The Legal 500

Astolfo Di Amato & Associati-Avvocati is noted for corporate and commercial law, and litigation. It defended Eternit in the first class action in Italy, involving approximately 3,000 claims brought for asbestos-related deaths and illnesses. Alessio Di Amato is ‘available and flexible’, and Astolfo Di Amato is also recommended.

Barenghi & Associati’s practice spans corporate work, including contracts, joint ventures and corporate finance; insolvency law; IP; labour law; litigation, arbitration and ADR; and private client work. Andrea Barenghi is recommended.

CBM & Partners advises on corporate law, banking and finance, employment law, heritage and art law, real estate, e-commerce, and litigation.

Coccia DeAngelis & Associati Studio Legale E Tributario handles banking and finance, corporate and tax matters. It is also experienced in sports and entertainment law, competition and antitrust, energy and natural resources, as well as IP, e-commerce and IT, arbitration and ADR.

Colonnelli de Gasperis’ ‘level of service is excellent’. Clients include US construction equipment company Caterpillar for M&A and restructuring activities in Italy and fashion group Maria La Rosa for M&A. Mattia Colonnelli de Gasperis ‘impresses with his experience and knowledge’.

Studio Legale Associato – Deloitte is the legal branch of accountancy firm Deloitte, and it is a full-service practice including corporate law, banking and finance, labour law and taxation.

‘Highly competent firm’ Graziadei Studio Legale is particularly experienced in banking and finance law, dispute resolution, as well as TMT and IP. Giuseppe Rizzo is ‘available, especially during a crisis’. Benedetta Navarra is ‘sharp and prepared’, and Francesco Trotta ‘provides wise advice’.

Jenny & Partners spans the full scope of banking and finance and corporate and commercial law and ancillary areas, including IP, employment law, insolvency and litigation. In 2011, labour law group head Giuseppe Cucurachi was made equity partner, and real estate and construction law expert Ruben Pescara became a salary partner. Christoph Jenny is managing partner.

LCA Lega Colucci & Associati is focused on corporate and commercial law matters, and its services are mainly aimed at companies and financial institutions. The firm recently recruited commercial and banking law specialist Fabrizio Colonna from CBA Studio Legale e Tributario.

La Scala & Associati’s Giuseppe La Scala heads the litigation department and Riccardo Bovino leads the corporate and M&A group. The firm recently assisted a leading Italian financial institution with its rights issue. It also acts on banking and finance and regulatory matters, as well as IP, employment and insurance law.

Originally established as a corporate and commercial boutique, Nunziante Magrone has also developed regulatory and tax practice areas, as well as litigation and arbitration capabilities.

Studio Legale Padovan is ‘efficient, professional and careful’. The firm acted as legal adviser to Cassa di Risparmio di Ferrara in the securitisation of mortgage loans receivables. Additionally, its litigation group enjoyed a busy year and the firm has also developed an international construction law practice. Marco Padovan has ‘excellent business acumen and outstanding leadership at the negotiation table’.

Benedetti, Lorusso, Benedetti, Studio Legale is noted for civil, business, corporate and administrative law, and is especially focused on corporate dispute resolution. Rama, a public transport company in Tuscany, was advised on a distribution agreement with Chinese parties. Alessandro Benedetti, Mario Benedetti and Silvano Donato Lorusso are key contacts.

Carnelutti (which is unaffiliated with Carnelutti Studio Legale Associato) has offices in Rome, Milan, Padua and Naples. It is a full-service firm with notable experience in advising clients in the biotechnology, aerospace, IT and communications sectors.

Coggiatti e Associati is ‘professional and consistent in its advice’, and is experienced in banking and finance, insurance, sports and telecommunications law, as well as dispute resolution. Massimo Dotto is ‘a top-quality lawyer and always available’.

Studio Legale de Meo & Associati is experienced in dispute resolution and shipping law, and has offices in Rome, Milan and Naples.

Heussen Studio Legale e Tributario focuses on dispute resolution, tax law, energy and real estate. The firm assisted Luneur Park, the new licensee of the historic amusement park in Rome, in proceedings before the Civil Court of Rome. The practice has advised Prince Sports in tax matters for several years. Luca Mirabelli is the disputes contact, Luca Alberto Pagnotta is an energy and real estate specialist, and Filippo Lorcet is the tax partner.

Italy Legal Focus – Studio Legale Bernascone & Soci’s Gabriele Bernascone is ‘excellent’, and ‘his industry knowledge a plus’. The firm is noted for its experience in corporate law, energy, restructuring and real estate. It recently advised Medtronic on the merger of Invatec Italia with Medtronic Italia. Paola Sangiovanni is ‘one of the most prepared and reliable lawyers’.

Bari-based Loconte & Partners also has an office in Milan, and is noted for its corporate and tax law experience. The practice advised Gruppo Conserva on restructuring, and regularly represents Alitalia in litigation in Puglia and Lombardy. Managing partner Stefano Loconte is ‘excellent’.

Panetta & Associati is noted for energy infrastructure and TMT work. The firm recently acted in a large telecoms-related ADR matter, advised on the authorisation of photovoltaic projects, and assisted with IT regulatory matters. Name partner Rocco Panetta is a former of counsel at Portolano Colella Cavallo Studio Legale.

Studio Legale Pierallini & Associati is known for its aviation law expertise, and recently assisted a helicopter emergency services company in the competitive bidding process for the operational and technical maintenance services contract pertaining to 19 aircraft. The practice also advised on an aircraft lease novation related to Alitalia’s aircraft. Laura Pierallini and Gianluigi Ascenzi are ‘excellent and determined, and give clients their full support’.

Full-service firm Quorum Legal Network was formed when a group of partners, including Nicola Romano, Corrado Cardarello, Andrea Patrizi, Giovanni Mangialardi spun off from Tonucci & Partners in alliance with Mayer Brown LLP in 2011. The practice advised French multinational company Stago on its start-up activities in Italy. Romano is experienced in litigation and restructuring. Francesco Fiore is also a key contact.

TLS – Associazione Professionale di Avvocati e Commercialisti is PwC’s legal arm in Italy. It is a full-service firm with numerous offices across the country.

Studio Legale Zunarelli e Associati is a full-service law firm that was established 20 years ago in Bologna, and now also has offices in Milan, Rome, Trieste, Verona, Ravenna, Rimini and Palermo, as well as Shanghai. Bologna-based Stefano Zunarelli has ‘deep knowledge of transport law’, and Massimo Campailla is also recommended. Bologna-based Andrea Giardini ‘resolves clients’ problems’, and Trieste-based Alberto Pasino is well regarded.

Galgano handles corporate and commercial matters, and litigation. It has recognised expertise in the banking and financial, capital markets and technology sectors.

Gianni, Origoni, Grippo, Cappelli & Partners is renowned not only for ‘outstanding M&A experience’, but also for litigation, arbitration and administrative law. The practice advised Gruppo Basso and its companies in debt and equity restructuring. Pietro Buccarelli ‘provides correct advice’, and Federico Dettori is also recommended.

Studio Legale AS&T is praised for its transport practice, and also has additional offices in Milan, Venice and Ravenna. The practice advised a Dubai-based company in litigation relating to a long-term contract for the construction and sale of yachts, which included freezing orders in Italy. Claudio Perrella is lauded for his ‘knowledge of the subject and explanation of the issues’.

Studio Legale Bernini e Associati acts in civil law, trust matters, international commercial law, antitrust law, litigation, IP, e-commerce, and sports law. The partners are Giorgio Bernini, Anna Maria Bernini and Bianca Maria Giacò.

Studio Legale de Capoa e Associati specialises in commercial law, both domestic and international, as well as EU law. Antonio de Capoa is a key contact.

Macchi di Cellere Gangemi’s Antonio Bondesani is noted for M&A, private equity, banking and finance, debt restructuring, insolvency and corporate reorganisations.

Nunziante Magrone has over 40 fee earners spread between Milan, Rome and Bologna. Giovanni Facchinetti Pulazzini, assists clients in real estate matters as well as civil and commercial litigation.

Studio Legale Zunarelli e Associati is especially well known for its transport law expertise. Stefano Zunarelli, Andrea Giardini and Massimo Campailla are recommended.

Bonelli Erede Pappalardo’s Franco Bonelli is the office’s best known personality. Bonelli has advised major corporations and government bodies on a wide range of corporate matters and strategic transactions. He is especially well regarded for M&A, restructuring and privatisation, and also practises litigation and arbitration.

Studio Legale Afferni Crispo & C. specialises in commercial law. A second office is run from Milan. Founding partner Vittorio Afferni’s practice focuses on commercial and corporate law, insurance law, and banking and building contracts. Fellow founding partner Lucio Crispo has a particular focus on corporate law and insurance law. He has also chaired arbitral tribunals.

Studio Legale Boglione is well known for shipping law matters. The office also acts in general transport law matters, insurance law, and arbitration.

Studio Legale Garbarino Vergani is noted for wet and dry shipping, ship finance, vessel sales and purchases, and shipping fund transactions, and is ‘very well connected with the market, especially with P&I and H&M underwriters, and brokers’. Enrico Vergani has ‘a first-class intellect which he applies to complex commercial problems and disputes’.

‘The service is fast and accurate’ at ten-partner Studio Legale Giorgi, which advises on corporate and commercial matters including M&A, banking law, international trade, insurance, property law, litigation, restructuring, insolvency, energy, and tax. Giorgio Giorgi ‘finds simple legal solutions to complicated problems’.

‘Proactive and client-oriented firm’ Piccinini & Associati is recommended for shipping law, marine insurance, and general transport law advice, including charterparty disputes, shipping finance and commercial matters. The key figures are senior partner Michel’Angelo Piccinini and founding partner Michele Piccinini, who is ‘a strong personality’.

Studio Legale Riccomagno focuses on commercial and international matters, and is especially experienced in transport law, shipping, international transactions, arbitration and international litigation. Mario Riccomagno is recommended.

Studio Legale Sutti’s labour law expert Giuliano Pennisi is the key contact in Genoa.

Studio Uckmar is respected for its tax law expertise, especially with regards to customs law issues. Paolo Dè Capitani Di Vimercate is ‘one of the best tax lawyers I have ever worked with worldwide’, according to one client.

Astolfo Di Amato & Associati-Avvocati has six fee earners in its Naples office. The practice advised a southern Italian bank on its corporate matters and recovery of credits, and represented an Italian jewellery manufacturer in product liability matters and commercial litigation.

Studio Legale Avv Prof Michele Sandulli & Associati assists its clients with extraordinary operations, such as mergers, divestments and LBOs, as well as pre-insolvency restructuring and reorganisation procedures. Michele Sandulli is recommended.

Studio Legale Scognamiglio is a full-service firm headquartered in Naples, with other offices in Rome and Milan. It has a noteworthy dispute resolution and international arbitration practice, and houses experts in corporate and commercial law, EC and competition, employment and real estate. Giovanni Scognamiglio is well regarded.

Carnelutti (which is unaffiliated with Carnelutti Studio Legale Associato) is a full-service firm with notable expertise in the biotechnology, aerospace, IT and communications sectors. It has other offices in Rome, Milan and Padua.

Studio Legale Lauro provides a wide range of contentious and non-contentious legal services in maritime, insurance, banking, bankruptcy, corporate and commercial, and international law matters. Francesco Lauro is the managing partner.

Innocenzo Militerni is the key contact at Militerni & Associati, which is a full-service firm with other offices in Milan, Rome and Bergamo.

PG Legal’ Naples branch is strongly focused on dispute resolution. Its main offices are in Milan and Rome.

CBA Studio Legale e Tributario’s founding partner Francesco Camilotti deals with corporate and M&A matters, developments, and greenfield and turnkey initiatives in the energy sector, with a focus on renewable sources.

Gianni, Origoni, Grippo, Cappelli & Partners assisted Assicurazioni Generali in a complex dispute with the Italian Insurance Regulatory Authority, and represented building company Ormenese Costruzioni in a pre-bankruptcy composition with creditors. Paolo Brugnera and Marco Malipiero are ‘great professionals’, Giacomo Sartor and Paolo Gnignati are also recommended.

SLA Osborne Clarke (Member of the Osborne Clarke Alliance)’s Padua office head Federica Greggio is an expert in commercial and banking law, as well as debt and equity finance and commercial credit, with experience including syndicated loans, leveraged and acquisition finance. Key clients include UniCredit, Cassa di Risparmio di Bolzano, MPS Capital Banking and Grifols.

Studio Legale AC Law – Ceccon & Associati is a full-service firm with associated offices in Milan, Rome, Turin and London. Roberto Ceccon is the principal contact.

Pirola Pennuto Zei & Associati is a multidisciplinary practice with offices all over the country, as well as branches in London and China. The services provided include tax, IP, labour law, M&A, corporate finance and IT.

Tonucci & Partners in alliance with Mayer Brown LLP’s Carlo Scarpa is recommended for commercial law, international trade, M&A and corporate matters, IP, civil litigation and arbitration, as well as tax law. Alessandro Vasta heads the IP group.

Gianni, Origoni, Grippo, Cappelli & Partners is ‘outstanding for efficacy and timing’. The group acted on Oto Melara’s transfer of its BREDA trade mark and associated patents and assets. The practice also advised on the groundbreaking restructuring of Socotherm. Moreno Martini is recommended.

Grande Stevens: Studio Legale Associazione Professionale provides legal assistance in transactional matters and litigation. The practice has developed extensive experience in M&A, financial law and capital markets. Franzo Grande Stevens is renowned. However, a number of partners left the firm and joined Pedersoli e Associati’s new office.

Pedersoli e Associati opened in Turin following the arrival of equity partners Andrea Gandini, Marcello Magro, Carlo Re, Mario Napoli (president of the Turin Bar) and Eugenio Barcellona, as well as four junior partners and IP of counsel Sergio Speranza, from Grande Stevens: Studio Legale Associazione Professionale. Gandini is ‘solid and reliable’, Magro is ‘commercially astute, cost-effective, and has a strong negotiating attitude when required’, and Barcellona is ‘a master at managing sophisticated M&A deals. He is also a tenacious negotiator, with a full understanding of the market’. Napoli and Re ‘impress with their legal skills and friendly and reassuring approach’. The practice represented Parmalat in a suit concerning the liability of Standard & Poor’s regarding the investment grade assigned to the company’s bonds.

Jacobacci has a strong reputation for IP matters and its ‘advice is of a high standard’. IP expert Alberto Camusso is recommended along with Paola Gelato, who specialises in representing the cosmetics industry. Luca Ghedina heads the German desk, and specialises in patent litigation, and Barbara La Tella is noted for pharmaceutical patent disputes.

Merani & Associati is an independent Italian law firm providing legal advice and services on public and administrative law. Founding partner Carlo Merani manages a broad caseload in the administrative and regulatory area, including all facets of public procurement, urban planning, construction, environment and energy. Fellow founding partner Antonella Lauria advises on urban planning, environment, construction, compulsory acquisitions, public works, public procurement, and project finance.

Pavesio e Associati has an association with Allen & Overy – Studio Legale Associato. Its practice primarily focuses on corporate and commercial matters, labour and competition law, and administrative matters, as well as banking and financial law. In litigation, the firm assists Italian and foreign clients in civil, commercial and labour disputes, in addition to arbitration.

Pirola Pennuto Zei & Associati is a multidisciplinary practice with numerous offices around the country, as well as branches in London and China. Its services include tax, IP, labour law, M&A, corporate finance and IT.

R&P Legal – Rossotto, Colombatto & Partners recently advised a client in the electronics sector on the acquisition of Italian operations, and assisted an entertainment sector client with downsizing its top tier of management. Mario Ferrari heads the office, and Riccardo Rossotto is the IP contact.

Turin-based Tosetto Weigmann e Associati also has offices in Milan and Rome. The firm’s services include civil and family law, commercial and corporate matters, banking and finance, bankruptcy, insurance, IP, competition, administrative law, environment and energy, labour issues, and transport law. The firm also advises on personal data protection and sports law.