The Legal 500

Within Administrative law, DLA Piper LLP is a second tier firm,

DLA Piper’s ‘very good team’ recently advised on public law issues in the infrastructure sector, on real estate laws, and acted in arbitration and administrative court litigation. Giorgia Romitelli is head of public law, and Guido Inzaghi leads on regulatory, zoning and planning matters.

Within Banking and finance, DLA Piper LLP is a third tier firm,

DLA Piper is noted mainly for its real estate finance experience, but the team is also active in leveraged, trade receivables and asset finance and corporate loans. Additionally, it has niche expertise in export finance, assisting both arrangers and SACE, with English law advice co-ordinated by Milan partner Martin Pugsley. On the project finance side, the group has solid practices in both infrastructure and energy. Milan-based Mario D’Ovidio heads the banking team. In Rome, Luigi Rizzi and project finance leader Rodolfo Errore are recommended.

Within Debt Other recommended firms

Within Equity, tier 4

DLA Piper’s ‘service is extremely professional’. The team advised Unicredit Bank on the accelerated bookbuilding of listed shares held by Carlo Tassara. Practice head Francesco Aleandri and Luigi Rizzi are key contacts. Domenico Gaudiello is ‘particularly good’.

Within Corporate and M&A: Milan and Rome, DLA Piper LLP is a third tier firm,

Gianni, Origoni, Grippo, Cappelli & Partners is ‘within the select elite of Italian law firms that distinguishes itself for consistent quality of service’. Recently the firm secured the coup of welcoming the highly regarded Roberto Cappelli from the now-dissolved firm of Grimaldi e Associati. The practice acted on VimpelCom’s agreement to acquire Weather Investments in a combined cash and share-swap transaction, and was counsel to Lazard, the financial adviser to the sellers, regarding Groupe Lactalis’ acquisition of a 15.34% stake in Parmalat. The team also assisted Gruppo Coin’s management with the sale of 78.7% of share capital to BC Partners. In Rome, senior partner Francesco Gianni gives ‘great availability for somebody of his seniority, and has excellent relationships with the Italian community’s decision-makers’. Milan-based head of industrial M&A and corporate Alessandro Giuliani is ‘one of the best corporate lawyers in Italy’. Richard Hamilton joined from Clifford Chance, but Fabio del Bene and two associates moved to DLA Piper.

Within Dispute resolution, tier 4

DLA Piper combines ‘a punctual and accurate boutique service, but is supported by an international approach and reach’. Italy head of disputes Bruno Giuffré is ‘sharp and experienced’, and the ‘smart and focused’ Raffaella Quintana in Rome leads in white-collar crime matters. The team recently acted in a dispute arising from the acquisition of the capital of two companies. David Marino, construction arbitration specialist Stefano Modenesi and Rome-based Francesco Cerasi are all praised.

Within EU, regulatory and competition law, tier 5

DLA Piper’s recent instructions include cartel, abuse of dominant position and unfair commercial practices cases before the IAA, in addition to private enforcement cases before the civil courts. The practice assisted FIEG (Italian Federation of Newspaper Publishers) in a claim against Google for abuse of dominant position in the search engine and online advertising markets. Francesca Sutti is ‘quick to act and follows up diligently’. Alessandro Boso Caretta is also a key adviser.

Within Employment, DLA Piper LLP is a third tier firm,

DLA Piper’s recent matters include advising on employment contracts with key managers pursuant to a company’s acquisition, assisting with collective dismissal procedures, and negotiating a long-term incentive plan for top managers and directors. Fabrizio Morelli is ‘outstanding’, and Giampiero Falasca is also recommended. Former practice head Aldo Calza departed to establish The Employment Law Plant.

Within Energy, DLA Piper LLP is a third tier firm,

DLA Piper has ‘in-depth knowledge of Italy’s energy laws and regulations’. The group has recently advised on the acquisition of solar energy plants and relevant non-recourse project financing. Matteo Falcione focuses on energy regulatory advice, Paolo Zamberletti advises natural gas traders, and Wolf Michael Kühne ‘adds value to German-Italian business’.

Within Intellectual property, DLA Piper LLP is a second tier firm,

DLA Piper welcomed Gualtiero Dragotti and a team of five lawyers from erstwhile IP boutique Dragotti Studio Legale Associato. Dragotti is experienced in patent litigation, and is ‘responsive and technically proficient’. Paramount Pictures is a client, and the practice also represented the BBC in a leading copyright case against Endemol and RTI. Roberto Valenti ‘strives to present clear and practical advice’, and Giangiacomo Olivi is also recommended.

Within Legal market overview,

In Milan, Pedersoli e Associati added Marena D’Angelo & Fagotto’s lawyers to its ranks following a merger, and DLA Piper merged with former IP boutique Dragotti Studio Legale Associato, bringing Gualtiero Dragotti and a small team to its Milan office.

Within Real estate, DLA Piper LLP is a second tier firm,

DLA Piper advised Fondo Cornero on the sale and leaseback of Banca Marche’s real estate portfolio, and acted for Hines regarding a mixed-use development. Beni Stabili is also a client. EMEA practice leader Olaf Schmidt is recommended, as is Guido Inzaghi for town planning matters, and Francesco Sanna for development and construction work. Former Italy practice head Davide Apollo departed.

Within Restructuring and insolvency, DLA Piper LLP is a third tier firm,

DLA Piper assisted a syndicate of banks with the rescheduling of Sopaf’s debt and of a planned convertible loan. Ernesto Apuzzo co-heads the practice with the experienced Antonio Lombardo, who is based in Rome. Country managing partner Federico Sutti is also a key contact.

Within TMT, DLA Piper LLP is a first tier firm,

DLA Piper is ‘an excellent firm with consistent levels of service delivery’. It is well known for negotiating contracts with all platforms, and for all types of distribution and regulatory issues, as well as for new technology launches. Italo de Feo acts on complex online and outsourcing matters, and Giangiacomo Olivi is also recommended. Additionally, the firm has a renowned online gaming practice, whose lawyers are ‘genuine experts in this field’.

Within Tax, tier 4

DLA Piper provides ‘outstanding levels of service’. It saw a marked increase in contentious tax matters in 2011 and attracted several transfer pricing instructions. Direct and indirect tax assistance continues to be the mainstay of the practice. Antonio Tomassini and practice head Maricla Pennesi are ‘always committed to meeting their clients’ needs’.