The Legal 500

Di Tanno e Associati recently expanded with the arrival of four associates, including Barbara Emma Pizzoni from Bonelli Erede Pappalardo. The practice advised on the tax aspects of the Varesine development’s restructuring and assisted with the tax side to a joint venture in China intended to expand Elica’s business in the Chinese market. Founding partner Tommaso Di Tanno and Fabio Brunelli are recommended.

With offices in Milan, Rome and London, Maisto e Associati focuses extensively on Italian and international tax law issues concerning M&A, group taxation, tax planning, capital markets, transfer pricing, litigation and executive compensation. Founding partner Guglielmo Maisto is a deeply respected practitioner.

Vitali Romagnoli Piccardi E Associati is particularly experienced in the tax side to corporate and M&A, reorganisations, banking and finance, securitisations, structured finance, real estate, transfer pricing and litigation. The name partners Enrico Vitali, Dario Romagnoli and Lorenzo Piccardi are widely praised.

Bonelli Erede Pappalardo is well known for its tax advice in M&A, capital markets, finance and real estate transactions, as well as transfer pricing matters. Andrea Silvestri and Andrea Manzitti are respected practitioners.

Chiomenti Studio Legale’s Paolo Giacometti leads a team that distinguishes itself for its tax advice on transactional work and cross-border deals, as well as tax litigation. Credit Suisse and BNP Paribas were assisted with the tax amnesty procedures concerning banking clients who had repatriated assets in Italy.

Biscozzi Nobili provides an integrated service in relation to the tax structuring of corporate law transactions. Name partners Luigi Biscozzi and Raffaele Nobili are recommended.

CBA Studio Legale e Tributario has a large tax team that is respected for its tax consulting services, international tax planning, transfer pricing and tax due diligence.

CMS Adonnino Ascoli & Cavasola Scamoni acted for Total in tax due diligence connected to its joint venture with ERG. Giuseppe Ascoli and Pietro Adonnino are recommended.

Fantozzi e Associati acts on a broad range of high-profile tax matters, including international taxation, litigation, tax planning and transactional issues. Augusto Fantozzi is recommended.

Studio Associato Legale Tributario fondato da Franco Gallo was established over 40 years ago by former Minister of Finance Franco Gallo. The practice acts on the transactional and contentious aspects of corporate taxation, corporate reorganisations, tax planning, the taxation of financial institutions and indirect taxation, including VAT and custom duties.

Led by Renato Paternollo, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer advised several foreign bank and companies in connection with audits carried out by the Italian tax authorities in relation to tax credit refunds. Paternollo has ‘extensive experience of dealing with bank tax issues’.

Legance Studio Legale Associato has increased its market share of standalone tax work. The team advised on the innovative tax structuring of a leading multinational shipping group’s joint venture with Venice Logistic and Shipping. Claudia Gregori is recommended, and ‘great negotiator’ Marco Graziani is ‘capable of understanding all the aspects of a deal’.

NCTM Studio Legale Associato recently advised four large multinationals in tax litigations and the negotiation of tax settlements in relation to tax haven and transfer pricing issues. Co-managing partner Piermauro Carabellese and department head Federico Trutalli are recommended.

Allen & Overy – Studio Legale Associato advises on all aspects of corporate tax, banking tax and finance tax, frequently in relation to transactional work. The team acted for UniCredit on the tax aspects of its non-cumulative fixed/floating rate subordinated notes. In tax litigation, Crédit Agricole was assisted in a complex matter concerning the successful refund of corporate tax credits. Francesco Bonichi provides ‘quality service, appropriate advice and knowledge of the banking sector’. A dedicated Italian tax desk opened in London to support cross-border transactions. Francesco Guelfi is the Milan tax head.

Studio Professionale Associato a Baker & McKenzie’s transfer-pricing team has been especially active. Other highlights included acting for Motorola on the restructuring of its Italian operations.

Carnelutti Studio Legale Associato ‘provides detailed and appropriate advice’. The practice assists Whirlpool and Arkema on a daily basis with tax matters. L’Oréal was advised on the tax side to its acquisition of YSL Beauté.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP was Italian tax counsel to Accor and Edenred in the spin-off of Accor’s Services business and provided Italian tax advice in connection with BNP Paribas’ €4.3bn rights offering. Rome-based Vania Petrella is ‘technically and commercially good’.

Led by the ‘available and skilled’ Maricla Pennesi, DLA Piper advises on tax issues in the TMT, pharma, financial services, real estate and IP sectors. The practice is also noted for business tax restructuring and for its work on tax audits and subsequent tax litigation. Antonio Tomassini is ‘consistently creatve in his solutions’.

Led by Luca Dezzani, Dewey & LeBoeuf Studio Legale advises clients on pure tax-driven transactions, providing tax structuring advice to corporate transactions, and assisting with the day-to-day tax affairs of businesses. The practice advised on the Moby Group’s tax-driven reorganisation. Of counsel Silvia Medici is a key contact.

Studio Tributario Associato Facchini Rossi Scarioni advises a predominantly Italian client base on corporate income tax, VAT and structuring matters. Luca Rossi, Francesco Facchini and Paolo Scarioni are principal contacts.

Niche practice Studio Legale Tributario Fiorentini is recommended for transactional tax advice, litigation up to Supreme Court level, and international tax planning.

Gianni, Origoni, Grippo & Partners recently assisted major corporations with respect to the interpretation and implementation of new rules concerning corporate, VAT and other taxes. Highlights included advising the Philips Group in connection with the acquisition of Italian coffee maker group Saeco.

Hogan Lovells Studio Legale ‘offers the best service in terms of availability, price and knowledge of tax matters’. The practice recently acted on a series of capital markets transactions for clients such as Ford Credit Europe Bank and BNP Paribas. On the disputes side, the practice assisted Micron Technologies Italia with customs litigation and Roma Soccer in VAT claims. Fulvia Astolfi is recommended. Domenico Borzumato left the firm.

Jones Day advised Bell Microproducts on the tax aspects of structuring the closing down of its Italian subsidiary. Marco Lombardi is the key contact.

Macchi di Cellere Gangemi’s ‘proactive and thorough’ Bruno Gangemi leads the team. Axus, a Société Générale company, was represented in two tax litigation proceedings, and eBay was assisted with the reorganisation of the group’s Italian legal entities.

McDermott Will & Emery Studio Legale Associato’s ‘outstanding team’ has successfully acted for an increasing number of clients in tax controversy issues. The practice is also focused on the tax side to business restructurings, M&A and finance transactions. Carlo Maria Paolella is ‘thoughtful and smart’.

Simmons & Simmons advises on the tax aspects of M&A, international group structuring and reconstructions, equity and debt capital markets, banking, share incentives, tax investigations and disputes. Michele Citarella focuses on tax planning and M&A-related advice.

Tonucci & Partners in alliance with Mayer Brown LLP’s Piero Alonzo regularly advises an Italian private equity powerhouse in Italian tax law. Active in the film industry, Gian Marco Committeri is noted for the tax aspects of extraordinary transactions and IPOs.

Studio Uckmar advises on corporate and tax law matters, and is especially focused on international and financial taxation. Victor Uckmar is widely admired by peers and clients.

Headed by the ‘well prepared’ Paola Flora, Ashurst’s tax department advises on the Italian and cross-border tax aspects of transactions, as well as the structuring of employment incentive schemes and tax litigation. The Merlin group was assisted with the Italian tax implications of its debt restructuring and corporate reorganisation.

Belluzzo & Associati advises on the tax aspects to M&A transactions and real estate deals. The practice also advises on international and domestic tax planning as well as compliance matters. ‘Enjoying the support of strong teams both in Milan and London’, managing partner Luigi Belluzzo is ‘quick, efficient and creative’.

Clifford Chance advises on all aspects of tax in complex transactions and has significant experience in the structuring and financing of inbound and outbound investments. The practice assisted with the tax structuring aspects of Intesa San Paolo’s launch of the first bond issued directly by an Italian issuer for investment by US participants in DTC.

De Berti Jacchia Franchini Forlani’s tax unit acts on complex international tax matters related to the attribution of profits to permanent establishments, transfer pricing and structured finance, as well as high-profile tax litigation. Brioni was represented in the reorganisation of its worldwide wholesale and retail divisions from a tax law perspective. ‘Outstanding tax specialist’ Massimiliano Gazzo ‘shows interest in his clients and is knowledgeable in several fields’.

Led by Felice D’Acquisto, Labruna Mazziotti Segni’s tax practice is experienced in transfer pricing, as well as VAT and tax planning. The practice assisted Nortel Network in Administration to obtain a tax ruling from the Italian tax authorities excluding the application of the succession tax liability regime.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe provides a complete range of tax services in relation to securitisations, restructuring, corporate, M&A and energy transactions. Dunlop and Italtel were represented in tax litigation. Alessandro Mainardi is ‘very keen on finding alternative solutions’.

Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker (Europe) LLP ‘stands out for its wide network and large numbers of experienced professionals’. The practice represented Telecom Italia in ADR matters concerning inspections and audits carried out by the Guardia di Finanza. Bernadette Accili is ‘very competent in all fiscal topics, especially in VAT’.

Pedersoli e Associati has promoted senior associate Andrea de’ Mozzi to junior partner. Ningbo Yuren Knitting Machine was assisted with the tax aspects relating to the acquisition of Steiger Participations and Steiger Fashion. Giovanni Bandera is recommended.

Pirola Pennuto Zei & Associati provides tax assistance in connection with corporate transactions, as well as advising on domestic and international tax planning and the optimisation of personal taxation. Bain Capital is a client.

Portolano Colella Cavallo Studio Legale has developed a tax practice with the arrival of Antonello Lupo from Norton Rose Studio Legale. Lupo is recommended for tax advice in relation to M&A, corporate structures, tax litigation, and tax planning.

SJ Berwin LLP’s ‘service is first-class. It is always available for us and always flexible.’ The team, led by Emidio Cacciapuoti, provides tax planning advice on domestic and multi-jurisdictional transactions, and is experienced in the tax structuring of financing transactions.