Event information
GC Summit Italy 2026 brings together senior in-house leaders for a focused, forward-looking gathering set against one of Europe’s most inspiring backdrops. Designed as a space for connection, reflection, and fresh thinking, the summit offers a curated environment where general counsel and legal executives can step away from day-to-day pressures and engage in meaningful conversations with peers from across industries and regions.
Across the event, participants can expect a balanced mix of strategic discussions, practical insights, and high-value networking, all shaped by the real challenges and opportunities facing modern in-house teams. With an emphasis on shared experience, collaboration, and perspective, GC Summit Italy 2026 creates the conditions for honest dialogue, new ideas, and lasting professional relationships—combining substance and style in a setting that encourages both learning and inspiration.
Agenda
1.00pm Registration and lunch
Opening Remarks
-
- Margherita Birri, Research Editor, Legal 500
2.00pm-2.50pm The general counsel in the new era of tax governance. An overview of the cooperative compliance regime, in association with Advant Nctm
This panel explores the evolving role of the General Counsel in an era of heightened tax transparency and accountability, with a particular focus on the Cooperative Compliance regime. The discussion will examine how this framework is reshaping the relationship between taxpayers and tax authorities, and the strategic responsibilities it places on in-house legal teams. Panellists will consider the practical implications of Cooperative Compliance, including governance structures, risk management, internal controls and cross-functional collaboration, as well as the General Counsel’s role in fostering a culture of compliance while supporting business objectives in an increasingly complex regulatory environment.
-
- Luca La Barbera, Partner, Advant Nctm
- Isabella Betti, general counsel, Valentino
- Aaron Meneghin, tax director, Valentino
2.50pm-3.40pm The importance of an integrated approach to AI, antitrust, and corporate governance, in association with LCA
This session will examine how the new European regulatory framework – beginning with the AI Act, in coordination with the DSA and the DMA – is reshaping corporate responsibilities and requiring the adoption of integrated AI governance frameworks. Such frameworks must involve legal, compliance, IT, and business functions in order to manage liability, risk, and oversight throughout the lifecycle of AI systems. Technological and contractual choices that are not adequately governed may create strategic dependencies and produce distortive effects on competition.
The discussion will further explore the relationship between internal governance structures and competitive dynamics, analysing how the use of data, algorithms, and technological infrastructures may strengthen market power, raise barriers to entry, or facilitate new forms of coordination among market participants.
-
- Giulio Vecchi, Equity Partner, LCA
- Adele Sodano, Partner, LCA
- Stefano Longhini, Attorney-at-Law, Director of Collective Rights Management, Copyright Protection and Litigation, Legal Affairs Department, Reti Televisive Italiane, Mediaset Group
- Tiziana Olivieri, Strategic Advisor, Founder & CEO, M&Agent
- Alessandro Altei, Legal and Compliance Director, Il Sole 24 ORE Group
3.40pm-3.55pm Coffee break
3.55pm-4.45pm Finance of the future: dematerialization, developments in EU green bond standards, and hybrid instruments, in association with Hogan Lovells
This session will explore the new dynamics and instruments shaping finance and capital markets.
What impact do these developments have on the day-to-day operations of General Counsel and in-house legal teams? How are skills and internal processes evolving in response to these new opportunities?
The discussion will highlight practical cases, share experiences, and examine future trends, offering concrete insights to help navigate an increasingly complex and fast-changing legal and financial landscape.
-
- Alessandro Accrocca, Partner, Hogan Lovells
- Patrizio Messina, Managing Partner Italia, Hogan Lovells
- Chiara Bovo, Managing Director, J.P. Morgan
- Francesco Ferraiolo, Head of Banks & Capital Markets, TIM
- Patricia Gentile, Group Head of Finance & Insurance, A2A
4.45pm-5.35pm Green claims: implementation of the new EU regulatory framework and emerging compliance and litigation risks for businesses, in association with Chiomenti
This session will examine the evolution of the regulatory framework, the implications of the implementation of Directive (EU) 2024/825 on green claims, and the new measures aimed at strengthening environmental communication requirements for businesses.
Within this context, the session will address key compliance aspects and the increasing risks for companies arising from enforcement initiatives by competent authorities, highlighting how recent guidelines and emerging practice are shaping new standards of transparency.
Particular attention will be devoted to the growing litigation risk for businesses. The discussion will review the most recent case law as well as forthcoming decisions that may significantly influence the interpretation and application of the new EU rules. In this context, the link between green claims and corporate liability will be explored from a litigation perspective, illustrating how misleading or unsubstantiated environmental claims may give rise to class actions and damages claims, as well as disputes relating to unfair competition and misleading commercial practices (greenwashing).
A panel discussion among experts will examine the legal, reputational, and strategic implications for businesses, and outline risk-mitigation strategies and compliance best practices in a landscape where transparency, verifiability, and regulatory compliance are becoming central elements of corporate communication.
-
- Sara Biglieri, Partner, Chiomenti
- Guido Bellitti, Of Counsel, Chiomenti
- Pietro Galizzi, Head of Legal, Regulatory and Compliance Affairs, Plenitude
5.35pm-6.05pm Rewriting the rules: AI and CLM in modern legal departments, in association with DiliTrust
This fireside chat will explore how Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) and Artificial Intelligence are transforming the way legal departments operate. As organisations face increasing pressure to drive efficiency, ensure compliance and manage risk, the integration of AI-powered CLM solutions is becoming a strategic priority.
Bringing together leading practitioners from Italy, the discussion will examine how technology is reshaping contract processes, from drafting and negotiation to execution and analysis. Panellists will share practical insights on implementation, challenges and the evolving role of legal teams in a more digital, data-driven environment.
-
- Fabrizio Gallotti, LegalTech Expert, DiliTrust
6.05pm-6.15pm Closing remarks
-
- Margherita Birri, Research Editor, Legal 500
6.15pm Drinks and canapes
Speakers
Luca La Barbera, Partner, Advant Nctm
Luca La Barbera provides tax advisory services to Italian and foreign multinational groups, with a particular focus on the cooperative compliance program.
In this context, he assists companies in designing, implementing and managing their tax control frameworks (TCF), as well as in interaction with the Italian Tax Office for the admission and management of the cooperative compliance program.
He has previous experiences in other complex multinational environments, where he held roles in corporate and international taxation.
Giulio Vecchi, Equity Partner, LCA
Giulio Vecchi is an Equity Partner at LCA and co-head of the firm’s IP, Media, Tech & Data department. He has extensive experience in technology, media and data protection law, gained both in private practice and as corporate counsel for a major global media company. He advises Italian and international companies on digital regulation, including AI and NIS2, and complex IT transactions and commercial contracts, including in the context of M&A deals. He regularly assists clients in proceedings before AGCOM and the Italian Data Protection Authority.
Adele Sodano, Partner, LCA
Adele Sodano is a Partner at LCA specialising in Italian and EU competition law, with extensive experience in cartels, abuse of dominance, mergers, distribution systems, and complex cooperation agreements. She regularly represents Italian and international clients before the Italian Competition Authority and the European Commission, and assists clients in antitrust litigation before national and EU Courts, including damages actions. She also designs and implements tailor-made antitrust compliance programmes for companies across a wide range of industries.
Fabrizio Gallotti, LegalTech Expert, DiliTrust
Fabrizio Gallotti is a LegalTech specialist with extensive experience in the digitalisation of legal and corporate processes. With a strong emphasis on technological innovation within the legal sector, he has played a key role in the digital transformation of numerous organisations, enhancing the management of contracts, compliance and corporate governance.
Since 2017, he has been Country Manager Italy at DiliTrust, a global leader in AI-driven SaaS solutions designed to support Legal and Corporate Affairs departments. In this capacity, he has overseen the expansion of DiliTrust’s solutions, supporting more than 2,500 clients and 300,000 users across over 60 countries. The DiliTrust Governance suite enables legal teams to manage the full contract lifecycle, centralise corporate entity management, ensure the security of board meetings, and maintain control over legal matters, thereby improving the efficiency of complex business processes.
Throughout his career, Fabrizio has worked with leading Italian companies, delivering advanced solutions for electronic document management, the automation of legal processes, and the integration of Artificial Intelligence tools for predictive analytics and risk management. He has also led complex projects involving the digitalisation of legal documentation, with a particular focus on data security and privacy.
Sara Biglieri, Partner, Chiomenti
Sara Biglieri assists international groups and leading companies operating in the pharmaceutical, large-scale retail, consumer goods, energy, real estate, financial, and insurance sectors in litigation, including class actions, and arbitrations. She provides in-court and out-of-court assistance in the areas of civil, commercial, corporate, real estate and banking law with particular focus on corporate contracting, tort, climate litigation, product liability, and unfair competition.
Sara has developed extensive experience in ad hoc and institutional arbitrations and has been appointed as an arbitrator by the Milan Chamber of Arbitration and the President of the Court of Milan in several proceedings. She also specializes in the resolution of compliance issues, in compliance with Legislative Decree 231/2001. Sara is Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of Equita Group S.p.A. and serves as chairman and member of Supervisory Boards in leading Italian companies.
She has authored numerous publications in her areas of expertise and is recognized as a leading lawyer by leading international legal guides. She has received numerous awards from national and international legal directories.
Stefano Longhini, Attorney-at-Law, Director of Collective Rights Management, Copyright Protection and Litigation, Legal Affairs Department, Reti Televisive Italiane, Mediaset Group
Stefano Longhini is a lawyer, Director of Collective Rights Management, Copyright Protection and Litigation at the Legal Affairs Department of Mediaset (RTI). He handles litigation related to television broadcasting, copyright, artificial intelligence and manages relations with collective management organizations. He has long been engaged in the fight against audiovisual piracy and in institutional relations at both the Italian and European levels. In addition, he engages in academic and publishing activities and regularly speaks at conferences on copyright, media and artificial intelligence related topics.
Tiziana Olivieri, Strategic Advisor, Founder & CEO, M&Agent
Tiziana Olivieri is an experienced technology executive, strategic advisor, and entrepreneur. She advises Private Equity funds on Tech M&A transactions — supporting due diligence, value creation, integration, and commercial scale-up of IT companies. She is the Founder & CEO of M&Agent, an agentic AI platform for Tech M&A, and serves as Independent Board Member at listed and privately held companies. Previously, she was Chief Commercial Officer for Europe & Middle East at Avanade, where she led a $2.4B IT services business across 16 countries, driving a strategic growth and sales transformation program. Before that, she spent nearly a decade at Microsoft, serving as Enterprise Industry Executive in Europe and holding senior roles in Italy across enterprise sales and partner ecosystem development. Throughout her career, Tiziana has built a reputation for driving large-scale commercial transformations, go-to-market strategies, and cross-cultural leadership in the enterprise technology market.
Alessandro Altei, Legal and Compliance Director, Il Sole 24 ORE Group
Alessandro Altei is Legal and Compliance Director, with extensive experience in managing key legal, contractual, corporate and regulatory matters within complex corporate environments. Over the course of his career, he has worked across several industrial sectors, including oil & gas, energy, industrial automation, high-tech and media, developing cross-sector expertise in corporate governance, relations with regulatory authorities, contract management, extraordinary transactions and regulatory compliance processes. He has handled matters involving significant legal and reputational complexity, supporting senior management and corporate bodies in strategic decision-making as well as in the management of legal risk. He currently serves as Legal and Compliance Director at a leading company in the publishing and media sector, where he oversees corporate governance, contractual matters, market relations and regulatory developments affecting the content industry, as well as broader risk management (ERM) and compliance activities. His professional approach combines strong legal expertise combined with pragmatism, strategic vision and close attention to the industrial and market dynamics that influence corporate decision-making.
Guido Bellitti, Of Counsel, Chiomenti
Guido focuses on European Union law, with a particular focus on European and national competition law. The scope of his work also includes State aids, the EU Internal Market, public procurement and concessions, consumer law, as well as sectoral EU regulations relating inter alia to media, electronic communications, energy and transport, as well as EU international sanction regimes and EU regulation on sustainability.
In these areas, Guido has advised several companies on European and national law issues, in particular in proceedings before the European Commission (on cartels, abuse of dominance, mergers) and the EU Courts (Court of First Instance and Court of Justice of the European Union), as well as before ordinary and administrative courts, and independent regulatory and supervisory authorities (in particular, the Italian Competition Authority and the Italian Communications Regulator). Guido has also a significant expertise in Foreign Subsidies Regulation, both on the merger and public procurement sides, having assisted several companies and international groups in the context of notifications to the European Commission.
Guido is member of the board of AAI, the Italian Antitrust Association, and in 2024 was ranked by The Legal 500 as a Leading Partner in the EU and competition law section.
Pietro Galizzi, Head of Legal, Regulatory and Compliance Affairs, Plenitude
Pietro Galizzi currently serves as Head of Legal, Regulatory and Compliance at Eni Plenitude S.p.A. Benefit Corporation, a company engaged in renewable energy generation, the sale of energy and energy solutions, as well as e-mobility.
Previously, Pietro served for over ten years as General Counsel of Saipem. He has also collaborated with the ICC – International Chamber of Commerce in the drafting of its guide on the management of international arbitration, and was a member of the commission responsible for preparing the 2016 edition of the UNIDROIT Principles of International Commercial Contracts.
Alessandro Accrocca, Partner, Hogan Lovells
Alessandro Accrocca is a highly regarded Italian qualified lawyer with more than 25 years of experience in banking and finance law, gained through his broad career, which enables him to provide key strategic clients in Italy and Europe with high profile assistance on (i) debt and other capital markets transactions; (ii) general lending and all kind of facilities; (iii) corporate affairs for listing companies; (iv) derivatives; and (v) market abuse and management of price sensitive information.
In particular, Alessandro currently advises both borrowers and lenders, in bond and other structured products issues, standalone financings or syndicated loans, including all ESG related issues, as well as in securitizations and structured finance transactions, both on original financings or in restructurings of various debt positions. He also plays an instrumental role in helping the firm maintain its market leading position advising issuers/arrangers/investors in innovative “Mini-bond” products, i.e. debt instruments issued by small and medium companies.
Patrizio Messina, Managing Partner Italia, Hogan Lovells
Patrizio Messina is a dual qualified lawyer (Italy and England) experienced in securitisations, structured finance transactions and M&A transactions of banks and financial institutions. Since 2001 Patrizio has been named among the best Italian securitisation and structured finance lawyers by the most renowned and accredited international and national directories. Patrizio has been a pioneer since the introduction of the Italian securitisation law in 1999. In 1999, he participated in the drafting and study committee of the securitisation law and was advisor in one of the first RMBS securitisations in Italy under the newly introduced law.
In his career, he has advised on securitisations of various types of assets, such as RMBS, SMEs, leasing, consumer loans, SME financing, and healthcare receivables. In the last 10 years he has focused on securitisations of non-performing loans such as NPLs and UTPs, with ordinary and synthetic securitisation structures and competitive portfolios sales, assisting most Italian systemic banks to divest their NPLs.
He was advisor to the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance for the drafting of the NPE Decree that introduced the GACS. Patrizio has also been involved in securitisations of NPEs in Greece and Southern Europe, having assisted major Greek systemic banks in securitisations of performing assets also using HAPS.
Patrizio is also professor of International Finance Law at IE Business School in Spain and at San Raffaele University in Italy.
In 2026, Patrizio has been awarded Lawyer of the Year at the Legalcommunity Finance Awards. In 2025, he was named Lawyer of the Year at the TopLegal Awards, Finance Lawyer of the Year by MF Italian Legal & Tax Excellence and Lawyer of the year NPLs at the Legalcommunity Finance Awards., as well as been ranked 4th among the Best 50 Lawyers by Legalcommunity.
Isabella Betti, General Counsel, Valentino
Isabella Betti has built up substantial experience across leading national and international law firms, followed by in-house roles within complex corporate environments. Over the course of her career, she has provided strategic legal support across a wide range of areas — from corporate governance to intellectual property, and from compliance to international contracts — working closely with senior management through a pragmatic, business-oriented approach.
She spent nearly fifteen years at Gucci, taking on roles of increasing responsibility in support of the creative, supply chain, marketing, communications and licensing functions, before being appointed General Counsel at Etro. She subsequently joined Prada Group as Legal Director for Marketing and Communications, a newly created role focused on supporting the Group’s brands in these areas. Since December 2025, she has served as General Counsel of Valentino Group.
Aaron Meneghin, Tax Director, Valentino
Aaron Meneghin has served as Tax Director of the Valentino Group since 2017.
He brings extensive experience in international corporate taxation, with particular expertise in multinational groups operating within the luxury sector. In his current role, he coordinates and oversees all tax matters at a global level, including compliance, transfer pricing, tax planning, audits, rulings, and key strategic projects. He also represents the Group in its dealings with Italian and international tax authorities.
Previously, he held the positions of Managing Director and Tax Director at Valentino Nederland B.V. and Valentino Luxembourg S.à r.l., combining operational leadership with international tax governance responsibilities.
He is a qualified Chartered Accountant and Statutory Auditor, and holds a degree in Economics from Ca’ Foscari University of Venice. He is a regular speaker at international tax conferences and advanced training programmes, and has participated in institutional working groups, including the European Commission’s VAT Expert Group.
Chiara Bovo, Managing Director, J.P. Morgan
Francesco Ferraiolo, Head of Banks & Capital Markets, Tim
Francesco Ferraiolo has extensive experience in the financial industry, holding key positions in companies such as TIM, Enel, Barclays Investment Bank, SACE, and Credit Agricole CIB. At TIM, Francesco currently serves as the Head of Banks & Capital Markets, overseeing capital market activities, financial risks management, relationship with international banks, liquidity optimisation, capital structure definition in M&A transactions, and interactions with credit rating agencies. Prior to TIM, Francesco held roles such as Senior Sales & Originator at Enel and Analyst at Barclays Investment Bank. Francesco holds a Master of Science in Finance from Università Bocconi and has participated in an exchange program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Patricia Gentile, Group Head of Finance & Insurance, A2A
Patricia Gentile is Group Head of Finance & Insurance, with an MBA and board memberships. She has over 20 years of experience in investment banking, asset management, and corporate finance. She currently manages a team of over 50 people. Patricia earned a degree in Financial Markets Economics from Bocconi University and subsequently an Executive MBA from SDA Bocconi, demonstrating her commitment to continuous learning and professional growth. Her career began as a private banking analyst at JP Morgan Chase, before moving to the Finance department at Cassa Depositi e Prestiti. She subsequently spent over 10 years at Barclays in London, focusing on DCM and financial risk management. In 2017, she returned to Italy as Chief Financial Officer at Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Modena. After a brief stint at Amundi Asset Management as a Senior Institutional Salesperson and ESG Ambassador, Patricia currently serves as Group Head of Finance and Insurance at A2A SpA. Specifically, she oversees the centralised finance of over 100 subsidiaries, including treasury management, M&A support, DCM, trade finance, financial risk control, and insurance.
In association with
Founded in 2000, ADVANT Nctm is an independent law firm with about 360 lawyers and tax advisors, and is one of the leading commercial law firms in Italy. It advises companies, banks and financial institutions, multi-national corporations and public entities on all areas of business law from its offices in Milan, Rome and Genoa, as well as London and Shanghai. ADVANT Nctm is the Italian member of ADVANT, a combined team of nearly 700 professionals, including nearly 160 equity partners, with a presence in 15 locations across Europe and beyond.
LCA Studio Legale is a leading independent, full-service Italian law firm with a strong international focus, advising domestic and foreign companies, financial institutions and investors. With offices in Italy and Brussels and a partnership in Dubai with IAA Middle East Legal Consultants LLP, LCA’s 280 professionals deliver integrated legal and tax advice and represent clients in complex cross-border transactions and high-stakes disputes.
Chiomenti is an independent law firm with offices in Rome, Milan, London, Brussels and New York, offering the consultancy of over 450 professionals with experience across multiple industries and geographical areas. The firm has structured its services and assistance into Practice Areas, with a particular focus on transactions and matters of an extraordinary nature and particular relevance to its clients.
Hogan Lovells is a leading international law firm, with over 35 offices worldwide and over 2,800 professionals, including 185+ lawyers across its Rome and Milan offices. Based in Italy since 2000, Hogan Lovells provides legal advice to corporates, financial institutions, funds, and governmental organisations across a broad of practice areas. Thanks to the integration between practice areas and the global network, Hogan Lovells delivers exceptional legal services, being consistently recognised by leading Italian and international legal directories.
SWOT Legal is a Milan-based ALSP focused on providing flexible legal staff to companies and law firms around Europe. Led by highly-experienced lawyers, we pride ourselves in our ability to swiftly and efficiently assess client needs and supply the ideal legal professional or team. With over 250 carefully selected legal experts across a range of specialisations and seniority around Europe, we would be glad to assist.
DiliTrust è l’unica piattaforma nel mercato LegalTech in grado di digitalizzare tutte le attività degli uffici Affari Legali e Societari. Sostituisce soluzioni frammentate con un unico ambiente di lavoro sicuro, di livello enterprise, per gestire contratti, partecipate, pratiche legali, CdA e comitati. Scelta da oltre 250.000 utenti e più di 2.400 clienti in oltre 60 Paesi, DiliTrust garantisce un rapido time-to-value, sicurezza certificata, hosting localizzato e supporto multilingue 24/7.