DLA Piper > Milan, Italy > Firm Profile

DLA Piper > The Legal 500 Rankings

Italy > Administrative and public law Tier 1

Boasting ‘in-depth knowledge of the sector’, DLA Piper houses a market-leading administrative and public law team. Its expertise spans a host of sectors, with demonstrated prowess in the infrastructure, transportation, energy and water services sectors. The practice also remains at the forefront of the life sciences and medical devices sector, with a strong track record in related contentious matters before the administrative courts. Practice head Germana Cassar advises a diverse roster of clients across the gamut of administrative law matters; Cassar's expertise spans environmental law, public tenders, town planning and administrative litigation. Giorgia Romitelli spearheads the firm’s public procurement work, bringing to the team expert knowledge in public contracts and PPP and advising clients across the healthcare, public infrastructure and services and IT sectors. Focusing on public contracts, Anna Mazzoncini provides national and international clients with both judicial and extra-judicial advice. Mattia Malinverni is active in litigation related to environmental and renewable energy matters, waste management and public incentive schemes.

Italy > Compliance Tier 1

DLA Piper's broad practice covers corporate compliance programmes, internal investigations, international sanctions, crime prevention, anti-money laundering, and anti-bribery and corruption. Other key areas are regulatory investigations, export controls, antitrust compliance, data protection compliance, and tax and budget fraud. The team is co-led by pharmaceutical and medical device industry specialist Raffaella Quintana, who is ‘one of the greatest compliance experts around’; and Antonio Carino, who defends major corporations against Decree 231-related criminal proceedings. The department also includes Francesco Lalli and Raffaele Perfetto, who both advise on corporate criminal liability matters.

Italy > Data privacy and data protection Tier 1

Part of the firm’s IP and tech department, DLA Piper’s Milan-based data privacy and protection group has notable expertise in data-driven projects, managing cyberattacks, and navigating privacy-related disputes. It recently also assisted several major clients with the establishment of AI compliance programmes. Heading up the group, Giulio Coraggio‘s notable track record includes advising cryptocurrency providers on the exploitation of blockchain-related data; Giulia Zappaterra is a privacy, data protection and cybersecurity expert; and Cristina Criscuoli specialises in privacy and data protection matters in the life sciences and financial sectors.

Italy > Employment Tier 1

DLA Piper supports domestic and international clients in a broad range of employment issues, including those raising issues in wider practice areas. The firm assists clients with industrial relations, restructuring processes, senior management matters and disciplinary procedures. It is further knowledgeable of social security and furlough schemes. The team is spearheaded from Rome by Fabrizio Morelli, who is experienced in M&A-related employment issues. Giampiero Falasca, ‘a true partner’, covers trade unions and social security advice. Federico Strada is a specialist in both the labour and the health and safety sectors.

Italy > Industry focus: Energy Tier 1

DLA Piper‘s broad expertise encompasses energy financing, litigation, as well as M&A. Vincenzo La Malfa heads the practice and is skilled at energy efficiency and sustainability matters, while Giulio Maroncelli and Francesco Novelli are versed in corporate energy matters. Germana Cassar is well-regarded in the electricity sector and Giovanni Ragnoni Bosco Lucarelli is knowledgeable of regulatory energy mandates. Giampiero Priori is another key team member.

Italy > Industry focus: Healthcare and life sciences Tier 1

DLA Piper’s broad offering regularly handles cross-border joint ventures, private equity investment mandates, and clinical trial agreements for its lucrative, global client base of pharma and biotech companies. Practice head Roberto Valenti is well-equipped to assist clients with the full range of soft IP disputes and commercial issues surrounding medical devices. Marco de Morpurgo divides his time between Rome and Brussels, with his primary area of expertise being EU and Italian regulation of biotech, medical devices, and pharma products. Raffaella Quintana stands out due to her longstanding expertise in internal investigations and commercial fraud matters within the life sciences space, often representing pharma companies, while regulatory expert Nicola Landolfi is known for his vast knowledge of both EU and Italian law governing the licensing of products and clinical trials.

Italy > Industry focus: Luxury goods Tier 1

Providing a comprehensive service, DLA Piper supports domestic and multinational clients on all issues arising in the luxury goods industry and is especially well-versed in international investment matters. In addition, the firm regularly advises clients on IP matters and commercial litigations. The practice is led by Davide Rossetti, a litigator with experience before the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, and Elena Varese, who specialises in IP, unfair competition and advertising law. Alessandro Piermanni advises on M&A transactions, joint ventures and e-commerce platforms. Valentina Mazza supplements the firm’s IP strength with experience in trade marks, unfair competition, copyright and trade secrets.

Italy > Industry focus: Retail Tier 1

DLA Piper counsels domestic and international retailers, including several high-profile names, on a breadth of advisory, transactional and contentious legal issues. The team has seen particular recent activity in IP-related matters, including setting up and defending trade marks. The team has a large, multi-practice panel of lawyers which has experience in handling corporate transactions, data protection issues and advertising laws. Davide Rossetti specialises in commercial litigations and co-heads the team with Elena Varese, who has contentious and non-contentious experience in IP, competition and consumer regulations.

Italy > Industry focus: TMT Tier 1

The team at DLA Piper is comprised of experts across the entire field of TMT, combining knowledge in telecoms, AI, cybersecurity, gaming, outsourcing and IP to deliver for its market-leading clients. The firm’s clientele includes developers in the computer software, automotive and cryptocurrency fields as well as telecoms providers, media companies and consulting firms. Overseeing the practice, Giulio Coraggio excels in advising clients on major AI projects in Europe and significant cyberattacks. Centred in Rome, Alessandro Boso Caretta focuses on providing transactional and contentious support for clients in the telecoms sector. Alessandro Ferrari is an IP specialist and a seasoned advisor on public tenders for IT solution providers. Giulia Zappaterra adds data protection and cybersecurity nous, whilst Giacomo Lusardi brings commercial and IP law knowledge to the team. All lawyers are based in Milan unless stated otherwise.

Italy > Intellectual property

DLA Piper handles the full gamut of IP law matters, including cross-border patent litigation for clients in the pharma, tech, and energy sectors, and a variety of soft IP issues, including trade mark strategy, the protection of trade secrets, anti-counterfeiting and enforcement, and contentious and non-contentious copyright issues for a broad base of multinational and domestic companies. The practice, which is led by Giulio Coraggio, comprises seasoned patent litigator Gualtiero Dragotti; Roberto Valenti, who boasts significant experience in soft IP portfolio management, trade secrets, and the commercialisation of IP, particularly for clients in the life sciences sector; and geographical indications and trade mark portfolio management specialist Ginevra Righini, who made partner in May 2024. Other key team members include Elena Varese, who comes recommended for soft IP advisory work, particularly in the fashion sphere, and Laura Gastaldi, who focuses on non-contentious soft IP matters. Lara Mastrangelo is a key contact for clients in the media and entertainment spheres, and Massimiliano Tiberio and Valentina Mazza are other key members of the team.

Italy > Banking and finance: Borrower side Tier 2

DLA Piper's banking and finance team routinely advises on syndicated lending transactions, along with real estate, energy and infrastructure project financings. Luciano Morello leads the group, which features renowned finance law specialist Antonio Lombardo; acquisition and project finance expert Federico Zucconi Galli Fonseca; energy project financing practitioner Giovanni Ragnoni Bosco Lucarelli; Giuseppe Mele, an adviser on corporate, leveraged, real estate and structured finance; and Italy banking and financial services head  Ugo Calò. Additional names to note are Giampiero Priori, Riccardo Pagotto, Claudio D’Alia, Silvia Ravagnani, and Ivano Antonio Sproviero.

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

Consistently involved in major bilateral or syndicated lending transactions, DLA Piper‘s Italy practice has significant leveraged and corporate lending expertise. The department also has notable energy, infrastructure and real estate financing credentials. Luciano Morello leads the group, which features renowned finance specialist Antonio Lombardo; corporate, leverage, real estate and structured finance expert Giuseppe Mele; and acquisition and project finance practitioners Federico Zucconi Galli Fonseca and Giovanni Ragnoni Bosco Lucarelli. Additional names to note are Italy banking and financial services leader Ugo Calò, along with Giampiero Priori, Riccardo Pagotto and Claudio D’Alia.

Italy > Dispute resolution Tier 2

With specialists based across the globe, DLA Piper is noted for its ‘ability to assist clients in multiple sectors and markets’. The team covers the full gamut of industry disputes, with experience in financial, insolvency, real estate and infrastructure litigation. The firm also advises clients on environmental issues and disputes surrounding export control or sanctions. The team is led by David Maria Marino, a specialist in insurance and financial litigation. Bruno Giuffrè advises clients on corporate and director liability, with experience in cross-border contexts. Stefano Modenesi is an experienced advisor in international arbitration. Davide Rossetti possesses particular expertise in consumer goods and retail litigation.

Italy > EU and competition law Tier 2

‘An excellent team’, the lawyers at DLA Piper advise clients on cartels, abuse of dominant position, merger control, distribution agreements and antitrust litigation. The firm is experienced in investigations and subsequent appeals. The firm also regularly advises clients on compliance programmes. Based in Rome, the department is spearheaded by Alessandro Boso Caretta, an experienced litigator, and Domenico Gullo, who is knowledgeable of antitrust litigation. Bice Di Sano is another key name with particular experience in the telecoms sector.

Italy > Industry focus: Food Tier 2

DLA Piper maintains its strength in IP-related matters in the food & beverage sectors, including advisory and enforcement issues concerning geographical designations. The firm is well-positioned to assist clients in their international expansions, with experience in corporate transactions, manufacturing, importing, supplying, packaging and labelling issues. The team is led by Elena Varese, an IP, food law and competition expert, and Davide Rossetti. Made partner in May 2024, Ginevra Righini is an expert in geographical designation protection and enforcement.

Italy > Industry focus: Manufacturing Tier 2

DLA Piper is a trusted counsel for numerous prominent manufacturing clients, spanning industries such as fashion, automotive, and infrastructure. The firm provides support across a range of areas, including transactional matters, corporate law, intellectual property, and real estate. Alessandro Piermanni leads the team with a particular focus on industrial M&A and private equity in the manufacturing space.

Italy > Investment funds Tier 2

DLA Piper's investment management and funds practice in Italy acts for Italian and international fund managers, collective investment schemes, and institutional investors on both transactional and regulatory matters. The group is headed up by financial services and investment funds specialist Agostino Papa, who is ‘one of the market’s great players’. The team further includes Nicoletta Alfano, an adviser on financial services regulation; Edoardo Campo, who is experienced in asset management, as well as private equity, real estate, social housing and infrastructure funds; and the ‘technical and prepared’ Eusapia Simone.

Italy > Real estate and construction Tier 2

Strengthened by the addition of Federico Barbàra from Greenberg Traurig Santa Maria in May 2024, DLA Piper boasts expertise across the real estate and construction spectrum, with specialists in funding, investment, asset management and planning. The team is also able to draw on the firm’s international network to assist on cross-border matters. Helming the practice, Olaf Schmidt focuses on investment and tax law. Notable members of the team include transaction expert Elena Generini, planning expert Valentina Marengo and construction advisor Francesco Edoardo Ascione.

Italy > Tax Tier 2

DLA Piper‘s recent tax mandates range from cross-border reorganisations, tax restructuring, M&A, audits, litigation and real estate-related taxation, to IPOs, structured finance, wealth planning, private client matters, tax control frameworks, VAT and transfer pricing. Tax specialist Christian Montinari leads the group, which includes Antonio Tomassini, who regularly acts in domestic and international investigations, settlements and rulings. Antonio Martino, Federico Pacelli, Carlotta Benigni, Giovanni Iaselli, Alessandro Martinelli and Antonio Longo are also key figures.

Italy > Banking and finance: Bank regulatory Tier 3

DLA Piper's Rome-based financial services practice is routinely mandated to advise on domestic and cross-border banking and financial regulations. The team’s expertise covers anti-money laundering, derivatives, usury law, payment services, e-money, and other banking, payment and financial services-related technology matters (including crypto assets). Financial and banking regulation expert Agostino Papa leads the group, which includes derivatives and financial regulation specialist Vincenzo La Malfa. Nicoletta Alfano is another key contact.

Italy > Capital markets: Debt Tier 3

With significant real estate, sports and entertainment sector expertise, DLA Piper's structured products practice in Italy covers bank and corporate bond issues, as well as securitisations, covered bonds and senior financings. Italian finance department head Luciano Morello advises on asset securitisations, covered bond issuances, and real estate and energy-related structured finance; Martina Antoniutti has notable debt capital markets experience; and Erik Negretto focuses on public and private securitisation transactions.

Italy > Capital markets: Equity Tier 3

Particularly focused on cross-border transactions, DLA Piper‘s equity capital markets team acts for financial institutions and issuers on IPOs (including SPAC IPOs), rights issues, tender offers, secondary offerings, and convertible, equity-linked and hybrid instruments. With extensive experience in the equity capital markets sector, Francesco Maria Aleandri heads the group from Milan. Key support is provided by Stefano Montalbetti, whose experience encompasses IPOs, secondary offerings, listings, and public tender offers.

Italy > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 3

Among the several experienced corporate lawyers in DLA Piper’s Italy offices, Wolf Michael Kühne is a longstanding corporate and M&A specialist; energy M&A expert Giulio Maroncelli ‘stands out for his exceptional leadership and deep expertise’; Dino Dima has significant telecoms and ICT industry expertise; Matteo Almini regularly acts for real estate, private equity, banking and insurance clients; and Danilo Surdi advises on the sale and acquisition of family-owned businesses.

Italy > Private equity Tier 3

Covering both domestic and international transactions, DLA Piper‘s Italian private equity practice advises on high-end sales and acquisitions. The team also comprises experts in management-side deals and distressed asset transactions. Heading the firm’s industrial sector offering in Italy, Alessandro Piermanni leads the private equity group. Danilo Surdi‘s workload includes advising on the sale and acquisition of family-owned businesses. Anna Saraceno and Sira Franzini are also experienced practitioners.

Italy > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 3

Supporting both debtors and creditors, DLA Piper regularly advises on the gamut of restructuring issues, with broad experience working on bond position restructurings and the restructuring of UTP exposures. The firm regularly advises on composition with creditors' agreements and negotiated settlements. Heading the practice from Rome, Antonio Lombardo specialises in debt-equity swaps in distressed situations. Ugo Calò is a financing expert with a particular strength in infrastructure and real estate finance. Alberto Angeloni is also noted for his work in insolvency litigation. In January 2025, Francesco De Gennaro left the firm.