Linklaters LLP

Capital Markets practice

Francesco is a Corporate Counsel based in Milan, specializing in equity capital markets (ECM) and mergers and acquisitions (M&A), with a particular focus on public M&A, corporate governance, and listing rules-driven transactions.

In the ECM sector, Francesco regularly advises clients on the entire range of ECM transactions, including initial public offerings (IPOs), secondary offerings, rights issues, accelerated bookbuilding offerings (ABBs), private placements, and equity-linked transactions (such as convertible and exchangeable bonds).

Within the M&A arena, he has developed a specialization in takeovers (inclusive of hostile/unsolicited bids), public tender offers (mandatory, voluntary, or partial), private investments in public equity (PIPEs), as well as business combinations (including de-SPAC transactions), mergers, spin-offs and corporate reorganizations involving publicly listed entities.

Additionally, Francesco provides ongoing advice to both listed and private companies on corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and general corporate law matters.

His clientele includes investment banks, private equity firms, corporates, and other key stakeholders (such as, board members). Francesco is recognized in several legal directories, including Chambers Global, Chambers Europe and The Legal500, where clients praised his “right mix of subject matter competence, gravitas and empathy to guide clients and counterparties towards mutually acceptable compromises”, as well as his technical skills, positive attitude, responsiveness, and client focus.

Prior to joining Linklaters, Francesco started his career at a leading Italian law firm, contributing to corporate and capital market transactions, including several listings on the AIM Italia (now, Euronext Growth Milan).

His tenure included a secondment to the legal department of IDeA FIMIT SGR S.p.A. (now DeA Capital Real Estate SGR S.p.A.), where he broadened his experience in general corporate assistance and in dealing with the Italian regulators (CONSOB and Bank of Italy).

May 2024 to present: Counsel, Capital Markets, Linklaters, Milan

2014 to April 2024: Managing Associate, Capital Markets, Linklaters, Milan

2010-2014: Associate, Banking & Finance – Restructuring & Turnaround, NCTM – Studio Legale Associato, Milan

January-July 2013: Secondee, IDeA FIMIT SGR S.p.A., Rome

Francesco speaks Italian, English and Spanish

Francesco was admitted to the Italian Bar Association in 2013.

October 2012: Master in Domestic and International Banking Law, Executive Master, IPSOA – Scuola di Formazione (Wolters Kluwer Group), Milan (Italy)

October 2010: Juris Doctor (magna cum laude), and obtained his undergraduate degree in law (magna cum laude) from Università Commerciale “Luigi Bocconi” (Milan – Italy).

August-December 2009: Exchange Programme semester at Universidad de Buenos Aires (Argentina).

October 2008: Bachelor of Arts in Law (magna cum laude), Università Commerciale “Luigi Bocconi”, Milan (Italy)

September 2007-February 2008: Exchange Programme (Erasmus Scholarship), ESADE – Facultad de Derecho – Barcelona (Spain)

Francesco has been actively involved in many pro bono initiatives of Linklaters, including co-authoring the “Guide for General Counsel on Corporate Sustainability” (Version 2.0), promoted by United Nations Global Compact.

Additionally, Francesco is a co-founder of a pro-bono cooperative (cooperativa sociale) focused on the social rehabilitation of minors who are either serving detention measures or facing challenges.

Furthermore, Francesco frequently conducts seminars and presentations on Equity Capital Markets (ECM) and Public Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) for clients and financial advisors.