Event information
The Legal 500 proudly presents the inaugural M&A Legal Forum Italy 2024, in collaboration with key partners Pavia e Ansaldo Studio Legale, scheduled for May 16th, 2024, amidst the vibrant pulse of Milan.
Embark on a journey of unparalleled learning and networking as we delve into the nuances of M&A and compliance, unraveling both domestic and international complexities. This groundbreaking event is tailored to equip general counsel and senior in-house legal professionals with the tools and strategies necessary to navigate the evolving legal and business landscape.
With the guidance of our expert panel of speakers, the M&A Legal Forum Italy 2024 promises to offer actionable insights and practical solutions to meet the specific challenges faced by in-house counsel.
Seize the opportunity to be part of this conference, designed exclusively for Italy-based in-house counsel eager to propel their professional growth to unprecedented heights.
Agenda
4:30 pm – 5:00 pm Registration
5:00 pm – 5:15 pm Opening remarks
- Sara Maggi, deputy editor GC Powerlist Series, Legal 500
5:15 pm – 6:00 pm Maximising synergies between in-house and external counsel in M&A
This session will offer an enriching exchange of experiences. Our panel of expert speakers will explore the pivotal role and synergy between external and internal legal input in successful M&A operations. They will delve into the significance of collaboration between these entities throughout the entire M&A process, covering aspects such as structuring, negotiation of clauses, pricing, contractual disputes, critical protection considerations, and beyond. Additionally, our speakers will address the post-closing phase, focusing on target integration into group dynamics from both business and legal viewpoints.
- Paola Carlotti, partner, Pavia e Ansaldo Studio Legale
- Stefano Bianchi, managing partner, Pavia e Ansaldo Studio Legale
- Silvia Signoretti, group corporate law counsel and secretary of the board, Recordati
- Raffaella Colda, general counsel, Haier Europe
6:00 pm – 6:45 pm Balancing compliance in supply chain and outsourcing: European obligations vs. national regulations
This session will delve into the intricate dance of compliance within the supply chain and outsourcing landscape. In the ever-evolving European market, businesses face a delicate balancing act between adhering to overarching European obligations and navigating the nuanced terrain of diverse national regulations. From regulatory hurdles to strategic maneuvers, this session offers a comprehensive exploration of the challenges and opportunities in harmonising compliance efforts. Gain invaluable insights, strategies, and best practices to effectively navigate the complex interplay of European mandates and national requirements.
- Mario Di Giulio, partner, Pavia e Ansaldo Studio Legale
- Stefano Bianchi, managing partner, Pavia e Ansaldo Studio Legale
- Jessica Meloni, head of legal Italy, head of legal Europe Ocean, CEVA Logistics
- Ciro Spinelli, head of legal department, DHL Global Forwarding Italy
6:45 pm – 6:50 pm Closing remarks
6:50 pm – 8:00 pm Networking drinks
Speakers
Mario Di Giulio, partner, Pavia e Ansaldo Studio Legale
Mario Di Giulio has been a partner of the firm since 2007 and shares his time between our Rome and Milan offices. He is head of banking and finance department and compliance department.
Mario has extensive experience in the banking and finance sector and thanks to his background both as practicing attorney and as in-house lawyer in leading financial institutions has honed his skills in the structuring, leading and managing of deals in his areas of specialisation, where he is recognised as a major Italian expert in securitisation and structured finance transactions.
His in-depth knowledge of companies, both as internal and as independent director of international companies, has led Mario to carry out compliance activities as member of many supervisory bodies set up pursuant to Legislative Decree No. 231 of 2001 and the Spanish Criminal Code.
The assistance given in FinTech activities in Europe and in Africa as well, led him to also become an expert on matters related to personal data management.
He is Chairman of the supervisory body of S&P Global Ratings, Italian and Spanish branches, and a member of the International Bar Association (IBA).
Mario is adjunt professor of law of developing countries at Campus Bio-Medico University and Visiting Lecturer (Fashion Law and Ethics) and Member of the Scientific Committee at Luiss Guido Carli Universty – Master in Fashion Law.
Stefano Bianchi, managing partner, Pavia e Ansaldo Studio Legale
Stefano Bianchi has been a partner of Pavia e Ansaldo since 2000 and Managing Partner since 2015, and works mainly out of our Milan office.
As an expert in company and commercial law and advisor to numerous leading industrial corporations and investment funds, both Italian and foreign, Stefano has acquired specific expertise in domestic and cross-border transactions, acquisitions, finance deals, private equity and corporate restructuring.
Stefano also has a solid background in corporate litigation and arbitration, at both national and international level.
He is the author of numerous publications, and he is regularly invited to speak at congresses and seminars.
Stefano is a member of the International Bar Association (IBA).
Paola Carlotti, partner, Pavia e Ansaldo Studio Legale
Paola Carlotti has been a partner of Pavia e Ansaldo since 2015 and is principally based in our Milan office.
Paola has built up a wide expertise in the M&A practice, with a special focus on the private equity industry, having worked over the years on a large number of extraordinary transactions, both domestic and cross-border, representing corporations, family-owned companies, PE firms and investors on a varied range of acquisitions, investments, add-ons and divestitures.
Paola also assists corporations in the negotiations with managers of investment agreements, management incentive plans as well as on corporate governance matters. She further advises on restructuring and insolvency-related issues and represents clients in connection with distressed acquisitions.
She is author of several articles on M&A and private equity matters as well as on insolvency, and she is member of the International Bar Association (IBA) and S.I.S.CO. (the Italian Society of Insolvency Studies).
Sara Maggi, deputy editor GC Powerlist Series, Legal 500
Silvia Signoretti, group corporate law counsel and secretary of the board, Recordati
Silvia Signoretti is an Italian qualified lawyer with more than 20 years of experience (both in law firm and in-house). After graduating in law at the Padua University, she obtained a master’s degree in law and economy at Luiss Guido Carli University.
She gained significant professional experience in the field of M&A, corporate law and capital markets at Studio Pirola Pennuto Zei & Associati.
In 2004 she crossed the bridge, moving to an in-house role and she joined the corporate affairs department of RCS MediaGroup, an international multimedia publishing company, listed on the Italian Stock Exchange, where she focused her activity in the area of corporate governance, corporate and commercial law and M&A. Within RCS Group, she was assigned with increasing responsibilities and, at the end of 2009, she was entrusted with the responsibility of the corporate law department at Dada, an Italian listed digital service leader.
At the end of 2010 she joined Recordati and over the past 14 years, as corporate law counsel, she has been advising the parent company, listed on the Italian Stock Exchange (FTSE Mob index) and, in general, the Group on all aspects of corporate governance, compliance with securities laws, corporate law in general as well as on the extraordinary finance transactions of the Group. Till 2019 she also supported the M&A deals, contributing to the acquisition of several companies.
In addition to her role as corporate law counsel of Recordati, she is also secretary of the board of directors.
Jessica Meloni, head of legal Italy, head of legal Europe Ocean, CEVA Logistics
Head of legal Italy and head of legal Europe Ocean of the international transport, logistics, and shipping group CEVA Logistics, Jessica, is currently based at the Milan office since 2019, focusing on managing the Italian legal department, as well as the European countries with reference to maritime transport.
Jessica is also, since 2020, a member of the board of directors of C&M Book Logistics, a joint venture born from the partnership between CEVA Logistics Italy and the partner EMMEFELIBRI (a company owned by the Messaggerie and Feltrinelli Group).
Previously, Jessica has collaborated with leading Italian and international law firms, such as PwC, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, and most recently Bonelli Erede, developing skills in labour law, corporate law, and M&A. Jessica has also served as legal counsel for Italy, Spain, and Portugal at UPS (United Parcel Service), based in Brussels.
Thanks to her professional experience, she has developed a strong sense of pragmatism and flexibility in a business-oriented approach, as well as specific expertise in procurement and related compliance. Jessica was recognised by The Legal 500 in 2023, in the GC Powerlist Italy.
Jessica actively participates in conferences, seminars, roundtables, as a speaker, especially on topics related to emerging issues, particularly in the logistics, transportation, shipping sectors, and more generally in procurement, compliance, and M&A, as well as on topics related to soft skills and leadership.
Jessica is a member of AIGI and a founding member of the GCA where she currently serves as president of the training committee.
Ciro Spinelli, head of legal department, DHL Global Forwarding Italy
Ciro is a legal professional with a rich and diverse background. After graduating from the University of Parma with a degree in law and obtaining certification to practice, he honed his legal skills in three prestigious law firms in Milan, specialising in civil, commercial, and criminal law.
In 1997, Ciro embarked on a remarkable journey with DHL, where he currently serves as the head of legal department for DHL Global Forwarding Italy and Hillebrand Gori Italy. His responsibilities extend beyond national borders, as he also coordinates legal matters across Europe for these entities.
Additionally, Ciro plays a significant role in industry associations, holding the position of vice president of Fedespedi (the Italian Federation of Freight Forwarders) and leading the legal committee. In 2021, Ciro collaborated on legislative revisions to the Italian Civil Code concerning transport and shipping, contributing to the enactment of Law 233/2021 – D.L. 152/2021.
In academia, Ciro serves on the scientific committee at LIUC (Cattaneo University) and collaborates with Politecnico di Milano, co-authoring a chapter on transport law and postal law.
Raffaella Colda, general counsel, Haier Europe
Qualified lawyer – with over twenty years of experience in multinational (Haier Smart Home, E.I. DuPont, FMC) and Italian companies (Seat Pagine Gialle, Telecom) listed on different stock exchange markets (Shanghai, Hong Kong, Frankfurt, New York, Milan) and primary players in different sectors (New Technologies, IoT, Chemical, Pharma, White goods and small domestic appliances).
In the career growth, I used a pragmatic work approach problem solving and cost efficient oriented especially in the areas of compliance (GDPR, Antitrust), risk assessment (FCPA, 23, export control both from EU and US jurisdiction) and R&D.
I have consolidated a significant experience in corporate, commercial, civil, criminal (investigations) and administrative matters and I have managed important national and international M&A operations both as legal leader at global level but also as project leader of full projects.
Strong experience on IP matters, anti –counterfeiting projects related to trademarks and patents and on privacy legislation (GDPR), antitrust and compliance.
