The Legal 500

Studio Professionale Associato a Baker & McKenzie ‘goes the extra mile to meet clients’ needs’. The team recently advised VF Group on advanced e-marketing tools and the launch of a brand-specific e-shop. Milan-based Lorenzo de Martinis co-ordinates the ITC Italy practice group, and is ‘available and prompt’; and data protection and security specialist Francesca Gaudino’s ‘advice is always business-oriented’. Rome-based Raffaele Giarda heads the telecoms practice in Italy and Giovanni Parrillo is a media law expert.

Portolano Cavallo Studio Legale acts for over 50 TV channels and is a go-to firm for highly complex regulatory issues. It is also experienced in IT outsourcing, and has developed its work for the telecoms industry. Head of TMT transactions Francesco Portolano is recommended along with internet and technology head Laura Liguori and media and telecoms head Ernesto Apa. Domenico Colella joined Orsingher Ortu – Avvocati Associati.

Bird & Bird, which ‘stands out for its practical approach’, advised Sky UK on satellite television issues, including the regulation of sports event highlights. In Milan, IT and media head Massimiliano Mostardini is ‘very approachable’. Rome-based Osvaldo Lombardi jointly leads the telecoms practice with Arturo Leone, who joined from Collodel, Leone, Ligi, Queirolo, Studio Legale. Senior counsel Simone Cadeddu is another key contact.

DLA Piper LLP advised on the establishment of a joint venture for a series of television channels and editorial projects. It also assisted an IT services provider with negotiating a long-term IT outsourcing project for a financial institution. Other work included advising a telecoms company on a strategic technology and content acquisition as well as an outsourcing matter and regulatory issues. Milan-based Giangiacomo Olivi and Roberto Valenti are key contacts, as is Rome-based Alessandro Boso Caretta. Italo de Feo joined CMS.

Hogan Lovells Studio Legale advises internet companies on e-commerce and internet law; assists gaming websites with commercial and regulatory issues; acts for broadcasters and publishers; and has been advising on video-on-demand development matters and the management of linear and non-linear services. The team also has significant experience of VoIP technologies, and advises on data protection and online privacy issues. Rome-based Marco Berliri and of counsel Massimiliano Masnada are recommended.

Telecoms expert Eutimio Monaco at Monaco e Associati advises on regulatory matters, disputes and the private enforcement of antitrust law. The practice is also noted for privacy law, administrative law issues and e-commerce.

Orsingher Ortu – Avvocati Associati ‘perfectly combines the experience of an international firm with the tailor-made advice of a boutique practice’. This TMT-focused team has experience spanning technology, the internet and e-commerce, data protection, advertising, telecoms, and media and entertainment. The team assisted a US-based software company with the purchase of certain technology in Italy. Matteo Orsingher is a media and entertainment specialist, who has ‘a pragmatic approach to solving issues’; Fabrizio Sanna is a TV and film expert; and Marco Consonni specialises in e-commerce, the internet and data protection. Domenico Colella, one of the founding partners of Portolano Colella Cavallo Studio Legale (which is now known as Portolano Cavallo Studio Legale), joined as a partner in May 2012. He is ‘open to finding the most appropriate solutions’.

Cugia Cuomo & Associati’s founding partner Fabrizio Cugia di Sant’Orsola is a multimedia and telecoms specialist. He handles telecoms and IT matters, including advising carriers on the introduction of convergent telecoms services.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer advises Betfair Italia on Italy’s evolving gambling regulations, including privacy law and contractual issues. Rome-based Luca Ulissi is recommended.

Gallavotti Honorati de Marco & Partners’ Mario Gallavotti has experience in the media and entertainment sectors. Antonio Bernardini has advised media start-ups, and is also experienced in new media platforms, digital management, and communication networks and related applications.

Pirola Pennuto Zei & Associati’s experience includes advising foreign enterprises on launching TV channels in Italy; assisting Italian TV broadcasters with channels that are distributed abroad; and advising on opera shows that are to be performed internationally. Rome-based Francesca Lodigiani is ‘completely in tune with the client’s business’.

Bonelli Erede Pappalardo recently advised Carraro on an agreement with IBM, concerning the outsourcing of the development of a new integrated information system.

Carnelutti Studio Legale Associato’s recent highlights include assisting Memoria, and a group of Italian investors, with setting up a joint venture with a French publisher to develop the Italian edition of a French fashion magazine.

Stefania Bariatti is the key contact at Chiomenti Studio Legale, which advised ZTE Corporation on turnkey telecoms projects in Italy.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP advises IT, media and telecoms clients on corporate transactions, regulatory matters, investigations, patent disputes, licensing, and competition law.

Jones Day recently advised Apple Inc on regulatory matters pertaining to iPhone and iPad technology. Stefano Macchi di Cellere is recommended.

Legance Studio Legale Associato recently advised an Italian fixed network communication services provider on regulatory, contractual and contentious matters. Gilberto Nava co-ordinates the team on TMT matters.

Libertini Mario Studio Legale’s Mario Libertini is excellent for telecoms disputes and regulatory issues.

Mondini Rusconi Studio Legale is recommended for its experience in the cinema, music and advertising sectors.

NCTM Studio Legale Associato advised Nokia Siemens Networks Italia on the tentative outsourcing of its microwave radio business. Milan-based Paolo Gallarati specialises in communications and technologies, Carlo Grignani focuses on TMT matters, and Vittorio Noseda is also recommended.

Studio Legale Associato in affiliation with Simmons & Simmons LLP’s Filippo Fioretti recently acted for Libero, the Italian internet portal, on a range of corporate and commercial matters.