Led by wider banking and finance practice head Alessandro Fosco Fagotto, and head of financial services Alessandro Engst, Dentons supports clients with regulated M&A and other complex transactions, including the establishment of new regulated entities, corporate governance, and contentious issues like transparency, AML, and anti-terrorism and sanctioning-related work. The group is also occupied with fintech, payment services and sustainable finance, remaining a go-to for a diverse and impressive Italian and international client base .Valerio Lemma focuses on fintech, insurer-tech and digital payment solutions, and Lorenzo Toppini handles transactions and regulatory issues involving derivatives and structured products.
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Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Client satisfaction: NPS ®
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘The team is well reputed in the market and can provide a wide range of services. There is a good mix of technical skills and commercial approach.’
- ‘Alessandro Engst has a solid reputation. Lorenzo Toppini has great technical skills, is easy to reach and has a pragmatic approach.’
- ‘What makes the practice unique is its ability to combine deep legal knowledge with commercial pragmatism, particularly in complex regulatory and transactional matters. The team supporting our company demonstrated exceptional responsiveness, strategic insight, and a clear understanding of our business priorities. Dentons offers also agility and access to a diverse pool of talent across jurisdictions, which enhances both speed and quality of service, and the use of advanced platforms for document sharing and workflow management.’
- ‘Among the professionals I’ve had the pleasure to work with, Lorenzo Toppini from Dentons stands out for his deep expertise in banking and financial law, but also his ability to translate complex legal frameworks into clear, actionable advice that aligns with business priorities. He consistently demonstrates a proactive approach, anticipating potential issues and offering solutions that are both legally sound and commercially viable. What I’ve particularly appreciated in Lorenzo is his balance of technical rigour and human warmth.’
- 'Precision in European and international compliance (e.g., SFTR, EMIR). Fast, responsive support with tailored documentation. Seamless cross-functional collaboration. Use of technology for compliance tracking. Flexible billing models.’
- 'Lorenzo Toppini is highly skilled in complex financial regulations and legal frameworks (e.g., BRRD, GMRA, ISDA), offering tailored legal opinions that balance precision with flexibility. He consistently delivers timely updates and integrates feedback quickly, making collaboration smooth and efficient.'
Key clients
- Intesa Sanpaolo
- Mediobanca
- CaixaBank
- UniCredit
- Fidelity
- IBL Banca
- IOR (Istituto per le Opere di Religione)
- Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena
- Cassa depositi e prestiti (CDP)
Work highlights
Assisting Fidelity on several strategic regulatory matters concerning its business in Italy and other European jurisdictions.
Assisting CaixaBank in several regulatory matters since the opening of its first Italian branch in 2023.
Assisting IBL Banca in the revision of its master services agreement regulating the provision of investment services and activities to retail and professional clients.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Alessandro Engst; Alessandro Fosco Fagotto
Other key lawyers
Valerio Lemma; Lorenzo Toppini