The Legal 500

Within Administrative law, Ashurst LLP is a third tier firm,

Ashurst stands out for being ‘able to disentangle legal complexities’. Among a body of infrastructure and energy matters, it advised First Reserve on administrative aspects of the acquisition of a 70MW solar energy project in Rovigo. Counsel Nunzio Bicchieri is ‘very experienced, and understands what drives investors’ appetites’.

Within Banking and finance, Ashurst LLP is a third tier firm,

Ashurst is renowned for its infrastructure project finance practice. It was project counsel on Turkey’s €6.5bn Gebze-Izmit toll road project and, on the energy side, advised US private equity fund First Reserve on the financing of Rovigo’s 70MW solar energy plant in eastern Italy, the largest in Europe. Franco Vigliano heads the team, which recruited Gianluca Fanti from Linklaters.

Within Corporate and M&A: Milan and Rome, tier 4

Ashurst added a new Rome office to its Milan team, and bolstered the Italian practice by bringing in Fabio Pizzoccheri from its London office and of counsel Aian Abbas from Giliberti Pappalettera Triscornia e Associati. The practice advised HealthCity South Europe on its acquisition of Fitness First Italia. Francesco De Gennaro is ‘reliable, skilled and a very good negotiator’, and Ilario Giangrossi ‘performs requests in a good and timely manner’. London-based Mark Sperotto is also a key contact.

Within Dispute resolution, tier 4

Ashurst advised Carifirenze in arbitration with BNP Paribas regarding corporate control of Findomestic. Ilario Giangrossi heads the practice, which in 2011 recruited Francesco De Gennaro to its newly opened Rome office from NCTM Studio Legale Associato.

Within EU, regulatory and competition law,

NCTM Studio Legale Associato provides ‘excellent expertise’. It advised De Agostini Group on merger filings for two highly complex transactions, and represented L’Oréal in an appeal concerning exchange of information in the cosmetics sector, which was only the second case decided in Italy as a result of the leniency application. Luca Toffoletti and of counsel Francesco Denozza are recommended. Domenico Gullo joined Ashurst LLP’s new Rome office.

Within Energy, Ashurst LLP is a third tier firm,

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.

Within Real estate Other recommended firms

Within Restructuring and insolvency,

NCTM Studio Legale Associato advised UniCredit Credit Management Bank on the liquidation of some of its Italian subsidiaries. Guido Fauda is a key contact. Francesco De Gennaro joined Ashurst’s recently opened Rome office.

Within Tax Other recommended firms