CMS > Milan, Italy > Firm Profile

CMS > The Legal 500 Rankings

Italy > Tax Tier 2

CMS houses corporation tax, direct taxation, VAT, international taxation and transfer pricing experts. It also assists with digital economy tax issues, private client matters and tax disputes. Managing partner Giuseppe Ascoli and Federico Raffaelli, who is ‘trusted by clients‘, co-lead the team. Also notable are Giovanni Calì, Stefano Chirichigno and Fabrizio Alimandi, all of whom have broad tax practices; Beatrice Fimiani is a tax litigator; Carlo Gnetti and Mario Martinelli advise on corporate taxation; and Stefano Giuliano is ‘outstanding‘. Vittoria Segre is an experienced counsel.

Italy > Banking and finance: Bank regulatory Tier 3

The regulatory practice of CMS‘ Italy team comprises investment services, asset management, insurance, fintech and payment services. The group is led by financial services specialist Paolo Bonolis, who advises major domestic and international banks and financial institutions. Providing key support are public finance expert Domenico Gaudiello, the firm’s global head of alternative lending, and alternative investment team leader, Andrea Arcangeli. At counsel level, Domenico Musso‘s experience includes regulatory issues.

Italy > Industry focus: TMT Tier 3

CMS advises domestic and international clients and start-ups on TMT policy development, e-commerce projects, and joint ventures. The team also regularly supports technology, media and telecoms organisations and is often engaged in matters pertaining to digital currencies, AI, blockchain and social media. Italo de Feo oversees the team and handles data protection, IT, and broadcasting and media regulation mandates. Paolo Scarduelli acts as a key port of call for domestic and international private equity clients on antitrust matters as well as corporate matters across a variety of sectors. Matia Campo was promoted to the partnership in mid-2022.

Italy > Investment funds Tier 3

Italy > Private equity Tier 3

CMS is home to a global private equity practice, which includes a dedicated funds group, geared to support open, closed-end, institutional, retail and private funds, among others, on the full array of formation, restructuring, regulatory and operational affairs. The practice is likewise extremely active on the transactional front and is headed by Paolo Scarduelli, an M&A and corporate finance expert with a keen eye for deals within the insurance, banking, TMC and automotive industries.

Italy > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 4

CMS' team is adept in both the top-end and middle-markets, with specific expertise of the energy, construction and engineering, life sciences, automotive, transport and healthcare industries. Pietro Cavasola leads the practice; he has extensive experience of M&A, private equity and joint venture transactions, in addition to general corporate law and commercial contracts.

Italy > Compliance Tier 4

CMS‘ Italy compliance practice assists both corporations and individuals in criminal proceedings and investigations in relation to bribery and corruption, money laundering, and tax offences. It also advises on environmental and health and safety matters, and insider trading and market manipulation. Emilio Battaglia is experienced in criminal matters involving companies’ corporate management.

Italy > Industry focus: Energy Tier 4

The credentials of CMS‘ Italian energy practice cover M&A, commercial contracts, tax, and administrative and regulatory matters. Department head Pietro Cavasola advises national and multinational energy sector companies on oil and gas and renewables matters. He also assists industrial companies with energy transition-related transactions. Matteo Ciminelli is experienced in renewable energy projects.

Italy > Banking and finance: Borrower side Tier 5

CMS‘ borrower-side practice is experienced in financing, refinancing and acquisition finance, along with and debt restructuring. Banking and financial law department head Paolo Bonolis routinely assists internationally active clients from the investment services, insolvency, shipping and private equity sectors. Bonolis also advises the leasing and financing divisions of major automobile brands.

Italy > Banking and finance: lender or arranger side Tier 5

CMS‘s active lender practice in Italy routinely assists with complex finance deals and related security packages. Paolo Bonolis is the contact partner for several major domestic and international banks and financial institutions, while Domenico Gaudiello is a public finance specialist. Counsel Maria Giovanna Pisani regularly structures national and cross-border financings.

Italy > Dispute resolution Tier 5

At CMS, practice heads Laura Opilio and Paola Ghezzi oversee a practice adept in complex transnational multiparty claims, litigating before all Italian courts. The team assists clients in defence class actions, damage, medical malpractice and product liability claims, and benefits from close cross-practice cooperation, in particular with the corporate, tax and insurance departments. Opilio also acts in both national and international arbitration matters.

Italy > Real estate and construction Tier 5

CMS advises on real estate transactions in Italy and across Europe. It assists with investments, financing and taxation, along with development-related planning, environmental and construction matters. The real estate practice is co-led by Rome-based property transactions specialist Marco Casasole, and Milan’s Dietmar Zischg, who advises funds on purchases and sales.