Firm Profile > Studio Professionale Associato a Baker & McKenzie > Milan, Italy

Industry focus: TMT Tier 1

Studio Professionale Associato a Baker & McKenzie fields a team with 'exceptional know how', which is equally competent handling both traditional and cutting-edge aspects of the sector. Francesca Gaudino specialises in privacy and data security; Raffaele Giarda has 'outstanding knowledge' of the telecoms sector; and Lorenzo De Martinis' expertise in technology and media has been instrumental in the firm's recent work for Sky Italia (including litigation). Other areas of expertise include cutting-edge work for automotive and gaming companies, and regulatory advice to one of the largest online video content providers.

Compliance Tier 2

Studio Professionale Associato a Baker & McKenzie's compliance practice fields specialists in corporate criminal law (particularly white-collar crime), bribery and corruption, tax crimes, bankruptcy, environmental compliance, and health and safety issues. Aurelio Giovannelli is a member of the firm's EMEA compliance steering committee, and Gianfranco Di Garbo assists major companies with corporate governance and compliance matters. Roberto Cursano focuses on pharmaceutical and healthcare-related compliance matters.

Employment Tier 2

Industry focus: Healthcare and life sciences Tier 2

The team at Studio Professionale Associato a Baker & McKenzie focuses primarily on M&A in the healthcare and life sciences sector, advising a number of high-profile Italian and multinational clients. Aurelio Giovannelli, Pierfrancesco Federici and Roberto Cursano are the practice heads. Cursano and associate Mario Cigno handle pharmaceutical matters from an administrative law perspective, focusing on product recalls, public tender procedures, distribution, promotion activities and the conduct of clinical investigations. The team's expertise was invaluable in assisting Takeda Pharmaceutical with all regulatory, commercial, public procurement and corporate actions relating to its acquisition of Shire, in a global deal worth $62bn.

Tax Tier 2

Tax is a particular strength of Studio Professionale Associato a Baker & McKenzie. The team advises major foreign and Italian multinationals on day-to-day tax matters, corporate reorganisations, and domestic and cross-border transactions. The practice also regularly assists clients in the software and digital industry with permanent establishment and transfer pricing issues, as well as international tax rulings. Massimo Giaconia, Carlo Gnetti, Michele Santocchini  and counsel Alberto Pregaglia are corporate and international tax specialists. Mario d’Avossa  is a transfer pricing expert.

Data privacy and data protection Tier 3

Studio Professionale Associato a Baker & McKenzie advises multinational companies on all aspects of data privacy, data security and information management at a global level. Francesca Gaudino is responsible for the data privacy, data security and information management practice in Italy. She is particularly focused on the legal issues surrounding the use of cutting-edge technology.

EU and competition law Tier 3

With full coverage of antitrust matters, Studio Professionale Associato a Baker & McKenzie assists companies in proceedings involving Italian and international competition authorities, as well as in merger control and compliance matters and antitrust audits. Andrea Cicala is responsible for the practice, which also includes counsel Riccardo Pennisi.

Administrative and public law Tier 4

The environmental, regulatory and planning team at Studio Professionale Associato a Baker & McKenzie combines general administrative and public law capabilities with expertise in import/export matters and the healthcare and defence sectors. Practice head Pierfrancesco Federici assisted medtech company Waters with two public tenders for medical devices in a deal worth about €7m. Roberto Cursano advised Lockheed Martin on obtaining administrative licences to import military items to Italy. Mario Cigno is also noted.

Banking and finance: Borrower side Tier 4

Studio Professionale Associato a Baker & McKenzie assists borrowers with bilateral and syndicated bank financing, bonds, and acquisition and project finance. The team's work covers structuring, implementation, contractual remedies and enforcement actions. It also handles debt restructuring. Alberto Fornari's practice includes NPLs, factoring, lending, payment systems and fintech.

Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 4

Studio Professionale Associato a Baker & McKenzie has, in recent years, advised on several acquisitions involving over ten jurisdictions, but where the main target was frequently incorporated in Italy. Clients benefit from related tax planning advice, as well as the application of artificial intelligence tools for due diligence and contracts. The team also has a substantial corporate reorganisation practice. Pietro Bernasconi advises on corporate, M&A and private equity deals, and Raffaele Giarda is a TMT specialist.

Intellectual property Tier 4

Studio Professionale Associato a Baker & McKenzie has a wealth of experience in IP-related matters, covering trademarks, designs, patents, media and copyright assistance, both contentious and non-contentious, accompanied by a specialism in technology-driven IP transactional work and restructuring, as well as know-how protection. Lorenzo De Martinis is managing partner of the firm’s Italian offices and heads up the practice together with of counsel Carlo Demichelis. Typical clients come from the fashion, design and luxury sectors.

Real estate and construction Tier 4

Studio Professionale Associato a Baker & McKenzie is well equipped to address the needs of a wide variety of real estate clients, including hotels, international investment funds, retailers and pharma companies. Pierfrancesco Federici, who leads the team. has extensive transactional and regulatory expertise; partner Alessandro Matteini focuses on M&A and restructuring; while Rita Marchetti, who was welcomed into partnership in July 2019, specialises in divestments in the hotel, resort and retail sectors.

Banking and finance: lender or arranger side Tier 5

Studio Professionale Associato a Baker & McKenzie's practice covers bilateral and syndicated bank financing, acquisition and project finance, debt restructuring, and enforcement actions. Alberto Fornari's practice focuses on corporate and structured finance, and Ludovico Rusconi is a banking and finance specialist. Counsel Carlo Lichino is noted for structured finance.

Dispute resolution Tier 5

At Studio Professionale Associato a Baker & McKenzie, IT and IP litigator Lorenzo De Martinis has recenntly taken over leadership of the dispute resolution department, succeeding Gianfranco Di Garbo. His team includes Francesco Maruffi (financial and insurance disputes), Mario D’Avossa (tax disputes) and Luca Pescatore (contractual, banking, and bankruptcy disputes, among others).