Zunarelli – Studio Legale Associato

The firm: The firm was founded nearly three decades ago by Stefano Zunarelli, who is widely recognised as one the most renowned experts in the field of transportation, air and maritime law. The firm is committed to offering clients a full range of legal services. Thanks to a rapid growth in the number of professionals with expertise in different practice areas, the firm has quickly become one of the leading firms not only in maritime and transportation law, but also in litigation and arbitration, administrative, commercial, corporate and international law. Moreover, in order to ensure geographical proximity and direct presence in the regional areas of clients, over the years the firm has opened several branches throughout Italy, two overseas offices in China and Mozambique and has formed numerous friendships with major foreign law firms in other countries.

The wide network of offices developed in Italy allows foreign clients to benefit from highly qualified assistance by professionals who are deeply rooted in the related socio-economic background, also in places where international firms do not have a directly managed office.

Clients include domestic, EU and international companies, ranging from major corporations to SMEs, which operate in various sectors including: transportation; real estate; renewable energy; and international trade.

Areas of practice: Besides being one of the leading law firms in Europe in the field of maritime and transportation law, the firm has been operating for decades in all sectors connected with the activity of enterprises.

Over the years the firm has been providing clients with legal advice and representation in Italian, EU and international courts and arbitration proceedings. The firm’s legal services in the field of litigation range from advice on pre-litigation strategies to litigation handling in all its areas of practice.

With regard to the transportation sector, the firm advises: shipping companies; airlines; land and multimodal carriers; logistics operators; freight forwarders; terminal operators; port companies; airport management companies; port authorities; handling operators; public transport operators; shipyards; marinas and tour operators on both commercial and administrative issues. The firm assists clients in the drafting of contracts and advises on all legal issues concerning transportation by land, sea and air, providing them with out-of-court and in-court representation, both in Italy and abroad.

With reference to corporate and commercial law, the firm deals with all aspects connected with the planning of corporate operations, including: M&A; due diligence; negotiation with financial corporations; support in order to comply with the requirements following the closing and advice during the complex phase of company succession. The firm assists clients in the negotiation and drawing up of commercial contracts and advises them with regard to their relationship with customers and suppliers. It also advises on bankruptcy matters.

The administrative law team has extensive expertise both in advising companies, public bodies and institutions on administrative issues and fulfilments, and in safeguarding their interests in court, before the regional administrative courts and the Italian Council of State. The firm mainly deals with all aspects related to infrastructures and transportation and with all issues regarding project financing, drafting of or appealing against calls for tender, award of public procurements, as well as all matters connected with the performance of contracts signed with public bodies, grants, licenses, authorisations, appeals against orders of seizure and forfeiture of vehicles.