Legance - Avvocati Associati > Rome, Italy > Firm Profile

Legance - Avvocati Associati > The Legal 500 Rankings

Italy > Administrative and public law Tier 1

With offices in Rome and Milan, Legance - Avvocati Associati houses a dedicated team of experienced lawyers who are regularly involved in public-sector contracts, including PPP contracts, town planning and local development, as well as public financing, energy and environmental matters. Here the team is active in both non-contentious work, including advice in relation to concessions, authorisations, and public regulations, and contentious matters before the Italian administrative courts, such as remediation procedures, waste management, and disputes related to environmental damage. The co-head of the Milan office, Giuseppe Abbruzzese is noted for his expertise in administrative law issues in real estate transactions, while fellow co-head Cristina Martorana notably focuses on the regulated fields of energy and infrastructure, especially on the acquisition or financing of plants that produce energy from renewable and conventional sources. Highly experienced in the energy sector, Antonella Capria has recently been representing clients in connection with the implementation of EU regulations on environmental damage and the green economy. Filippo Pacciani is noted for handling major disputes before Italian Administrative Courts in the public contract sectors, while senior counsel Alessandra Palatini focuses on real estate transactions, specifically on the development of building complexes.

Italy > Banking and finance: Borrower side Tier 1

Legance - Avvocati Associati's banking and finance group advises some of the most significant Italian and foreign financial and industrial groups. Co-leading the group are energy and infrastructure project financing expert Monica Colombera, and structured finance specialist Andrea Giannelli. Also integral to the practice are project finance practitioners Filippo Ruffato, Giovanni Scirocco and Antonio Palazzolo, along with Tommaso Bernasconi, Luca Autuori, Antonio Matino and Antonio Siciliano. The group further features Emanuele Artuso and Valeria Viti, as well as Giuseppe D’Amore and Ilaria Rosa. Simone Ambrogi was promoted to partner in June 2023.

Italy > Banking and finance: lender or arranger side Tier 1

‘One of the very top law firms in Italy', Legance - Avvocati Associati advises domestic and international banks (and financial institutions) on a range of  significant financings. The practice is led by Monica Colombera, who brings expertise to energy and infrastructure project financings, and Andrea Giannelli, who consistently handles complex transactions. Tommaso Bernasconi's practice includes major acquisition and real estate financings. Other key practitioners include Guido Iannoni Sebastianini, Filippo Ruffato, Giovanni Scirocco and Antonio Palazzolo, along with Emanuele Artuso, managing associate Giuseppe D’Amore and senior associates Ilaria Rosa and Lucio Di Cicco. Simone Ambrogi was promoted to partner in June 2023.

Italy > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 1

Legance - Avvocati Associati is sought out for high-end, cross-border M&A deals, with sector specialisms for the practice including banking, insurance, real estate, Pharma, manufacturing, energy, infrastructure, and transport. Among the firm’s several experienced practitioners Filippo Troisi is a renowned deal expert; Bruno Bartocci routinely advises on major cross-border transactions; and Alberto Giampieri acts for corporate clients on significant mergers. The department further features Giovanni Nardulli, Gian Paolo Tagariello, Gabriele Capecchi, Andrea Sacco Ginevri, Andrea Botti and Federica Pomero, along with Giacomo Gitti, Stefano Bandini, Filippo Benintendi and Laura Li Donni.

Italy > Employment Tier 1

Legance - Avvocati Associati assists notable Italian and multinational entities on all aspects of employment law across industries and business sectors. The firm is regularly instructed to carry out multi-jurisdictional surveys and opinions. In addition, the firm is deeply familiar with employment issues arising in connection to M&A operations and reorganisation or downsizing processes. Managing partner Alberto Maggi  practice which includes Elena Ryolo, who assists in major industrial disputes and innovative start-ups, and Marco D’Agostini, experienced in M&A-related employment matters.

Italy > Industry focus: Energy Tier 1

Legance - Avvocati Associati’s specialised team of experts in the energy sector routinely advises on both lender and borrower-side financing projects, administrative matters and complex M&A transactions in the renewables sector. Chaired by Monica Colombera, whose broad practice spans the financing and structuring of projects, as well as M&A and joint ventures, the team includes energy and infrastructure projects expert Filippo Ruffato and Cristina Martorana, noted for her expertise in the acquisition and financing of plants, waste to energy projects, and trading. A number of clients from the renewable and traditional energy sectors regularly turn to project finance specialist Giovanni Scirocco and newly promoted partner Simone Ambrogi, while oil and gas expert Valeria Viti and Antonio Palazzolo, whose focus is on M&A transactions and joint ventures both in the infrastructure and energy sectors, are also recommended. Francesca Brilli left the firm and moved to an in-house position.

Italy > Investment funds Tier 1

The investment funds team at Legance - Avvocati Associati has an enviable market reputation for fund formation work. The group's assistance covers all asset management sector-related contractual, corporate and regulatory aspects; and the department is particularly active in relation to private equity and venture capital funds, as well as private debt and real estate funds. The practice is co-led by senior partner Enzo Schiavello and Barbara Sancisi, who are 'the most expert advisers in Italy in the fund formation/regulation space'. Also highly regarded, Riccardo Daguati is a collective asset management specialist.

Italy > Private equity Tier 1

Part of its corporate finance practice, Legance - Avvocati Associati's 'incredible' private equity team acts for private equity funds, sovereign wealth funds, corporations and financial conglomerates on major transactions. Filippo Troisi heads up the corporate finance department; Bruno Bartocci is a cross-border transaction expert; and Alberto Giampieri focuses on mergers, spin offs, acquisitions, divestitures, and joint ventures. Other key figures are Giovanni Nardulli, who is particularly active in international deals; Piero Venturini, a regular adviser to private equity firms on transactions; and Andrea Fedi, who maintains a robust M&A practice.

Italy > Real estate and construction Tier 1

The multidisciplinary practice at Legance - Avvocati Associati is equipped to handle a broad range of matters, drawing from across departments, including corporate, administrative, banking and tax, to assist clients. The real estate department is co-led by Gabriele Capecchi, who frequently advises on acquisitions, developments, sales and divestments, and Giuseppe Abbruzzese, who specialises in administrative matters and major real estate transactions. Marco Mastrorosa is of note within the team for his work across the real estate practice, including a familiarity with real estate fund constitution and management. Francesca Iannò is also noted for her involvement in significant real estate deals. In December 2023, Luca Dal Cerro left the firm.

Italy > Tax Tier 1

In June 2023, Legance - Avvocati Associati’s department more than doubled with the arrival of tax specialists Andrea Silvestri, Giulio Mazzotti and Matteo Fanni, along with 15 professionals, from BonelliErede. In addition to transactional taxation, the group focuses on tax compliance, transfer pricing and contentious tax. Other highly regarded advisers are Marco Graziani, a former Italian Tax Police officer, and Claudia Gregori, who, in the words of one client, is ‘the best’. Further names to note are Riccardo Petrelli, Paolo Ronca and Luigi Scordo, along with Francesco Di Bari and Gabriella Geatti. Luca Dal Cerro  recently departed the firm.

Italy > Banking and finance: Bank regulatory Tier 2

Legance - Avvocati Associati‘s financial intermediaries regulations practice acts for banking, financial and insurance clients on an array of regulatory matters, including related litigation and M&A deals. The ‘skilled and technical’ Marco Penna predominantly focuses on investment services, securities offerings and off-site offerings; Giuseppe Alessandro‘s practice encompasses both regulatory issues and compliance matters, along with capital requirements, internal governance, general business activities and product governance; and Giovanna Tassitano advises banks, insurance companies and financial institutions on regulatory issues. Banking, financial services and asset management regulation specialist Federico Vezzani joined the group in February 2024 from BonelliErede, while former partner Marco Romanelli departed the firm in July 2023.

Italy > Capital markets: Debt Tier 2

The team at Legance - Avvocati Associati acts for banks and financial institutions, corporations and public-sector entities on bond issues, and securitisations of performing and non-performing receivables in a range of asset classes. The team also advises on covered bonds, debt restructurings, derivatives and securities-related lending. The banking and finance and DCM departments are headed by Andrea Giannelli, who utilises structured finance expertise alongside Vittorio Pozzi. Antonio Siciliano's wide-ranging practice extends to bond issues and securitisations. Other key figures include Antonio Matino, Roberto Mazzarano, senior associates Giovanni Nervo, Alice Giuliano, counsel Matteo Pierotti and managing associate Silvia Cecchini.

Italy > Capital markets: Equity Tier 2

Legance - Avvocati Associati's Milan-based ECM team acts for issuers, underwriters and investors on IPOs, right issues, listings and offerings, including accelerated book buildings and private placements. The group, which also assists with public tender offers and employee stock offerings, is jointly headed by Alberta Figari, a well-known specialist in takeovers, IPOs and right issues; and Giorgio Vanzanelli, whose practice covers IPOs, share capital increases and secondary equity offerings. Senior counsels Marzio Ciani and Stefano Bandini are capital markets experts to note.

Italy > Dispute resolution Tier 2

Legance - Avvocati Associati’s team acts for clients in disputes ranging from national to multi-jurisdictional level. The group, led by Stefano Parlatore and Daniele Geronzi, is also adept in advising at the pre-litigation stage. The firm is also well-versed in arbitration and ADR. Daria Pastore is noted for her extensive knowledge in the telecoms sector and has acted in civil, commercial, banking and financial disputes. Cecilia Carrara is also an experienced counsel and arbitrator for institutional and ad hoc arbitration proceedings.

Italy > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 2

Leading national and international industrial and financial groups, including BNP Paribas and Unicredit, approach Legance - Avvocati Associati for advice on default situations, crisis and insolvency risk analysis, debt restructurings, negotiated crisis resolutions and bankruptcy litigation. Giandomenico Ciaramella is noted for his expertise in financing, transactions and restructurings. Luca Autuori is also well regarded as an advisor to multinationals on investments in distressed debt positions, and Filippo Chiodini, who joined the firm in December 2022, is recognised for his work on distressed M&A and private equity matters.

Italy > Compliance Tier 3

Legance - Avvocati Associati's compliance department advises on regulatory compliance, anti-money laundering, anti-corruption legislation and Decree 231 matters. The team also assists with banking and insurance compliance. Andrea Fedi has substantial experience in compliance, privacy and anti-bribery work. Marco Penna heads the firm’s financial intermediaries regulations department. Niccolò Bertolini Clerici focuses on white-collar crime-related work. The practice further includes litigator Valentina Masi, whose practice includes the administrative liability of entities.

Italy > Data privacy and data protection Tier 3

Legance - Avvocati Associati's Rome-based multidisciplinary data protection department consistently advises clients on GDPR and data protection laws, along with the management and implementation of data protection models. The team further assists with data protection-related litigation, internal audits’ compliance with privacy requirements and database transfers.  Andrea Fedi heads up the team, bringing extensive experience in compliance, privacy and anti-bribery matters. Counsel Lucio Scudiero specialises in data law and cybersecurity.

Italy > EU and competition law Tier 3

Legance - Avvocati Associati’s team assists in mergers before the EU Commission and the Italian Competition Authority, before which it also routinely handles investigations in relation to cartels and abuse of dominance. Unfair commercial practices are also at the forefront of the practice, which is sought out by clients from the financial, energy, retail, telecoms, transport and pharmaceutical sectors. Head of the team Vito Auricchio’s broad practice spans antitrust and regulatory matters, mergers, abuses and cartels; areas in which Guendalina Catti De Gasperi is also particularly active. The team has been strengthened by the arrival, in November 2023, of antitrust and competition law expert Pietro Merlino, now partner in the firm’s EU, antitrust and regulation department.

Italy > Industry focus: Food Tier 3

Legance - Avvocati Associati represents clients in contentious and non-contentious matters, from authorisation procedures to claims over defective or non-compliant food products. Antonella Capria, who joined from Gianni & Origoni in November 2022, is the co-head of the food law department and is well-versed in regulations, packaging, environmental, waste management and EU law affecting the food industry. The second co-head, Alessandra Palatini, is experienced in advising on bringing foreign food products to the Italian market, and on compliance issues relating to labelling and safety legislation.

Italy > Industry focus: Healthcare and life sciences Tier 3

Legance - Avvocati Associati assists foreign and domestic clients from across the sector, including hospitals, pharmaceutical and biotech companies. The firm maintains a strong expertise in the industry’s regulatory framework as well as matters involving corporate, IP, compliance, administrative and competition law. Giovanni Nardulli  is the firm’s head of practice and focuses his work on M&A matters, especially involving cross-border transactions. Pietro Merlino joined the firm in November 2023 from Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe.

Italy > Industry focus: TMT Tier 4

Legance - Avvocati Associati provides comprehensive advice to clients from the telecoms, media and entertainment sectors on regulatory authorisations and disputes before the civil and administrative courts. Its workload also includes mandates involving the protection of minors and consumer protection, as well as M&A transactions and outsourcing projects. In the technology and IT industry, the team handles agreements concerning software, IT devices and services, platforms and e-commerce. Recently promoted partner Valerio Mosca leads the department, which includes Carlo Corazzini, who recently joined the practice and notably advises on contractual, cybersecurity, IT and compliance matters.

Italy > Intellectual property Tier 4

A wide range of clients from the fashion and design, food and beverage, as well as entertainment and pharmaceutical sectors routinely engage Legance - Avvocati Associati‘s IP department in judicial and out-of-court matters related to copyright licensing, trademark and patent infringement, and unfair competition. Practice head Monica Riva is here a key contact, while Jacopo Gaffer is noted for his expertise in the registration and protection of brands and design.

Italy > Shipping