BonelliErede > Brussels, Belgium > Firm Profile
BonelliErede Offices
SQUARE DE MEEÛS 40
1000 BRUSSELS
Belgium
BonelliErede > The Legal 500 Rankings
Belgium > Competition: EU and global Tier 5
BonelliErede is best known for the close connections between its offices in Belgium, Rome and Milan; the Brussels branch consequently receives much of its key work from clients with business interests in Italy. State aid mandates are a particular area of focus for the team, with merger control proceedings also forming a core part of the practice. Massimo Merola leads the group with ‘great strategic vision'.Practice head(s):
Massimo Merola
Other key lawyers:
Alessandro Cogoni
Testimonials
‘BonelliErede has been present in Brussels for very many years and has gained outstanding experience in dealing with EU institutions, the more so when Italian law issues are involved.’
‘Massimo Merola is a true authority on state aid and his findings and opinions are respected by clients and the Commission alike. His network of contacts in the European Commission and Parliament is unparalelled and tremendously important.’
‘I had the chance to work mostly with Alessandro Cogoni, who is an outstanding practitioner. He showed a great attitude towards technology, grasping without difficulties the peculiarities of our business, and rapidly detecting issues and possible solutions.’
‘BonelliErede’s team has in-depth knowledge of their clients’ industries, anticipating the issues that really matter in a case. They are creative in the way they present a case and understand their clients’ concerns.’
‘Massimo Merola is an extraordinary lawyer with a great strategic vision.’
Key clients
Autostrade per l’Italia S.p.A.
PagoPA S.p.A.
Alperia S.p.A.
Neos S.p.A.
Pharma Mar SA
ILVA S.p.A. in A.S.
Piaggio &C S.p.A.
Crédit Agricole Italia S.p.A.
Fastweb S.p.A.
Simest S.p.A.
Work highlights
- Advising Autostrade per l’Italia on a preliminary ruling before the Court of Justice relating to the interpretation of Directive 2014/23/EU.
- Assisting PagoPA with the assessment of its compliance with EU state aid rules relating to all the contributions received by the client for the development of its services aimed at the digitalisation of the public administration.
- Representing Alperia before the General Court in support of the European Commission and in opposition to the action brought by Tirreno Power and set for the annulment of the decision approving the Italian capacity mechanism.
BonelliErede > Firm Profile
Founded in 1999 from the merger of three Italian law firms, BonelliErede is one of the largest independent law firms in Italy, with offices in Milan, Rome, Genoa, Brussels, London, Cairo (in cooperation with Bahaa-Eldin Law Office), Addis Ababa (in cooperation with Lidet Abebe Tizazu Law Office) and Dubai. The firm is a true international player that offers a full range of commercial legal and tax services, combining business acumen with academic excellence.
To better respond to clients’ needs, BonelliErede offers support through a number of specialised focus teams, which bring together the legal expertise of its professionals from various practice areas. The focus teams are organised by sector and practice area and pool their individual legal expertise and in-depth sector knowledge to offer clients assistance with all aspects of their businesses.
BonelliErede has also launched its first alternative legal services provider: beLab S.p.A.. This company exploits legal digital technologies to provide services and solutions in collaboration with select partners based on a co-evolution approach.
BonelliErede comprises 89 partners, 30 of counsels, more than 400 associates – bringing the total, including staff, to over 800 people. Among its lawyers, it boasts 20 university professors.
BonelliErede currently has three strategic outposts in Africa and the Middle East: Cairo, Addis Ababa, and Dubai. The Cairo and Addis Ababa offices were established in 2016 and are the hub for the firm’s development plans in Africa — the Dubai office opened in 2017. In addition, thanks to a cooperation agreement with Zahaf & Partners, the firm is also present in Tripoli. BonelliErede also works with the Best Friends network, which is made up of leading firms from around the world, including: Bredin Prat in France, De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek in the Netherlands, Hengeler Mueller in Germany, Slaughter and May in the UK and Uría Menéndez in Spain.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massimiliano Danusso, Chairman | massimiliano.danusso@belex.com | +39 06 845511 | |
| Eliana Catalano, Managing Partner | eliana.catalano@belex.com | +39 02771131 |
Lawyer Profiles
| Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Massimo Merola | Partner, Massimo Merola specialises in EU law, with specific focus on state… | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of professionals : over 500Languages
Amharic Arabic Chinese English French German Italian SpanishMemberships
Best Friends networkOther
Offices : Addis Ababa, Brussels, Cairo, Dubai, Genoa, London, Milan, RomeDiversity
Since the firm’s founding, BonelliErede has always had the interest of its people at heart, regardless of one’s gender, ethnicity, religion, etc. In 2021, the partners approved the introduction of pink quotas within the Board which ensures the presence of at least one woman on the Board. Today, the Board is made up of 7 professionals of which 3 are women, and the number includes the firm’s Managing Partner Eliana Catalano.
BonelliErede has a dedicated D&I Committee, firstly launched in July 2021. The committee is made up of partners, associates and business support staff – we believe that only by putting people from across the firm together we can really address the importance of inclusion. Diversity & Inclusion is promoted and analysed at all stages, starting from the hiring process and all throughout peoples’ time within the firm.
In 2023, BonelliErede adopted its D&I policy.
International Capabilities
Thanks to its offices in Europe, Africa and the Middle East and to the partnerships with independent law firms around the world, BonelliErede is a true international player.
BonelliErede currently has three strategic outposts: Cairo (Egypt), in cooperation with Bahaa-Eldin Law Office; Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), in cooperation with Lidet Abebe Tizazu Law Office; and Dubai (UAE). In addition, thanks to a cooperation agreement with Zahaf & Partners, the firm is also present in Tripoli.
Cairo and Addis Ababa were the first outposts established, back in 2016, and are the hub for the firm’s development in Africa. The Dubai office was opened in 2017 to serve the entire Gulf area and support international investment in Africa. Beyond Egypt, Ethiopia and the UAE, the firm continues to strengthen its network of highly reputed African and Middle Eastern law firms to respond to its clients’ needs across the regions.
The firm also works with the Best Friends network, which is made up of leading firms from around the world, including: Bredin Prat in France, De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek in the Netherlands, Hengeler Mueller in Germany, Slaughter and May in the UK and Uría Menéndez in Spain.
BonelliErede is a popular choice to coordinate complex cross-border matters, handling inbound and outbound work for Italian, European and global clients. While offering a full-service scope, it is renowned for its work in M&A, project finance, restructuring, competition and international arbitration. It is frequently engaged to assist with matters involving multiple jurisdictions, including emerging markets.
- Competition: EU and global