DLA Piper is lauded for its 'technical knowledge, strategic insight, and appreciable commitment to client service'. Co-led by Germana Cassar in Milan and Vincenzo La Malfa in Rome, the team advises on development projects, the structuring of project financing and refinancing, and the negotiation of PPP contractual frameworks. Giulio Maroncelli focuses on the sale of capital, battery energy storage systems, and the drafting and negotiation of virtual power purchase agreements. Francesco Novelli is also a notable member of the team.
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.

  • Francesco Chericoni is consistently available, well-prepared, and balanced in his approach. Giovanni Ragnoni Bosco Lucarelli brings deep experience and is reliably present when complex or sensitive issues need to be resolved. Giulio Maroncelli and Riccardo Malavolti are sharp and up to date on regulatory developments—recent work on the tolling agreement is a clear example of their proactive and informed support.
  • Once again this year, I had the opportunity to work with DLA Piper, which has reaffirmed its position as a top-tier legal partner. Their expertise goes well beyond financing, extending to regulatory matters and project contract structuring with remarkable precision. What truly sets DLA apart from other law firms is its consistently balanced approach: they remain focused on the overall project vision without overcomplicating negotiations, and they allow space for principals to lead and shape the deal. DLA combines commercial pragmatism with robust legal protection, making them an ideal strategic ally in complex transactions.
  • ‘The team distinguishes itself for technical knowledge, strategic insight, and appreciable commitment to client service. Unlike many competitors, they combine speed and precision with a pragmatic, solution-oriented mindset, ensuring that advice is both legally sound and commercially viable.’
  • ‘We particularly value the availability and engagement of the individuals we worked with. Special mention to the partner Giulio Maroncelli.’
  • ‘The team is unique because they have deep knowledge of the Energy market like no one else. Compared to other firms, they are able to provide you with a very clear explanation in a simple way regarding very complicated matters.'
  • 'I appreciated the creative solutions provided to the client, rather than just explaining the legal point of view. The experience in the sector helps a lot.’
  • ‘The DLA Piper team uniquely highlights the professionalism of its collaborators. The partners provide synergistic and timely leadership of activities, the associates put into action the interests of the firm and its clients, and the rest of the group works with synergy and care, fostering a strong sense of responsibility towards the clients.’
  • ‘The Italian team is extremely experienced and has a wide reputation. They helped us during the purchase of wind projects and all related disputes very well!'
  • 'The team boasts a human capital composed of professionals of various kinds, capable of providing clarifications on every aspect and delving into every detail. The spirit of collaboration and attention to the different operational phases make the team unique and ready for any challenge.'

Key clients

  • EDP Renewables Italia Holding S.r.l.
  • Nuveen
  • A2A
  • Ferrovie Nord Milano S.p.A.
  • Equitix European Infrastructure I GP S.a.r.l.
  • BNP Paribas
  • Aquila Capital AG
  • Associazione Italia Solare
  • SUSI PARTNERS AG
  • Norddeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale
  • Coöperative Rabobank UA
  • Rivage Investments
  • ABN Amro
  • Apex Financial Services Spain
  • Commerzbank
  • Gruppo Energred
  • BPER Banca S.p.A.
  • Banco BPM
  • Belenergia S.p.A.
  • SIENNA INVESTMENTS MANAGERS

Work highlights

Assisted A2A S.p.A. with the sale of the entire quota capital of AP Reti Gas North S.r.l., owning 2 going concerns transferred by LD Reti and Unareti and consisting of about 490,000 connection points for the distribution of gas in the Province of Milan, Italy.
Advised Natixis S.A. on a EUR116m project financing transaction granted to MV Holding for the construction of three wind farms with a total capacity of 81.8 MW, located in Sicily and Puglia.
Assisted Alerion Clean Power with a case where a private individual had challenged the expropriation decree issued by the Province of Viterbo in favour of Alerion for the construction of a 29.4 MW wind farm in the municipality of Arlena di Castro.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame

The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.

Leading partners

The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

Germana Cassar; Vincenzo La Malfa

Other key lawyers

Francesco Novelli; Giulio Maroncelli