Studio Legale VILDE

The firm: A leading firm in administrative law, with offices in Milan, Rome, Bologna, Padua and Sondrio, Studio Legale VILDE was established in 1999, a merger of the studios of Avv Prof Riccardo Villata and Avv Andreina Degli Esposti. The firm’s practice covers a variety of areas – from infrastructure and oil and gas projects to public utilities and environmental law – while its extensive judicial and extra judicial experience has enabled it to become a key consultancy structure.

The Italian legal system is seeing the administrative and civil law sectors become increasingly interlinked, an aspect that Studio Vilde embraces also, working with large multinational companies on matters involving corporate and financial law. The firm thrives within the constantly evolving legal environment due to its ability to adapt and the fact that it is always up to date with the latest changes. Added to this, on account of its dynamic structure – with its various offices – the firm is always able to respond promptly to all its clients’ needs.

Areas of practice: The firm’s practice covers all areas of public law. It specialises predominantly in:

Litigation: the firm’s main practice area is litigation. Its partners regularly represent clients before the administrative courts and the firm has extensive experience in procedures before the Italian Court of Audit. This excellent litigation practice has allowed the firm to strengthen its expertise in non-contentious matters across all areas of public law.

Environment: the firm boasts an unrivalled combination of comprehensive and experienced practice in both the remediation and waste sectors, along with an exceptional legal service in criminal law, litigations (before administrative or civil courts) and the structuring of complex transactions.

Energy: the firm primarily assists the principal Italian companies in the energy sector on the following matters: exploration, production, storage and distribution of natural gas; power generation (including renewable sources, cogeneration and waste-to-energy) and distribution; and the storage and distribution of oil.

Oil and gas: the firm assists major companies operating in the Italian oil and gas sectors in (i) the regulation process under Italian authorities; (ii) the acquisition of concessions and administrative permits; and (iii) litigation.

Waste: the firm advises the principal companies in the waste market.

Privatisation: the firm has developed widespread expertise in both privatisations and financial transactions with public bodies, as well as in highly specialised sectors, such as the gaming industry.

Public utilities: the firm’s partners are widely recognised as the leading Italian experts in public utilities. The firm provides clients with (i) influential opinions and advice; (ii) litigation expertise; and (iii) assistance with the structuring, documentation and completion of complex transactions.

Infrastructure: the firm represents clients in tender procedures or in the implementation of public contracts.

Malls and stores: within this sector, the firm’s practice has extensively covered litigations and transactions with local public bodies (municipalities and regional governments).