Bird & Bird > Rome, Italy > Firm Profile

Bird & Bird > The Legal 500 Rankings

Italy > Industry focus: Healthcare and life sciences Tier 1

Jointly led by Giovanni Galimberti and Massimiliano Mostardini, the team at Bird & Bird is well-known for its strong focus on pharma and life sciences-related patent and regulatory litigation. Galimberti is particularly adept at coordinating pan-European litigation for international healthcare clients, in addition to advising on trade marks and unfair competition issues, while Mostardini is recommended for his vast knowledge of clinical trials and licensing. Antonella De Gregori is a key contact for clients in the pharma and chemical sectors, and Claudia Ricciardi often advises on collaborative and sponsored research agreements. Evelina Marchesoni is well-known for her expertise in biotech patents and supplementary protection certificates, while Mauro Turrini‘s workload consists of pricing and reimbursement, and pharmacovigilance compliance issues. Simone Cadeddu stands out due to his exceptional knowledge of public procurement.

Italy > Industry focus: Manufacturing Tier 1

Bird & Bird offers a broad spectrum of services to domestic businesses and international corporations operating within the manufacturing industry and is particularly adept at handling corporate work such as transactions, financings, or restructuring. The firm has been particularly active in advising clients on public tender proceedings and IP protection, while practice head Stefano Silvestri has notable expertise in handling cross-border transactions with a focus on the automotive industry.

Italy > Industry focus: Retail Tier 1

Bird & Bird is a one-stop shop for domestic and international retail clients operating in Italy due to its range of services that span the entire manufacturing supply chain, consumer regulations, sustainability issues and IP protection. The team regularly acts for clients across Italy’s largest industries including pharmaceuticals, fashion and food. The retail group is comprised of a range of experts, with IP, competition and corporate specialists all contributing to ensure they provide an encompassing client service. Head of group Stefano Silvestri is a seasoned corporate lawyer with experience in handling international M&A. Silvestri co-leads the team alongside Giovanni Galimberti, who is an IP specialist.

Italy > Intellectual property

Bird & Bird remains a top choice for multinationals and large domestic companies from an assortment of sectors seeking assistance with contentious and non-contentious intellectual property rights matters. The flexible practice handles cross-border patent matters for innovation-heavy industries like tech and pharma, as well as brand protection, trade mark portfolio management and copyright advice for clients in the gaming, media, sports, luxury goods, and other consumer spaces, and has developed a strong reputation for its work protecting geographical indications for iconic foodstuffs like Prosecco. The sizeable team, which houses its own trade mark and patent filing practice, is led by two highly experienced IP practitioners: the ‘extremely skilled’ Giovanni Galimberti, and the ‘business-oriented’ Massimiliano Mostardini. Other key individuals include patent attorney Antonella De Gregori, whose work covers non-contentious IP matters in the pharma and chemicals sectors; trade secrets, patents, trade marks and designs specialist Edoardo Bàrbera; Fulvio Mellucci, whose broad practice touches issues relating to 3D trade marks; and Rita Tardiolo, who is a key contact for trademark issues and work concerning Protected Designations of Origin (PDO). Claudia Ricciardi is active in transactional IP assistance, particularly in the life sciences space, Elisabetta Bandera is experienced across a variety of IP issues, and Arturo Leone leads on copyright matters, an area where associate Daniele De Angelis is also appreciated.

Italy > Banking and finance: Bank regulatory Tier 2

Bird & Bird's banking and financial markets regulation practice covers investment services, compliance with capital requirements, investment fund-related marketing, financial products’ issuances, and market abuse. The group is also experienced in insurance and insurance distribution, fintech, sustainable finance regulation, anti-money laundering, derivatives, consumer credit, payment services, and e-money. Raimondo Maggiore is a highly-regarded financial regulation specialist; Stefano Febbi focuses on banking and financial services, including payments and insurance regulation; and Rossella Sansone advises on asset management and financial services. The team further includes Annapaola Schino, Diego Bobbo and Diego Cefaro.

Italy > Capital markets: Debt Tier 2

Bird & Bird expanded its practice through the July 2024 hire of financial services and consumer sector specialists Corrado Fiscale and Federico Del Monte from Hogan Lovells International LLP. Fiscale has a significant track record  in structuring and negotiating debt securities; while Del Monte regularly advises on capital markets transactions. The wider group is particularly focused on securitisation and structured finance, its expertise also covering bond issuances and covered bonds. Providing key support, Diego Del Principe and Pietro Castoldi both routinely lead structured finance deals, while Anita Lucchini is another active practitioner.

Italy > Compliance Tier 2

Bird & Bird's Italian team covers an array of compliance work, from regulatory compliance, Decree 231 matters, data protection and cybersecurity, to product compliance, antitrust, advertising pre-clearance, and consumer protection. Raimondo Maggiore assists with governance and internal control systems; Stefano Febbi's expertise includes regulatory compliance; and Simone Caddedu heads the firm’s Italian regulatory and administrative department. The practice further includes Rossella Sansone, an adviser to financial institutions on regulatory compliance; Federico Marini Balestra, who focuses on regulated sectors, such as TMT; and Mauro Turrini, who covers life sciences-related regulatory issues.

Italy > Industry focus: Food Tier 2

With a particular specialism in IP issues, Bird & Bird advises clients in the food and beverage sector on matters relating to trade marks, designs, copyrights and patents, both in contentious and non-contentious contexts. The firm is experienced in protection proceedings across Europe. In addition, the firm has full-service capabilities for its clients, with specialists in corporate and M&A, financing, data protection, employment and tax. Managing partner Giovanni Galimberti, a patent expert, and Massimiliano Mostardini, a veteran in the management of trade mark portfolios, lead the team.

Italy > Investment funds Tier 2

The banking and financial markets regulation practice in Bird & Bird's Italian  offices has significant investment funds expertise. The group advises national and international management companies and investors on real estate, credit and private equity alternative investment funds. The Milan-based group showcases Raimondo Maggiore, who assists Italian and international asset management companies with structuring alternative investment funds; and Rossella Sansone, an expert in asset management and financial services. The department further includes Giovanni Bevilacqua, who regularly acts for Italian and EU fund managers on real estate alternative investment fund structures.

Italy > Administrative and public law Tier 3

Drawing on the firm’s international network, Bird & Bird provides regulatory advice and representation in administrative litigation to its global roster of clients. The team’s practice spans the infrastructure, aviation, telecoms, aerospace and defence, life sciences, and media sectors. It advises on state aid, public procurement, environmental law and competition investigations. Simone Caddedu anchors the group, bringing extensive experienced before administrative courts and regulatory authorities. An active member of the team, Jacopo Nardelli boasts expertise in export controls, healthcare and environmental regulation.

Italy > Dispute resolution Tier 3

Bird & Bird excels in IP disputes for clients across the globe and is able to draw on its network of international offices to enhance its advice. The firm is also experienced in disputes concerning bribery, corruption, money laundering and administrative sanctions. The firm regularly advises clients before arbitration. Practice head Giovanni Galimberti is an IP specialist, advising on patent, trade mark and trade secrets disputes. Edoardo Lombardi supports clients in the energy, utilities, transport and sport sectors. Giovanni Piazza focuses on commercial litigation, arbitration and bankruptcy law.

Italy > Employment Tier 3

‘With a 360º perspective’, Bird & Bird covers all aspects of employment law issues, whether contentious or non-contentious. The team is regularly instructed on compensation issues, disciplinaries, collective redundancies and transfers of undertakings. The firm is well-poised to support clients in international matters, with experts across Europe, Africa, Asia and North America. It also has particular experience in the tech, life sciences, travel and retail sectors. The team is led from Milan by Amedeo Rampolla, an expert on whistleblowing and internal investigations, and Cristiano Pambianchi, who advises on litigation and arbitration cases.

Italy > Industry focus: Energy Tier 3

Commended for its ‘great experience and know-how’, Bird & Bird is overseen by Pierpaolo Mastromarini. Mastromarini is knowledgeable of project finance transactions, Simone Caddedu and Jacopo Nardelli enjoy a strong track record before the administrative courts, while Andrea Semmola is often engaged in renewable energy matters. Gaetano Salvioli is another key team member.

Italy > Industry focus: Luxury goods Tier 3

Utilising an interdepartmental team of experts, Bird & Bird advises luxury fashion retailers, with particular strength in IP matters. The firm is well-versed in the management of multi-jurisdictional trade mark portfolios. It is also experienced in issues surrounding consumer law as well as tech affecting the retail sector. The ‘outstanding’ Massimiliano Mostardini leads the team alongside Rita Tardiolo, experienced before the Italian Competition Authority and Italian Advertising Standards Authority, and Giovanni Galimberti, who advises on patents, trade marks and copyright issues.

Italy > Industry focus: TMT Tier 3

Split between Milan and Rome, the team at Bird & Bird advises its clients on IP, corporate, competition and compliance matters. The team is well-versed in AI, cloud services, cybersecurity, mobile payments and issues surrounding the Internet of Things. Leading from Milan, Massimiliano Mostardini and Giovanni Galimberti focus on IP law advice. The Rome-based practice heads are EU and competition specialist Federico Marini Balestra and regulatory expert Simone Caddedu. Stefano Silvestri provides corporate support from Milan.

Italy > Capital markets: Equity Tier 4

Bird & Bird‘s group comprises specialists in corporate governance, IPOs, public takeovers, rights issues, and secondary issues for publicly listed companies. The team is jointly led by Federico Valle, who has notable equity capital markets experience, and Alberto Salvadè, who also heads up the firm’s corporate group in Italy.

Italy > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 4

The corporate practice at Bird & Bird covers commercial and company law, M&A, private equity, venture capital, restructuring, joint ventures, and corporate governance. Alberto Salvadè heads the corporate department; Stefano Silvestri is an experienced corporate and commercial deal lawyer; and Edoardo Courir‘s practice includes extraordinary transactions. Giovanni Gazzaniga joined the team from A&O Shearman in October 2024.

Italy > Data privacy and data protection Tier 4

Bird & Bird‘s team regularly works with the firm’s international network in relation to high-profile clients that collect and transfer large quantities of sensitive data. The group is co-led by Adriano D’Ottavio, who is experienced in managing data breaches and security incidents, and data protection and IT specialist Debora Stella.

Italy > EU and competition law Tier 4

Bird & Bird is widely versed in competition matters, advising on antitrust disputes, cartel investigations, anti-competitive agreements, merger control and compliance matters. The firm is particularly skilled in IP-related antitrust issues, appearing before authorities over FRAND licensing and SEPs. Federico Marini Balestra, in addition to heading the practice, focuses on antitrust and administrative litigation in the TMT sector. Nicola Ceraolo brings knowledge of the utilities and energy sector to the team.

Italy > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 4

Bird & Bird specialises in advising licensed insolvency practitioners, lenders and trade creditors on a range of in- and out-of-court matters, including turn-around plans, restructuring agreements, compositions with creditors, negotiated compositions and debt trading. The firm can also draw on its specialists in corporate, tax, employment and real estate law to enhance its advice. The team is led by Alberto Salvadè, who advises on distressed asset purchases.

Italy > Banking and finance: Borrower side Tier 5

Bird & Bird's Italy team advises developers, investors, sponsors, promoters, public entities and contractors on significant financing and refinancings, particularly infrastructure and renewable energy matters. Energy and utilities sector specialist Pierpaolo Mastromarini heads the project finance offering from Rome, where Michele Arruzzolo's banking and finance practice covers project finance.

Italy > Banking and finance: lender or arranger side Tier 5

Specialised in structured finance transactions on a project financing basis, Bird & Bird's Italy practice has significant experience in energy-related financings and refinancings, particularly in relation to public and private works. Leading the group from Rome, Pierpaolo Mastromarini focuses on energy and utilities-related matters. The department further includes Michele Arruzzolo.

Italy > Real estate and construction Tier 5

‘Able to find specific solutions in a timely manner’, the team at Bird & Bird draws on experts from its numerous departments to enhance its advice, with specialists in corporate, finance, regulatory, public and tax law. The team is particularly skilled in the structuring of investment vehicles. Splitting her time between Milan and Rome, Antonella Ceschi leads the team and specialises in the development of retail, logistics and hotel assets.

Italy > Tax Tier 5

Bird & Bird’s tax department assists individuals and private companies as well as shareholders with tax planning, provision and compliance. The group also handles tax disputes and transfer pricing. Gaetano Salvioli leads the firm’s tax practice from Milan, where Giuliana Polacco is a tax disputes specialist.

Italy > Private equity