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.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘A one-stop-shop able to assist throughout the whole phases of a deal.’
‘Carmen Chierchia is an outstanding lawyer that makes the difference: she has a solid legal preparation and she is a very strong litigator.'
'Filippo Colonna is an excellent lawyer.’
‘The real estate team at DLA in Italy offers an excellent blend of expertise across various areas, ensuring comprehensive client support throughout acquisition negotiations, as well as post-acquisition management and construction management.'
‘Valentina Marengo, Carmen Chierchia and Carlotta Benigni represent excellence in the Italian landscape.’
‘Made up of highly qualified professionals, it is a cross-functional team, because it collaborates with other areas such as public law, litigation, commercial law, and M&A.’
‘The strength of this team, which distinguishes it from other law firms, is the extreme attention to client needs and responsiveness, far above average.’
‘Profound knowledge of the market practice. One can always expect an in-depth feasibility analysis on projects and practical advisory.’
‘Valentina Marengo is an amazing legal teams coordinator, she is always seeking to find accurate answers to complex matters.'
Key clients
- Aberdeen
- Angelo Gordon
- AXA
- Azimut
- Bain Credit
- BNP Paribas
- Blackstone
- Brookfield
- Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board
- Castello SGR
Work highlights
- Represented Savills Investment Management as managing company of the Italian reserved real estate alternative investment fund named “LIF 2” in the acquisition of a European logistics hub with a total gross leasable area of about 165,000 square meters.
- Assisted Realty Income, as purchaser, in the sale and lease back transaction of a Decathlon real estate portfolio of 82 retail assets across five jurisdictions with a total investment value of EUR 527 million.
- Assisting the client in the acquisition of a dismissed industrial complex, previously operated by Enel, located in Segrate and additional building rights to develop a new data centre complex.
Lawyers
Hall of fame
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Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next generation partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
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
Olaf Schmidt
Other key lawyers
Elena Generini; Valentina Marengo; Francesco Edoardo Ascione; Federico Barbàra; Carmen Chierchia; Filippo Colonna; Carlotta Benigni