Latham & Watkins LLP > Milan, Italy > Firm Profile

Latham & Watkins LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Italy > Capital markets: Debt Tier 1

Latham & Watkins LLP's Italian offices feature both Italian and US law specialists. The practice is jointly led by public and private cross-border deal expert Jeff Lawlis, who is well-known for his advice on high-yield bond and loan products; Paolo Bernasconi, who regularly acts for major corporate clients, investment banks and private equity sponsors on capital markets transactions, particularly issuances of high-yield debt securities; and Antonio Coletti, who acts on a broad range of securities deals. Another name to note is counsel Giorgio Ignazzi, who focuses on international capital markets transactions and securities regulation.

Italy > Private equity Tier 1

Experienced in both inbound and outbound Italian private equity deals, Latham & Watkins LLP's team is particularly well known for advising global private equity houses on large-cap deals. M&A, private equity, joint venture and cross-border transaction specialist, Stefano Sciolla, heads up the group, which includes Cataldo Piccarreta, who routinely acts for private equity sponsors and portfolio companies. The practice further includes Giovanni Sandicchi, who predominantly focuses on contract and corporate law; and Giancarlo D’Ambrosio, an adviser to private equity funds and their portfolio companies. Giorgia Lugli is another key practitioner.

Italy > Banking and finance: Borrower side Tier 2

Latham & Watkins LLP's Milan-based lawyers maintain active practices across acquisition finance, corporate lending, leveraged finance and debt restructuring. With ‘distinctive leadership skills and the ability to manage clients’ expectations', finance specialist Marcello Bragliani, who advises borrowers on leveraged finance and bank and bond transactions, heads up the Italian finance department. Antongiulio Scialpi acts throughout all finance stages, from the initial structuring phases to the negotiation of financing agreements and closing. Alessia De Coppi routinely structures and executes complex financings on behalf of private equity firms and major companies.

Italy > Banking and finance: lender or arranger side Tier 2

Latham & Watkins LLP's banking and finance practice in Milan acts for major lenders on a full range of finance work, including acquisition finance, corporate lending, leveraged finance and debt restructuring. Italian finance department head Marcello Bragliani brings experience to cross-border financings involving tailored structures. Antongiulio Scialpi's practice includes the financing of public-to-private transactions. Another name to note, Alessia De Coppi routinely structures complex financings on behalf of both domestic and international financial institutions.

Italy > Capital markets: Equity Tier 2

Latham & Watkins LLP's Italian ECM team is comprised of both Italian and US law-qualified lawyers. The firm's active client base includes private and public companies, private equity funds, underwriters and placing agents. The group is co-led by Antonio Coletti, who advises on a range of complex securities transactions, and US securities and capital markets specialist Ryan Benedict, who works across the firm’s Milan and London offices. Key support is provided by senior associate Guido Bartolomei, who assists with IPOs and equity transactions.

Italy > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 3

Acting for private and public companies, financial sponsors and advisers, Latham & Watkins LLP’s Italy practice has extensive experience in both inbound and outbound Italian M&A transactions. Team head Stefano Sciolla is a specialist in M&A, private equity, joint ventures, and cross-border deals; Cataldo Piccarreta is a highly-regarded private equity practitioner; and Giovanni Sandicchi focuses primarily on contract and corporate law. Other key advisers are Giancarlo D’Ambrosio and Giorgia Lugli.

Italy > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 4

United States > M&A/corporate and commercial > Corporate governance

The nationwide group at Latham & Watkins LLP includes former SEC senior officials and experienced corporate practitioners, who focus on highly specialized SEC matters involving complex disclosure and compliance issues under the US federal securities laws. Co-chairs Ian Schuman, Keith Halverstam, and Jenna Cooper in New York are key figures in the team and are well supported by Julia Thompson in Washington DC, who focuses on securities regulation. ESG issues are a key area of work for the team, which takes a multidisciplinary approach to a wide range of matters, including responsible investment, sustainability, and corporate integrity issues. Vice-chairs Stelios Saffos  and Jeffrey Lawlis are also key names.