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

TMT Tier 1

Compliance Tier 2

Studio Professionale Associato a Baker & McKenzie's 'team has impressive know-how and global presence and gets the best results'. The compliance practice fields lawyers who are experienced in corporate criminal law, bribery and corruption, tax crime, bankruptcy, environmental law compliance, and health and safety issues. It assisted a number of companies, which belong to the Idex group, with developing their organisation, management and control models pursuant to Deccree 231. Aurelio Giovannelli and Gianfranco Di Garbo are the principal contacts. Enrico Maria Mancuso is now with Pedersoli Studio Legale.

Employment Tier 2

Jointly headed by Uberto Percivalle and Massimiliano Biolchini, Studio Professionale Associato a Baker & McKenzie is frequently involved in executives and directors-related matters, compliance, as well as in restructurings, business transfers, outsourcing transactions and trade union law. The team recently advised Stella McCartney on all employment activities related to the spin-off of its operations from the Kering Group and assisted Scripps Networks with the integration process in Italy following its acquisition by Discovery Communications. Other clients include Valeo, Borg Warner and Groupon.

Industry focus: Healthcare and life sciences Tier 2

Studio Professionale Associato a Baker & McKenzie's team has 'exceptional expertise' in regulatory, compliance, corporate and administrative matters. The group assisted a global biopharmaceutical company with the regulatory, corporate and public procurement aspects of a multibillion-dollar acquisition. Other notable clients include Baxter and Novo Nordisk. Roberto Cursano co-heads the practice with Pierfrancesco Federici and Aurelio Giovannelli. Mario Cigno made senior associate in July 2018.

Industry focus: TMT Tier 2

The TMT team at Studio Professionale Associato a Baker & McKenzie is 'outstanding' and 'addresses the needs of global clients'. It is noted for its 'substantial experience in digital banking matters'. Raffaele Giarda, Lorenzo de Martinis and counsel Andrea Mezzetti assisted Sky Italia with negotiating a contract with Open Fibre allowing the client to a launch a fiber service in 2019. Other highlights include assisting Linkem with its public tender bid for for 5G communication frequencies. de Martinis is 'client friendly and provides effective advice'. Francesca Gaudino is recommended for her specialist knowledge of data protection and cybersecurity. Counsel Paolo Galli is noted for his experience of media mandates.

Tax Tier 2

Studio Professionale Associato a Baker & McKenzie 'addresses clients' needs'. The practice provides day-to-day tax advice as well as assistance with corporate reorganisations and domestic and cross-border transactions; and the tax litigation and transfer pricing teams advise several clients in the software and digital industry. Mario d’Avossa, who 'delivers efficient analysis', and Carlo Gnetti advised Maire Tecnimont on the tax structuring of its foreign operations and the application of a transfer pricing policy for engineering, production and construction projects. Massimo Giaconia, Francesco Pisciotta, Nicola Crispino and Michele Santocchini are also key names, while Giuliana Polacco, Barbara Faini and Alberto Pregaglia are the counsels to note. Maricla Pennesi left for Studio Legale Tributario in Association with Ernst & Young.

Administrative and public law Tier 3

Headed by Pierfrancesco Federici, Studio Professionale Associato a Baker & McKenzie has experience in a variety of sectors and administrative public law-related matters, including public procurement, tender procedures and M&A transactions. Environmental law, in particular remediation procedures, is another mainstay of the practice. The team advised Abbot Laboratories on the transfer of public contracts and bids following the acquisition of St Jude Medical and assisted Lockheed Martin with obtaining licences and authorisations to import, transport and store military items. Of counsel Francesco Goisis and newly promoted partner Roberto Cursano are also recommended.

EU and competition law Tier 3

The ‘professional’ team at Studio Professionale Associato a Baker & McKenzie is ‘focused on the client’s needs’ and ‘relies on strategic arguments reinforced by good drafting’. The ‘experienced’ Andrea Cicala heads the team. The group advised model management agency IMG Italy in an appeal against the ICA’s decision concerning the alleged exchange of sensitive information within the trade association Assem. Other clients include Daimler, Caterpillar and Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty.

Real estate and construction Tier 3

Studio Professionale Associato a Baker & McKenzie is adept at advising clients in the hotel and retail sectors on real estate transactions and lease agreements. Practice head Pierfrancesco Federici advised the Statuto Group on the sale of an asset in Milan to Amundi Real Estate for €92m and counsel Rita Marchetti assisted Luisa Spagnoli with the negotiation of the lease agreement for its Milan flagship store. Alessandro Matteini is another name to note.

Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 4

Studio Professionale Associato a Baker & McKenzie's practice includes M&A transactions involving hotels and tourism, pharmaceuticals, finance, information and communication technologies and manufacturing, as well as corporate reorganisation work. Pietro Bernasconi and Raffaele Giarda advised DFDS, a Danish shipping and logistics company, on the acquisition of approximately 98 per cent of Turkey’s largest operator of freight ferry routes in the Mediterranean; and Marco Marazzi assisted furniture brand Natuzzi with a joint venture agreement with Jason Furniture (Hangzhou). Fabio Brembati is also an experienced adviser.

Dispute resolution Tier 4

Studio Professionale Associato a Baker & McKenzie counts commercial, finance and commercial litigation as well as domestic and international arbitration as key strengths. Practice head Gianfranco Di Garbo represented WEG in the negotiations with a bankrupt Italian company regarding the recovery of bank guarantees for advance payments made, and defended Azienda Serraglio in a dispute concerning its expropriation of an agricultural property by counterparty Cepag, the consortium in charge of the construction of a public structure. Francesco Maruffi was a new arrival from Simmons & Simmons in July 2018. Counsel Luca Pescatore is also recommended. Leonardo Giani joined Simmons & Simmons and Enrico Maria Mancuso is now with Pedersoli Studio Legale.

Intellectual property Tier 4

Studio Professionale Associato a Baker & McKenzie’s expertise spans transactional IP matters, trade secrets management and protection, as well as non-contentious and contentious trade mark, design and patent issues. The ‘well-structured’ team, which is led by Lorenzo De Martinis and of counsel Carlo Demichelis, frequently advises clients from the fashion sector, as evidenced by its representation of longstanding client Desigual in civil and criminal disputes involving trade mark, copyright and fashion design infringement in Italy, and its acting for Christian Dior Couture in anti-counterfeiting matters. Bialetti, Cassina and Moncler are other notable clients. Counsel Paolo Galli is also recommended.

Banking and finance: Borrower side Tier 5

Studio Professionale Associato a Baker & McKenzie recently advised Borgonuovo on the refinancing of existing debt; BPER Leasing is a client. Alberto Fornari and Ludovico Rusconi are the key contacts; Giorgio Telarico  joined as counsel from Studio Legale RCC.

Banking and finance: lender or arranger side Tier 5

Studio Professionale Associato a Baker & McKenzie's Alberto Fornari recently advised Credem on the sale of a portfolio of NPL mortgage loans. Ludovico Rusconi  is another key adviser and project finance counsel Giorgio Telarico joined from Studio Legale RCC.