Bird & Bird has an international retail and consumer sector group that focuses on the assistance of clients in the food and beverage, luxury, fashion and retail, and hotels and leisure sectors. Sector knowledge is paired with in-depth expertise, especially in consumer law, e-commerce, technology, including software licensing, and contracts, all of which are among the team's main areas of activity. Massimiliano Mostardini and Giovanni Galimberti, who co-heads the practice with Stefano Silvestri, are highly appreciated for their IP expertise.
Industry focus: Retail in Italy
Bird & Bird
Practice head(s):
Stefano Silvestri; Giovanni Galimberti
Other key lawyers:
Massimiliano Mostardini; Fulvio Mellucci
Testimonials
‘High level of assistance in the field of intellectual property. Pragmatism in managing the relationship with the customer.’
‘An IP powerhouse.’
‘Unrivalled professionalism from Giovanni Galimberti and Fulvio Mellucci. They work as a seamless team with quiet but determined dedication and commitment.’
Key clients
Bricoman Cargill
Consorzio a tutela del vino Morellino di Scansano
Consorzio del Formaggio Parmigiano-Reggiano
Consorzio del Prosciutto di San Daniele
Consorzio di Tutela della Denominazione di Origine Controllata Prosecco
Consorzio per la tutela del formaggio Asiago
Consorzio Tutela Aceto Balsamico di Modena
Ferrero
Gruppo BMW
Kampaay
La Rinascente
Leroy Merlin Italia
Loro Piana
Luxottica
Marcolin S.p.A.
Monster Energy
Snaidero
Stoneweg (Glovo)
Tommy Hilfiger Licensing
Tomorrow London
Work highlights
- Advised Dieter Rams in connection with copyrights’ transfer on industrial design works.
- Assisting La Rinascente in the launch of its first online store.
- Assisting BMW Italy with advertising law.
Chiomenti
Chiomenti‘s retail foods and consumer goods team stands out for its knowledge of the regulatory framework underpinning the acquisitions, product integration, product launches and distribution markets, among other areas. Massimiliano Nitti is responsible for the practice group, and also heads the M&A group. Other key M&A practitioners include Franco Agopyan
, who demonstrates ‘a willingness to intervene quickly and with competence both in negotiations and in the preparation of contracts’ and Luigi Vaccaro. Emanuele Barberis specialises in employment matters and of counsel Paolo Bertoni is an IP expert.
Practice head(s):
Massimiliano Nitti
Other key lawyers:
Franco Agopyan; Luigi Vaccaro; Emanuele Barberis; Paolo Bertoni
Testimonials
‘Chiomenti knows how to manage M&A operations, using the specific skills needed in the team.’
‘Willingness of the team led by Franco Agopyan to intervene quickly and with competence both in negotiations and in the preparation of contracts.’
Key clients
Adeo S.A.
BC Partners LLP S.p.A.
Bibis Group
Casa Vinicola Zonini S.p.A.
Casoni Fabbricazione Liquori S.p.A.
Centrale Adriatica s.c., Coop Alleanza 3.0, Coop Centro Italia s.c., Coop Italia s.c.a.r.l., Unicoop Firenze s.c. and Unicoop Tirreno Società Coperativa s.c.
Charterhouse Capital Partners LLP
E.On group
Equilibra S.r.l.
Florette Holding S.A.S.
Fueguia S.r.l.
Gianni Versace S.p.A.
IF- Mariano Stelliferi S.r.l.
Immobiliare Grande Distribuzione Siiq
Investindustrial
Italdesign
Kharis Capital Advisory Belgium Sprl
Lone Star Funds
Longino & Cardenal
Lottomatica Holdings SRL
Milano Investment Partners SGR
MiScusi S.r.l.
Morato Pane S.p.A. and Progetto Piadina S.p.A.
Necta Vending
Njord Partners LLP
NUO Capital S.A.
Paladin Capital Partners S.p.A.
Pasta Zara
Preca Brummel S.p.A.
QuattroR
Sergio Rossi
Sitoy AT Holdings Company Limited
SK Dionysus Holdings S.à.r.l.
Terme di San Vittore S.p.A.
Velasca S.r.l.
Wuerth Group
Work highlights
- Advising Investindustrial Acquisition Corp on the business combination with the Ermenegildo Zegna Group, aimed at listing the latter on the New York Stock Exchange.
- Advising Adeo S.A. on the sale-and-leaseback of certain real estate assets of Leroy Merlin and Bricoman located in Italy, France, Spain and Portugal.
- Advising The World Wide Investment Company Limited in its partnership with Exor to invest in medium-sized companies representing Italian excellence in retail, consumer goods sector, supporting their development on international markets.
DLA Piper
DLA Piper‘s consumer goods and retail sector group provides high-end fashion brands, producers of medical devices, logistics players and top-tier retail companies with ‘high-quality advice, flexibility and business-oriented solutions’ in connection to M&A transactions, corporate, technology, advertising and distribution law. Litigator Davide Rossetti, who is particularly appreciated for his expertise in the fashion and large-scale distribution market, is one of the key contacts, together with his co-head Elena Varese, who has an ‘unmatched knowledge and experience’ in IP and advertising matters.
Practice head(s):
Davide Rossetti; Elena Varese
Testimonials
‘The team has an excellent knowledge of the market and stands out from the crowd for its high-quality advice, flexibility and business-oriented solutions. The firm makes available a wide arrays of technological tools to clients (e.g. NFTs services, automated tools for migration of data and compiling of documents).’
‘DLA Piper behaves as a trusted advisor by providing ad-hoc fee structures, secondment programs and trainings, updates and seminars dedicated to the sector.’
‘Elena Varese has an unmatched knowledge and experience in IP and advertising matters. She always provides added value to her work and is able to anticipate the company’s needs. She is always available and capable of conveying trust and enthusiasm also in the most challenging situations. Tailored advice and capacity to think outside the box make Elena one of the youngest market leaders in the field.’
Key clients
Valentino
Prada
Hugo Boss
Golden Goose
Dolce Gabbana
Loro Piana
Ermenegildo Zegna
Poltrona Frau
La Rinascente
Manolo Blahnik
Henry Cotton’s
Marina Yachting
MCS
Zanotti
Bally
Calzedonia
Missoni
Juventus
LIDL
IPER
Pernod Ricard
Prologis
Bacardi
Nike
Givi Italia
Technogym
Montenegro
Corneliani
Converse Inc.
Work highlights
- Advising Conbipel, the Italian clothing and accessories retailer – as debtor – in a restructuring process in relation to which the debtor has been admitted to extraordinary administration pursuant to Legislative Decree no. 270/1999.
- Acted for IPER in the proceedings before the Court of Milan instigated by IPER’s former service provider (Polymer) for damages’ compensation in excess of EUR 3,600,000.
Dentons
Dentons‘ team provides integrated advice through the collaboration of real estate, corporate, IP and TMT professionals. Practice head Giangiacomo Olivi acts as Europe co-head of the data privacy and cybersecurity group as well as of the IP and technology practice.
Practice head(s):
Giangiacomo Olivi
Testimonials
‘Preparation and constant updating on the regulatory changes in the sector.’
‘Availability and empathy with company managers and with the needs of the retail sector.’
Key clients
Supermarkets Italiani S.p.A.
Kering
The Mall
Luxottica
QVC
Bolton Group
Vodafone
Whirlpool
Ralph Lauren
Work highlights
- Assisting Kering with several strategic and innovative TMT and retail projects.
- Assisting The Mall on an innovative digital transformation project.
- Assisting Luxottica with the development of the e-commerce channels.
Legance - Avvocati Associati
At Legance – Avvocati Associati, real estate and corporate finance head Giuseppe Abbruzzese coordinates the firm’s retail group, together with real estate and administrative law expert Gabriele Capecchi. The team advises on corporate finance, administrative law, banking and finance, tax and regulations as they relate to the retail sector. Alberto Giampieri is a key name for public and private M&A transactions.
Practice head(s):
Gabriele Capecchi; Giuseppe Abbruzzese
Other key lawyers:
Alberto Giampieri
Testimonials
‘A strong point is undoubtedly the ability to respond immediately to customer requests on all legal and commercial aspects. Formal client / consultant relationships are always supported by a cordiality that makes interactions faster.’
‘The essential difference is that response times are very short. At any time 24/7 even at Christmas you have an immediate answer. For those who work in contexts with different time zones or different calendars this is an added value of great importance.’
‘The Legance team stands out for exceptional competence, speed and problem-solving attitude. Qualities that are also found in younger employees. In the Italian market they certainly make a difference.’
‘Legance stands out for its quality, superior to its competitors, and for its in-depth knowledge of the subject. Alberto Giampieri is a champion and his collaborators stand out for their extreme preparation, availability and the ability to reach the goal.’
Key clients
Batipart
Borletti Group
Kryalos SGR
Starbucks
Unipol Gruppo S.p.A.
OVS S.p.A.
Work highlights
- Assisting Batipart in the acquisition and subsequent long-term lease of a pan-European real estate portfolio including 7 Leroy Merlin and Brico stores.
- Assisting Fondo Polvanera, managed by Kryalos SGR, with the purchase of 5 Docks Cash & Carry.
- Assisting a pool of banks in the financing granted to Irgen Re Pompei S.r.l. aimed at the development of a mixed-use real estate maxi-asset named “Maximall Pompeii”.
Gianni & Origoni
Gianni & Origoni fields a cross-departmental group, drawing upon the expertise of professionals in the M&A, disputes, finance, labour, IP, restructuring and compliance departments.
Key clients
Central Retail Corporation
Esselunga S.p.A.
Coin Group
Gruppo Leonardo Caltagirone
Westfield Milan S.p.A.
DIP Capital LLP
G.A.M. S.p.A.
Fenicia Group (Camicissima)
Work highlights
- Assisting G.A.M. S.p.A. and other companies of its group in structuring and drafting a composition with creditors (“concordato preventivo”) proposal on a going concern basis, pursuant to Articles 160 and 186-bis of the Italian Insolvency Law.
- Assisting Tyre Retail S.r.l., a subsidiary entirely owned by Fintyre S.p.A., the Italian tyre distributor subject to a composition with creditors procedure (in order to avoid bankruptcy), in relation to, inter alia, a proposed sale of 21 service centres to All Tyre Service.
- Assisting Fenicia Group, the parent company of Camicissima, in the acquisition of Nara Camicie.
Trevisan & Cuonzo
Trevisan & Cuonzo‘s retail team has strong capabilities in the IP sector, thanks to the expertise of practice heads Gabriel Cuonzo and Luca Trevisan. The team's workload includes advising on mergers, store openings and disputes over trademarks, designs and unfair competition. Julia Holden leads the international marketing group.
Practice head(s):
Gabriel Cuonzo; Luca Trevisan
Other key lawyers:
Julia Holden
Testimonials
‘Deep knowledge of the trademarks and patents sector’
‘Very good at finding solutions and looking for all possible angles of a case to ensure nothing is left out. They are also courageous in voicing their opinion and taking a stand.’
Work highlights
- Assisting 3M with a broad and successful enforcement programme to actively protect 3M’s trademark rights in Italy.
- Assisting Tessilform SpA (Patrizia Pepe) in several issues, including trademark protection, advertisement, copyright, licensing, distribution and agency, as well as pre-litigation and litigation work.
- Assisting DDM in many retail issues at an international level, including the draft and negotiation of distribution agreements and agreements with its suppliers, subcontractors and shop-in-shop arrangements.