Mario D’Ovidio, who handles leveraged, corporate, and asset-based financings, co-heads the transport, infrastructure and energy-focused practice at Watson Farley & Williams alongside Furio Samela, whose broad remit includes maritime financing, insolvency, NPLs and more. Matteo Trabacchin is a key name for cross-border transactions and energy financing.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Working with the WFW team brings real added value to every project thanks to their deep expertise in the sector, experience with other clients, and proactive approach. As a bank, we enjoy working with them because the team is always available, highly responsive and has a flexible approach. Our collaboration is smooth and professional and we enjoy the insights they bring to our work.’
- ‘Matteo Trabacchin and Dario Matrecano stand out. Matteo is a very experienced professional who is able to explain complex legal situations in a very simple and clear manner, so that it is easy for us to put his suggestions into practice. We take strongly into consideration his comments. Dario is very proactive and does his best to be the point of contact between us and the client. He is always very precise and takes his tasks seriously. We appreciate working with him because he gives his own contribution by proposing ideas.’
- ‘The firm distinguishes itself in Italy in the banking practice, and is recognised as one of the most sophisticated players in the field of project and export finance, particularly in the shipping, aviation, and energy sectors. The team’s deep industry knowledge makes it an authoritative and highly reliable partner in the context of the most complex and sophisticated transactions.'
- 'Mario D'Ovidio’s technical expertise is virtually unmatched in the Italian market. He is widely recognised and selected by both national and international banks, as well as by national industry associations and institutions, to lead the most complex and high-value export finance and ECA-covered transactions. His reputation, deep sector knowledge, and ability to manage complex deal structures make him a true standout in the market.’
Key clients
- Banco BPM
- Banco Santander
- Bayern LB
- BBVA
- BNP Paribas
- Cassa Depositi e Prestiti
- CAIXA Bank
- Commerzbank
- Crédit Agricole - Corporate Investment Bank
- Crédit Agricole Italia
- Deutsche Bank
- HSBC
Work highlights
Advised Banco Santander, S.A. on a financing to Trina Solar for the acquisition, construction and development of a pipeline of renewable projects.
Advised Cassa Despositi e Prestiti and SACE on a €200m financing to Development Bank of Kazakhstan to fund projects.
Advised J.P. Morgan and SACE on the €100m financing of the designer outlet Florentia Village.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Mario D’Ovidio; Furio Samela
Other key lawyers
Matteo Trabacchin; Dario Matrecano