Herbert Smith Freehills LLP

Energy & infrastructure

Francesca leads the Italian energy and infrastructure practice at Herbert Smith Freehills.

Her extensive knowledge of the energy and infrastructure sector is based on nearly 20 years of experience advising Italian and multinational energy companies, international sponsors, project developers, private equity funds and leading investment banks on some of the most innovative and complex transactions in the renewables space, conventional power, oil and gas (including LNG), energy efficiency, electric mobility and various types of infrastructure projects.

Her practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, the development of projects and infrastructures, industry contracts and regulatory matters, including ESG, MiFID, EMIR, MAR, REMIT, TPA exemptions. She also advises on competition, foreign direct investment and consumer protection issues.

Recognised as one of Italy's energy & infra experts by the main legal directories, Francesca is a frequent speaker on various energy-related topics and a contributor to legal publications. She also lectures on energy and competition law.

Francesca has been recognized with several prestigious awards throughout her career, including:

"Lawyer of the Year - Energy Efficiency" at the 2024 Energy Awards by Legalcommunity. "Lawyer of the Year - LNG" at the 2023 Energy Awards by Legalcommunity. "Energy Lawyer of the Year" for 2021 and 2020 at the Forty-under-40 Awards by Legalcommunity. "Lawyer of the Year - Oil & Gas" at the 2021 Top Legal Industry Awards. "Lawyer of the Year - Renewables" at the 2020 Top Legal Industry Awards.

Italian and English.

Francesca graduated from the University of Napoli – Federico II (magna cum laude) and holds an LL.M. from the King's College London (in competition law).