Rising Stars

Industry focus: Food in Italy

Studio Legale Corte

The department at Studio Legale Corte is highly reputed for its expertise in food crime law. Paola Corte is thoroughly experienced in assessing the legal compliance of food composition, production techniques as well as, labelling and advertising issues. Elena Corte also has vast expertise in crimes relating to the administration, marketing and distribution of food products including commercial fraud matters and work relating to the trading of counterfeit or harmful food substances.

Practice head(s):

Paola Corte; Elena Corte


Testimonials

‘Paola Corte is very knowledgeable in food law, and is very responsive’

‘The firm is the Italian go-to firm for food law. Paola Corte and Elena Corte are both exceptional lawyers.’

‘Paola Corte is intelligent, quick, efficient, has a strong personality and is a joy to work with.’

‘The firm is known for its expertise. The team includes professionals providing a mix of expertise that all together deliver thorough and in-depth support in such specific area.’

‘I trust Paola Corte and also the rest of the team, they are able to explain to me each situation with clarity and with proper assessment of risk.’

‘High competence in food law in particular on the criminal aspect of food law. Quick reaction in case of need of support, and very proactive.’

‘Elena Corte and Paola Corte are very competent on food law matters and they also have a wide knowledge of the sector.’

‘A true expert food law firm in Italy.’

Work highlights


  • Advised multiple producers, large-scale retailers and mass caterers on food production processes, food composition and labelling issues, and revised their HACCP manuals.
  • Assisted multiple large-scale retailers and producers in numerous criminal proceedings due to sampling of food products which resulted to have parasites, harmful bacteria or plant protection products exceeding allowed limits.
  • Assisted clients with performing technical due diligence regarding compliance to food law on food companies that were targets of M&A transactions.

LCA Studio Legale

With extensive expertise across the full array of food law matters, including supply chain regulations, food safety issues, and production mandates, the department at LCA Studio Legale is well equipped to assist domestic and international food companies. Nicola Lucifero oversees the practice and represents Italian and foreign companies in IP matters, competition issues and consumer protection mandates.

Practice head(s):

Nicola Lucifero


Testimonials

‘They really care about the company’s needs and are very open to change perspective if needed. Nicola Lucifero is really a great lawyer.’

‘The firm and the relevant department has an excellent reputation and the close relationships between all the departments is particularly noteworthy. The lawyers are technically excellent and experienced and are always available.’

‘Nicola Lucifero manages transactions in a safe way from a client perspective. He has solid legal knowledge and is able to find innovative solutions. He is pragmatic and clients can rely on his expertise.’

‘Efficiency in delivering the legal product.’

‘The LCA team handled the project assigned to them with great swiftness and made it a seamless operation, especially as there was quite a lot of curveballs during the course of engagement. They managed to coordinate between the client, the in-house lawyers and their internal team smoothly and efficiently.’

‘They are highly knowledgeable, professional, and very client service-focused. They delivered excellent outcomes for requests with substantial time constraints.’

‘In-depth knowledge of food law as well as the market and sector.’

Key clients

Acque Minerali d’Italia S.p.A.


Antichi Sapori dell’Etna S.r.l.


Bouvard Group


Casa del Caffè Vergnano


Colussi S.p.A.


Del Monte S.r.l.


Farmo S.p.A.


Tooa S.r.l.


Work highlights


  • Advised shareholders of Antichi Sapori dell’Etna S.r.l. on Nutkao S.r.l.’s more than €65m acquisition of a 100% stake in Antichi Sapori dell’Etna S.r.l.
  • Assisted Acque Minerali d’Italia S.p.A. and its shareholders during the €50m sale of an 80% stake in the company to US-based hedge fund sponsor Magnetar Capital LLC.
  • Assisted TooA S.r.l. with ice-cream and topping labels compliance under applicable law and the requirements needed for exporting such products to the UAE and Germany.

Mondini Bonora Ginevra Studio Legale

Mondini Bonora Ginevra Studio Legale is often engaged to represent clients in litigation concerning food supplements, special food and human consumption issues. Giorgio Rusconi oversees the department and is a founding member of the Food Lawyers’ Network worldwide. Rusconi assists regional and global clients with labelling and advertising issues, food hygiene work and organic farming matters, while associate Omar Cesana assists clients with regulatory compliance, product liability claims, and presentation issues.

Practice head(s):

Giorgio Rusconi


Other key lawyers:

Omar Cesana


Testimonials

‘The food team is a very professional and qualified.’

‘I really appreciate Giorgio Rusconi for his personality and Omar Cesana for his competence and preparation.’

Key clients

Acetificio Marcello De Nigris


Affinity Petcare


Alia Insect Farm


Appetais


Assobirra


Azienda Agricola Bregoli Rossi


Balconi


Barea


Borjomi


Botanical Club


Brenna Chimica


Caffitaly


Castel Freres


Cattel


CiGiErre


Consorzio Aceto Balsamico di Modena


Consorzio C3


Coop Nord Ovest


De Cecco


Deliveroo


Distillerie Fratelli Branca


Dolce Genuino Italia


Domca S.A.U.


Domenis 1898


Drogerie markt (DM)


Eat Meat


Emiliani


Enjoy Chips


Expergreen


Ferrero


Fiorital


Forno d’Asolo


Fresspnapf


Gastronomia Toscana


Ghirardi Prosciutti


Gimoka


Gricar


Gucci


Humana Italia


Katjes Candies


INEF s.r.l.


Kelly Deli


Lavazza


Lidl Italia


Mania


Magnani Salumi


Maxi Di


Maxi S.r.l.


Montefarmaco OTC SPA


Nutraceutical International Corporation


Pagnan


Panealba


Parmalat


Pasta Sgambaro


Pastificio Rana


Piatti Freschi Italia


Planet farm


Plastica Alfa


Ralpharma


Rigamonti


Roncadin


Rovagnati


Ruggeri & C.


Rustichella d’Abruzzo


Salumificio Fratelli Beretta


Smile Foods


The Longevity Suite


Treasury Wine Estates


Unionplus


Vitantica


VR Aceti s.r.l.


Wanela Manor di Emanuela Novello


Work highlights


  • Assisted Rustichella D’ Abruzzo with drafting and reviewing contracts with suppliers and business partners, as well as with distributors in foreign countries.
  • Advised Affinity Petcare on a number of pet food law issues related to the presentation and advertising of the products in connection with the development of new products and the launch of new marketing campaigns.
  • Advised Smile Foods on its start-up phase, and provided assistance with the revision of product presentation and labelling both at a national and EU level.

Bird & Bird

Bird & Bird advises biotech companies, packaging manufacturers, retailers and restaurants on IP matters, including copyright and trade mark issues pertaining to ingredients, processes and packaging. The practice, led by Massimiliano Mostardini and Giovanni Galimberti, often appears before courts and regulatory authorities and acts in enforcement proceedings.

Practice head(s):

Massimiliano Mostardini; Giovanni Galimberti


Key clients

Cargill


Carpenè Malvolti


MD and Mauri Formaggi


Monster Energy


Alfrus


Olivyou


CDP Venture Capital


Solgar Hino


Consorzio del Formaggio del Parmigiano Reggiano


Autogrill


Stoneweg


TooGoodToGo


Work highlights


  • Acted for the multinational company Cargill in an infringement proceeding brought by Roquette before the Court of Milan, the Court of Appeal of Milan and the Italian Supreme Court.
  • Represented Consorzio del Formaggio Parmigiano-Reggiano in a civil action brought forward by some Parmigiano producers for alleged breach of the antitrust rules resulting from some amendments of the Consorzio statutory provisions.
  • Assisted Autogrill Italia S.p.A. with the participation in a tender launched by GESAP S.p.A. for the award of a ten-year concession relating the management of food and beverage points in Falcone – Borsellino Airport, both in the land-side and air-side areas.

DLA Piper

DLA Piper is well reputed for its knowledge of food and drink issues including importing, supplying, and manufacturing challenges. The group assists global organisations and regularly assesses changing consumer focuses in the food sector, including issues relating to food miles, animal welfare, and environmental sustainability. The practice is led by Davide Rossetti, who is thoroughly experienced in litigation and regulatory work, and Elena Varese, who is extensively knowledgeable of competition and advertising matters.

Practice head(s):

Davide Rossetti; Elena Varese


Testimonials

‘The team is very knowledgeable and fast in their replies. Their advice is always clear and business oriented, even for complex multi-jurisdictional/practice matters.’

‘Elena Varese stands-out for the high quality of her advice in a wide variety of matters both in IP and advertising and contentious/non-contentious work. She anticipates our needs, has a great business acumen and always provides tailored solutions also for the most complex issues. It is a pleasure to work with her.’

‘The team is committed to the the success of clients.’

‘The team is well balanced and the partners keep the contact with the client.’

‘Very friendly, and they treat you very professionally.’

Key clients

Holding Dolciaria Industriale S.p.A.


Gruppo Vezza


PM Food


Pernod Ricard


Unilever


Mondelez (formerly Kraft).


Gea Group


Inalca Cremonini


Sabelli


Coca Cola Italy


IPER


Martini & Bracardi


Autogrill S.p.A.


Montengro


Bonomelli


Work highlights


  • Advised Pernod on the implementation of Directive (EU) 2019/633 on unfair trading practices in B2B in Italy.
  • Assisted Comité Champagne in Italy with enforcing the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) “Champagne” against unlawful commercial use detected in the Italian market and/or attempts to register distinctive signs that exploit, weaken and/or dilute the reputation of the PDO.
  • Assisted AMCO with the disbursement of new financing granted to Pasta Zara totalling €25m.

ADVANT Nctm

ADVANT Nctm has notable expertise across EU mandates, WTO law and IP food matters. Paolo Gallarati and Pietro Zanoni are often engaged in assisting food companies with M&A transactions. Bernard O'Connor has departed the practice.

Practice head(s):

Paolo Gallarati


Other key lawyers:

Pietro Zanoni


Key clients

Lindt & Sprüngli


Illycaffè S.p.A.


Acqua Minerale San Benedetto S.p.A.


ABInbev


San Pellegrino


Masi Agricola


Elior Ristorazione


Clabo Group S.p.A.


Pro Mach


Work highlights


  • Assisted DeA Capital Alternative Funds SGR S.p.A. with drafting the agreement for the sale of the entire stake of Gelato d’Italia to the investment funds Davidson Kempner Capital Management LP and Afendis Capital Management.
  • Asssited the Richetti family with the sale of Richetti S.p.A., an Italian company specialised in the production of chilled and frozen snacks for the food service and retail channels, to Green Arrow Capital Sgr S.p.A.
  • Assisted Clabo Group S.p.A., with a share capital increase and the issuance of warrants named “Clabo 2021-2024” in support of the industrial plan, and to strengthen the group’s balance sheet.

B - Health, Safety & Environment

B - Health, Safety & Environment assists clients with various food law mandates including transport, food chain traceability, hygiene and storage issues. With a wealth of knowledge of environmental and health and safety law, the practice is also able to assist food companies with the acquisition of production facilities and represents clients in disputes. Francesco Bruno is extremely proficient in food labelling work, including issues relating to the labelling of pet foods, as well as food supply chain contracts, food traceability matters and internal compliance with EU regulations.

Practice head(s):

Francesco Bruno


Testimonials

‘High capability.’

‘High quality and appropriate resourcing.’

‘Helpful and efficient.’

Key clients

Hill’s Pet Nutrition Inc.


Tattooed Chef – Ittella Italy S.r.l.


Tonelli Group S.p.A.


Vigne Irpine S.r.l.


Assobirra – Associazione dei Birrai e dei Maltatori


Work highlights


  • Advised Hill’s Pet Nutrition Inc. on the application of Italian and European food and food labelling law and drafting of supply chain contracts, both upstream and downstream.
  • Assisted Tattooed Chef – Ittella Italy with its regulatory, environmental, urban planning and administrative issues, such as obtaining the Single Environmental Authorization, on the discharge of wastewater and of emissions into the atmosphere.
  • Assisted Assobirra (the association of Italian Brewers and Malters) with the management of all food and environmental law issues and providing legal advice on the environmental labelling obligations of food and beverages produced in Italy but intended for exportation to the French market.

Chiomenti

Chiomenti assists leading food brands with major acquisitions, managing significant deals and corporate and business transactions. The practice also supports the globalisation of large holding companies, as well as IP, corporate and administrative matters pertaining to food law. Massimiliano Nitti is a key name to note.

Practice head(s):

Massimiliano Nitti


Key clients

Sperlari S.r.l.


Morato Pane


Pasta Zara


Centrale del Latte Italiana


Investindustrial


Poke House


Aliante Partners


Azienda Agricola Villa Sparina


Casoni Fabbricazioni Liquori


Ferrarini S.p.A.


MiScusi S.r.l.


Pini Group


RfXcel Corporation


Alfonsino


AmbrosiaTechnologies S.r.l.


Dufry Group


Csm Ingredients


Work highlights


  • Advising Dufry on the business combination agreement between Autogrill (a company in which Edizione is a majority shareholder) and Dufry, a Swiss company specialising in duty-free trade, signed by Edizione and Dufry.
  • Advised Investindustrial Group Holdings S.à r.l. indirectly as a potential buyer of a majority stake in La Doria S.p.A., and on the subsequent launch of a mandatory public tender offer.
  • Advised Pini Group on a potential acquisition of the company Ferrarini S.p.A. which is currently subject to a pre-insolvency workout agreement with creditors proceeding.

Legance - Avvocati Associati

The food law department at Legance - Avvocati Associati is highly experienced in authorisation procedures, handling issues before the food and health authorities. The team has also been engaged in transactional matters concerning the production, distribution and sale of food and wine. Alessandra Palatini assists food producers with domestic and European legislation compliance. Since publication, Paolo Marzano left the firm.

Other key lawyers:

Alessandra Palatini


Key clients

Antonello Colonna S.r.l.


Consorzio Vini DOC Salaparuta


Foodspring Gmbh


Mars


Mezzacorona S.c.a.


Niko Romito Group


Trevisan & Cuonzo

Trevisan & Cuonzo supports leading domestic wheat, strawberry and olive oil producers on matters concerning labelling, marketing and unfair competition elements, and food-related litigation. Vincenzo Acquafredda possesses extensive knowledge of contract, food and IP law, serving as practice co-head alongside Daniela Ampollini. The practice also launched 4Agrinnovation in 2019, a project dedicated to advising clients on the protection of plant breeders’ rights and new plant varieties.

Practice head(s):

Daniela Ampollini; Vincenzo Acquafredda


Testimonials

‘The team is very competent, they have an international approach and are very focused on the issues of the client.’

‘Daniela Ampollini has strong international experience in global litigation and the related agreements.’

Key clients

Parmalat


Sicasov


Agride’ Srl


Andriani SpA


Grape & Grape Group Srl


Nova Siri Genetics S.r.l. (NSG)


Italian Variety Club (IVC)


California Table Grape Commission (CTGC)


Work highlights


  • Represented Parmalat S.p.A. before the Supreme Court in a claim relating to the protection of the “Santal” trade mark.
  • Assisted Andriani S.p.A. with negotiating and drafting commercial contracts, especially partnership agreements involving patented machinery used in gluten-free pasta production lines.
  • Assisted the California Table Grape Commission (CTGC) with the enforcement in Italy of the patent rights of a new seedless table grape variety established by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) of which CTGC is the exclusive licensee.

Withers Studio Legale

The department at Withers Studio Legale closely collaborates with the firm's London-based technology department to assist clients with distribution agreements and licensing work. The group is particularly active in the wine sector, and its expertise is sought out by wine producers, with the team specialising in label and bottle design mandates. Roberta Crivellaro leads the practice and is thoroughly experienced in corporate and commercial cross-border transactions involving domestic food and beverage clients as well as luxury brands.

Practice head(s):

Roberta Crivellaro


Key clients

Cantina Toblino


Vignamaggio


Taste Srl (Vinhood)


Zonin 1821


Via Pasteria


Work highlights


  • Assisted Cantina Toblino, a well-known producer of wine, with the management of its IP portfolio, which involves various registrations at an international level.
  • Advised Vignamaggio, a major company in the hospitality industry, with respect to the possible infringement of the trade mark “vignamaggio” by a company that used it in its corporate name.
  • Assisted Via Pasteria, a US start-up, with the launch of its Italian restaurant chain in Italy.