pietro Merlino are the key contacts.

The ‘truly reliable and valuable’ Gitti and Partners assists med-tech, biotech and pharmaceutical businesses, as well as hospitals, scientific societies, contract research organisations and insurance companies, with contractual, corporate and contentious matters. Med-tech stretchable electronics business Wise is a key client. The ‘excellent’ Paola Sangiovanni and Flavio Monfrini are recommended.

Masotti Berger Cassella specialises in joint ventures and project finance agreements with public entities, private equity funding, agency and distribution agreements, patents and trademarks, regulatory requirements for medical devices and pharmaceuticals, product liability and medical negligence claims as well as contracts and public tendering procedures. Luca Masotti is the name to note.

Nctm Studio Legale has been advising global biopharmaceutical company Gilead on a number of corporate and healthcare compliance issues and assisted AstraZeneca with compliance and data protection matters related to the client’s core activities in Italy. Paolo Gallarati and Lorena Possagno are recommended.

Osborne Clarke assisted biomedical company Movendo Technology with investment matters and acted for pharmaceutical and chemical company Grifols before the Veneto Regional Administrative Tribunal in appeal proceedings concerning CSL Behring’s public tender win for the plasma derivation service in Italy. Federico Ferrara heads the practice.

Trevisan & Cuonzo specialises in advising pharmaceutical industry clients on patent litigation concerning blockbuster and other pharmaceutical drugs, as well as on pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device litigation, pharma clearance and opposition work. Key clients include AstraZeneca and Boehringer Ingelheim. Gabriel Cuonzo is the name to note.

BonelliErede specialises in advising on key areas of the luxury goods business, including management of key resources, auditing, distribution, production and IP/licensing. The practice assisted Luxottica Group’s company Delfin with its merger with Essilor and advised Roberto Cavalli on a yacht-building contract with Cerri Cantieri Navali. The ‘outstanding’ competition law specialist Francesco Anglani is strongly recommended.

Chiomenti Studio Legale provides ‘high level’ expertise on commercial, IP, employment, product liability, corporate, finance, restructuring, competition and tax matters. The practice advises fashion brand Salvatore Ferragamo on e-commerce and franchising agreements and assisted Dolce & Gabbana with a number of contractual and legal matters, including the termination of agreements with the general manager. ‘Very bright’ labour expert Emanuele Barberis is the key contact.

DLA Piper’s fashion, retail and design practice frequently assists Ralph Lauren with e-commerce matters, labelling requirements for leather goods, regulation of wearable technologies and Made in Italy, consumers’ rights of defective items replacement and termination of selective distribution agreements. Advising Hugo Boss on employment-related matters, including staff reorganisation, disciplinary procedures, change of duties and mobility, is another highlight. Giangiacomo Olivi joined Dentons in April 2018.

Hogan Lovells Studio Legale specialises in advising on legal issues related to business growth, marketing and advertisement, brand protection, talent management, social media and technology and business sustainability. The practice assisted luxury outdoor furniture brand Janus et Cie (Poltrona Frau Group) with real estate matters regarding the opening of a flagship store in Milan, and advises high fashion leather goods brand Bottega Veneta on the management of its IP portfolio and related issues. Commercial, e-commerce and privacy expert Marco Berliri is recommended.

Pavia e Ansaldo advises start-ups as well as international corporations operating in the jewelry, fashion, fine arts, fragrance, cosmetics, fine wines, furniture design, hotel and leisure sectors. The practice regularly assists Polo Ralph Lauren with IP matters including anti-counterfeiting, and advises luxury and fashion companies such as Bottega Veneta, Broggian and Triumph on labour matters. IP specialist Gian Paolo Di Santo is recommended.

Pedersoli Studio Legale assists fashion and luxury brands in the design, yachting, aviation and fine sounds sectors, offering services in corporate and M&A, private equity, banking and finance, restructuring, capital markets and litigation. The practice advised the Buccellati family on the sale of its stake in jewellery business Buccellati to Chinese investment group Gangtai. Glass manufacturer Zignago and fashion brand Stefano Ricci are other notable clients. M&A and corporate expert Antonio Pedersoli is the key contact.

The ‘excellent’ Withers Studio Legale covers the whole gamut of luxury business-related matters, including IP, brand protection, digital commerce, investments, M&A, joint ventures and reorganisations, employment, creative consultancy, real estate, tax, immigration, sponsorship, charitable collaborations and reputation management. Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, which represents major Italian fashion brands worldwide and organises the Milan fashion weeks, is a key client. Special counsel Ida Palombella and associates Tom Noad and Federica Caretta are recommended.

Bird & Bird specialises in IP-related matters, including copyright, unfair competition, trade mark disputes and data protection, as well as in corporate and M&A, employment and tax issues. The practice assisted Italian fashion group Stefanel with its debt restructuring process and recapitalisation. IP and corporate specialists Massimiliano Mostardini and Alberto Salvadè are recommended.

Gianni, Origoni, Grippo, Cappelli & Partners’ recent highlights include advising Ergon Capital Partners on the sale of Italian luxury lifestyle fashion company Golden Goose to US-based private equity firm Carlyle and assisting Italian apparel manufacturer and lifestyle brand Moncler with setting up holding and joint venture companies for fashion and luxury products distribution in the UAE. M&A and private equity expert Gianluca Ghersini is a name to note.

Nctm Studio Legale assisted leading consumer-focused private equity firm L Catterton with its acquisition of the iconic Italian brand of premium road bicycles, accessories and apparel Pinarello, and has been advising Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton on matters concerning shareholder relations and management. Paolo Montironi is the key contact.

Orsingher Ortu – Avvocati Associati provides ongoing assistance to Ferrari with matters concerning brand protection, anti-piracy and anti-counterfeiting activities, and also advised Douglas on the acquisition of 100% of corporate capital of perfumery chains Limoni and La Gardenia Beauty from Leading Luxury Group. Pierfrancesco Giustiniani is the main contact.

Simmons & Simmons’ luxury business clients include Armani and Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy, which the team advised on a number of employment-related matters. Labour expert Davide Sportelli is the key contact.

Trevisan & Cuonzo focuses on the protection of IP rights. The client base includes ultra-luxury hotels group Emaar Hotels and Resorts and men’s clothing brand Luciano Barbera. IP specialist Luca Trevisan is the name to note.

BonelliErede’s advice in the manufacturing sector focuses on corporate and M&A, restructuring and insolvency, dispute resolution, employment and tax. The practice assisted France-based private equity firm Astorg Partners with the acquisition of Surfaces Technological Abrasives from Italy-based Xenon Private Equity, and advised Italy-based steel manufacturer Acciaierie Venete on the lease and potential purchase of a steel manufacturing business under a pre-bankruptcy composition with creditor procedure. Corporate specialist Mario Roli and Genoa-based Marco Arato are the key contacts.

DLA Piper specialises in corporate and M&A transactions. Recent highlights include assisting Alfanar with the acquisition of electricity distribution systems and installations manufacturer Elettromeccanica Adriatica. Wolf Michael Kühne is the name to note.

Gianni, Origoni, Grippo, Cappelli & Partners’ areas of strength are corporate and M&A, private equity, restructuring and insolvency and competition. Advising ArcelorMittal in its joint bid with Italian steel company Marcegaglia to acquire steel plant Ilva is a key highlight, as was assisting UK-based private equity firm BlueGem with the sale of aftermarket tyres distributor Fintyre to Bain Capital.

Chiomenti Studio Legale assisted One Equity Partners with the acquisition of a significant minority shareholding in USCO, an Italy-based business operating in the manufacturing and distributing of spare and repair parts for earth-moving machines. Advising brass rods, copper strips, and special alloys producer Eredi Gnutti Metalli on the rescheduling of its financial indebtedness is another recent highlight. Luca Andrea Frignani is the key contact.

Pavia e Ansaldo’s work highlights included advising Bosch on the acquisition of Italy-based die casting and machining company Albertini Cesare and assisting steel wheel business M+W Italy with a €50m contract concerning the realisation of buildings and technological facilities for STMicroelectronics’ Catania plant. Stefano Bianchi and Sven von Mensenkampff are the names to note.

Pedersoli Studio Legale advises manufacturing businesses on corporate, financing, tax, antitrust and regulatory matters. The practice assisted the Tonoli family with the sale of its 70% stake in PET bottles producer Garda Plast to Progressio. Europa Investimenti and private equity firm Credem are other key clients.

Bird & Bird caters for clients operating in the fashion and luxury, technology, media, telecommunications and manufacturing sectors, as well as for banks, investment funds and other financial institutions. The practice advises London-based multichannel sales platform Tomorrow London Limited on commercial agreements with represented brands and designers, as well as with the daily working of its showrooms located in London, Paris, Milan and New York. PPG Industries and luxury shoes brand Renè Caovilla are other notable clients. Stefano Silvestri is the key contact.

BonelliErede’s retail-related activities include corporate and M&A, real estate finance, competition, tax and IP advice. Alessandro Balp and Emanuela Da Rin are the names to note.

DLA Piper’s recent highlights include assisting fashion business Skechers with a tax audit report concerning transfer pricing policies between the Italian company and its parent US company, and representing Alpinestars, a manufacturer of high-performance protective gear for motorcycle, auto racing, mountain biking and surfing, in a multi-jurisdictional patent litigation against Dainese, another leader in the sector. Giangiacomo Olivi joined Dentons in April 2018.

The ‘extraordinarily prepared and committed’ Latham & Watkins LLP regularly advises retail clients seeking assistance with corporate and M&A, private equity, banking and finance as well as equity and debt capital markets matters. Key highlights included assisting Carlyle with the acquisition of Italian luxury lifestyle fashion company Golden Goose Deluxe and advising Italian apparel retailer Gruppo Coin on the sale of 11% of capital in clothing company OVS through an accelerated book building process. European chair of the retail and consumer products industry group Stefano Sciolla and Antonio Coletti are recommended. The private equity, corporate finance and real estate specialist Cataldo Piccarreta joined from Gattai Minoli Agostinelli & Partners in April 2017.

Gianni, Origoni, Grippo, Cappelli & Partners advises businesses on the structuring of their retail networks in Italy and abroad, focusing on due diligence, search and securing of commercial premises, e-commerce, identification of partners and suppliers, preparation and opening of retail stores, management and promotion. Key clients include sunglasses and optical frames manufacturer Safilo and Philip Morris.

Chiomenti Studio Legale focuses on retail advice related to corporate and commercial, employment and real estate matters, administrative law, competition, financing, IP and tax. The client base includes N&W Global Vending and Investindustrial private equity fund. Corporate specialists Luigi Vaccaro and Carlo Croff are the key contacts.

Legance - Avvocati Associati is well versed in assisting retail businesses with real estate matters. The practice advised Atlantic 1 fund with a mortgage financing granted by Banca IMI, Intesa Sanpaolo, Unicredit, Credit Suisse and Banco BPM for an office and commercial real estate portfolio, and assisted Société Générale with the financing of a big McArthurGlen Designer Outlet in southern Italy.

Studio Professionale Associato a Baker & McKenzie specialises in technology-driven transactions and IT sourcing, e-commerce and e-marketing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), fintech and data protection, as well as in broadcasting, content management, new and social media. Recent highlights include assisting Scripps Networks, which was recently incorporated by Discovery Group, with the launch of a new food network channel in Italy, and advising the producer of design and technology-driven fitness equipment Technogym on the acquisition of a majority stake in Exerp. Lorenzo de Martinis, Rome-based Raffaele Giarda and counsel Paolo Galli are recommended. Francesca Gaudino is ‘one of the most important privacy experts in Italy’.

The ‘excellent’ DLA Piper handles major transactions, regulatory matters, privacy and technological development issues across the full TMT spectrum, including Internet of Things (IoT), cybersecurity and open source innovations; additionally, the team is regularly retained by clients from the retail, finance, insurance and automotive sectors seeking advice on digital and technological transformation. The practice assisted Porsche with an international project concerning the use of a technological platform for IT and data management, and advised UniCredit on the disposal of its IT division and subsequent outsourcing of business services to ICT company SIA. Alessandro Boso Carretta and the ‘easy-going and experienced’ Giulio Coraggio are recommended.Giangiacomo Olivi joined Dentons in April 2018.

Hogan Lovells Studio Legale advises clients on all TMT-related issues, including regulatory, commercial, internet service providers (ISPs) liability, e-commerce, data protection and contentious matters. The practice assists Airbnb with a number of issues, including compliance with Italian laws and regulations applicable to its activities and its users’ activities. Google/YouTube, Amazon and Facebook are other notable clients. Rome-based Marco Berliri has ‘top technical competence and perfect business understanding’. Counsel Massimiliano Masnada is also recommended.

Portolano Cavallo is ‘a leading player’ in the TMT-arena, including TV, telecoms, internet, e-commerce, movies, technology, advertising, press and publishing, and advises on the full array of transactional, regulatory, litigation and data protection aspects. The ‘outstanding’ Ernesto Apa and Francesco Portolano are recommended, as is IT and data protection expert Laura Liguori.

The ‘complete and efficient’ Gallavotti Bernardini & Partners focuses on media, entertainment and sports, communication and IT, and related intellectual and industrial property matters; the group also assists clients with related M&A, corporate and commercial transactions. Key highlights include ongoing advice to the Italian national football association FIGC on major sponsorship contracts, as well as on agreements for TV live transmission of Italy’s national football team, and assistance to Warner Bros Italia with matters concerning local co-production and distribution of motion pictures. Mario Gallavotti, Antonio Bernardini and associate Chiara Dellacasa are all recommended.

Orsingher Ortu – Avvocati Associati’s ‘great’ TMT-team is highly adept at assisting with all matters related to internet, e-commerce and data protection, IT and outsourcing, the TV and film industry, media, publishing and entertainment, advertising, gaming and telecoms. The practice advises Yahoo! on all aspects of its Italian activities, including contractual, data protection and contentious matters, and assists Disney Group companies, including Disney Channel and EuroDisney, on contractual, regulatory, IP and litigation issues. Domenico Colella is strongly recommended. Matteo Orsingher and Marco Consonni are other names to note.

Bird & Bird’s recent highlights include advising Italian major software and digital industry company TeamSystem on a number of issues, including trademarks, copyright and unfair competition, and assisting Aeroporti di Roma with antitrust and regulatory matters regarding the provision of e-communication services to travellers. IP specialist Massimiliano Mostardini and Rome-based counsel Federico Marini-Balestra, who is an antitrust expert, are recommended.

Chiomenti Studio Legale’s recent highlights include advising the national broadband operator Tiscali on the transfer of its broadband service Tiscali Business branch to Fastweb, and assisting Vivendi with the negotiation of a deal with Telecom Italia for the distribution of Studio+ audio-visual contents through mobile devices. Gilbeto Nava and senior associate Giulio Vecchi are recommended.

Cugia Cuomo & Associati assisted Microsoft with Italian electronic communication regulations regarding licence requirements for terrestrial and submarine wiring and the set-up of telecoms infrastructure. Advising telecoms operator Alpitel on a pending procedure before the Antitrust Authority and the State Council for a cartel and antitrust matter involving Telecom Italia’s possible abuse of dominant position is another key highlight. Fabrizio Cugia di Sant’Orsola is the key contact.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer advised Hellman & Friedman on regulatory aspects of its acquisition of global financial technology business Allfunds Bank from Intesa Sanpaolo, Santander, General Atlantic and Warburg Pincus, and assisted Novomatic Italia with the proposed joint venture between gaming operator Lottomatica Holding and Admiral Entertainment, which is controlled by the client. Luca Ulissi is recommended.

Gianni, Origoni, Grippo, Cappelli & Partners’ recent highlights include advising Sky Italia on a corporate joint venture project with some of the major Italian independent film producers, in order to create Vision Distribution, a new hub for the distribution of Italian and international films in Italy, and assisting Telecom Italia before the Toscana TAR with an appeal issued by telecoms operator Terrecabalate Reti e Servizi, which challenged the client’s win in the tender called by the University of Siena for its network connection service. Luca Rinaldi is a name to note.

Mondini Rusconi Studio Legale’s expertise serves the television, radio, film, music, and videogame industries, and includes advertising regulations, commercial contracts, copyright and trademarks, internet law, new technologies, privacy and transmission regulations. Warner Bros, Feltrinelli Editore and Univideo are notable clients. Giorgio Mondini and Silvia Mondini are the key contacts.

Nctm Studio Legale advises clients on a wide range of matters in the telecoms and ICT sectors, including construction, development, maintenance and operation of transmission networks, and provision of ICT products and services, as well as on mobility services and devices, and creation and development of e-commerce platforms. The practice provides ongoing assistance to Nokia on corporate and commercial matters with a specific focus on network operations. Deutsche Bank and Fujitsu are other key clients. Vittorio Noseda and Paolo Lazzarino are recommended.

CMS has been assisting Intesa Sanpaolo Group’s company Infogroup with a number of outsourcing agreements concerning the supply of IT services to banks, governmental organizations and other clients, and has been advising Italian sport newspaper publisher NES Editoriale on data protection and IP issues involved in the managing and operation of the websites of newspapers Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport, which contain tools for videos and advertising services. Italo de Feo and associate Marco Leone are names to note.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP specialises in regulatory matters, antitrust, litigation, privacy, data protection, investigation and patent-related disputes. The practice defended Telecom Italia against a damages claim by PosteMobile. Sky Italia and F2i are other notable clients. Antitrust experts Mario Siragusa and Marco D’Ostuni are the main references.

ICT Legal Consulting - Studio Legale Associato Balboni, Bolognini & Partners specialises in IT, data protection and IP. The practice regularly advises Ferrero International and Virgin Active Italia on data protection issues; Fiat Chrysler and Sky Italia are other key clients. Paolo Balboni and Luca Bolognini are the names to note.

Legance - Avvocati Associati is active in the electronic, communication, media and entertainment sectors, as well as in consumer protection and internet, e-commerce and information society services. The practice assisted Iliad with contractual, regulatory, consumer and distribution aspects of its proposed entry as the fourth mobile network operator in the Italian market. Fastweb and PosteMobile are other key clients. Managing associate Valerio Mosca, who was appointed head of the TMT department in October 2016, is recommended.

Osborne Clarke’s expertise includes mobile technology, computer software, block-chain technology, advertising, video-gaming, social media, satellite services, audio-visual regulatory matters and data protection. The client portfolio includes Sony Music Entertainment and US advertising company Integral Ad Science. Andrea Rizzi is the key contact.