Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe

Orrick Italy is one of the leading international firms active in the Italian market.

With +120 professionals, some of which are dual qualified in UK and US, our Italian team work side by side with clients in achieving their business goals. Based in Milan and Rome, our lawyers provide a fully cross-practice and cross-border assistance in several practice areas, also leveraging on the Orrick network, to support clients’ needs.

The firm: Founded in San Francisco 150 years ago, Orrick is a leading global law firm with a particular focus on serving companies in the technology, energy, infrastructure and financial sectors. The firm is recognised worldwide for delivering the highest quality, commercially oriented legal advice.

Corporate, M&A and private equity: Orrick’s corporate team advises leading Italian and multinational companies on domestic and cross-border acquisitions, divestments, mergers and de-mergers. Our professionals also provide domestic and global funds with legal assistance in relation to investment and divestment transactions concerning Italian companies. Furthermore, we assist these companies as investment and divestment targets.

Our professionals offer a distinctive combination of local insight, as well as global reach across Europe, Asia and the U.S., in developing innovative techniques to successfully structure complex domestic and cross-border transactions.

In 2019, Orrick Italy has been recognized by Mergermarket as the 2° most active international law firm in Italy, ranking in the top 10 in ltaly by M&A deal count . Moreover, in 2019 Orrick Italy is recognized by Refinitiv as the most active international law firm in Italy, ranking 3 for Mid-Market M&A deal number.

Orrick’s Italian lawyers regularly advise leading Italian and international companies in the development of their business in Italy. Specifically, we provide assistance on governance structures, shareholders’ agreements, corporate contracts and day-by-day assistance.

Corporate governance, compliance programs and privacy: Our Italian team truly embodies the innovation mindset that is a key value to Orrick globally. We have developed cutting-edge technology-based services in order to provide our clients with assistance on all their governance, risk management and compliance needs. With a truly integrated approach, we helped +130 companies and financial institutions. on the design, implementation and maintenance of compliance programs to prevent corporate crimes (Legislative Decree 231). Furthermore, our lawyers have developed effective legal solutions to help dozens of clients address privacy and data protection compliance requirements according to the GDPR.

In a constantly evolving ecosystem, our team has gained specific expertise on data privacy, supporting clients in handling cyber incidents across industry sectors, and conducting analysis on compliance of apps managing personal data. We developed an in-house first-of-its-kind AI-powered tool supporting DPOs in the planning and implementation of their duties. Our lawyers routinely act as Data Protection Officer or supports DPOs in the effective application of laws protecting individuals’ personal data.

Orrick Italy has an extensive experience developing and enhancing global anti-bribery policies, conducting risk assessments and developing controls to detect and prevent corruption. Our team has been engaged by Italian companies running their business throughout the world to develop compliance programs also addressing FCPA and UK Bribery-related risks. Our team members serve as Chairpersons or members of around 70 internal supervisory body.

Banking and finance: With +40 lawyers, Orrick has a prolific finance department, focused on highly sophisticated transactions in the banking and finance industry. We assist major banks, funds and large corporate in securitisation, covered bonds and NPEs, debt capital markets, acquisition finance, project finance and PPP.

Our professionals pioneered the financial legal business in Italy and are experienced on the most innovative and ground-breaking transactions.

We are recognized in the market for our expertise and client-focused approach and regularly act on the biggest and most high-profile deals. We also provide our clients with bespoke advisory assistance on a wide range of products and areas in the banking and finance industry.

The team includes English and US qualified lawyers who are based in Italy, speak fluent Italian and are able to advise our Italian clients on international products as well as help steer our international clients through the Italian market. We also offer in-house expertise in regulatory and taxation aspects allowing us to address our clients’ needs on a 360° basis.

Energy and infrastructure: Energy is a core sector focus of Orrick globally and this is reflected in the depth of our practice in Italy. Our team is at the forefront of the Italian energy and renewables market. We represent sponsors, investors and energy operators, as well as large banks that are routinely active in energy sector financings.

Our lawyers provide clients with assistance in the following areas:

• M&A and JV agreements within the renewable energy market (with a specific expertise on solar and wind), including through growing private equity investment.
• Financing/refinancing of existing renewable energy portfolios (bonds or long-term loans)
• Project development: we are heavily involved in the development of unsubsidised projects, assisting clients on all aspects (including with respect to regulatory and project contracts)
• Green bonds

We are routinely involved to design and implement market-first transactions. In 2019, we acted on the first-of-its-kind securitization of performing and non-performing energy credits, on the first ever financing of a photovoltaic plant not supported by state subsidies in Italy and on the first public lighting greenfield project bond in Italy.

Technology and innovation: As one of the most active global law firms serving technology leaders, Orrick offers a comprehensive platform for the tech community – from the most innovative disruptors to multinational leaders.

Our Italian tech team advises on the most innovative transactions in the market and helps Italian and foreign companies at all stages of growth. Our lawyers represent many successful tech entrepreneurs, start-ups with new technology platforms, VC funds investing into tech companies, and major banks, telecoms, infrastructure and insurance companies with tech needs. We provide cross-jurisdictional assistance on early and late-stage financings, flips and mergers and acquisitions, and we advise venture capital firms in their investments and exits.

Our tech lawyers are recognized for their business acumen, and the deep knowledge of innovative financial products and business strategies

We advise FinTech operators on structuring and implementing new technologies for contracts and remote operations for the subscription of financial services, peer-to-peer payment platforms, instant-payment related services, robo-advisory services, lending and crowdfunding platforms for individuals and SMEs, wealth and asset management services, information services on customer accounts.