Europe - Italy

Watson Farley & Williams LLP

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Studio Legale Associato a Watson Farley & Williams' banking and finance team advises on the firm’s core sectors, namely energy, transport, infrastructure and real estate. Mario D’Ovidio specialises in energy and infrastructure sector-related project finance; and shipping specialist Furio Samela assists with financings, loan agreements and security packages.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘In recent years, the firm has consolidated its leadership in Italy in the export finance and project finance spaces (in particular energy and shipping).'

  • 'One of the main strengths of WFW (also compared with other firms) is the continuous involvement of senior members throughout the deal.’

  • ‘The finance team is truly at a high level. Consistently delivers excellent solutions.'

  • 'Overall, they stand out for their technical skills, availability and collaboration.'

  • 'The assistance is innovative from both technological and contractual perspectives.'

  • ‘Mario D'Ovidio is a well-reputed banking lawyer who is recognised for providing sophisticated legal advice and resolves complex situations.'

  • ‘Mario D'Ovidio can leverage a brilliant team composed of talented junior lawyers.'

  • ‘Matteo Trabacchin is an outstanding professional, whose technical skills in finance are impressive. He provides the best solution to every matter. He’s also reliable, perceptive and very understanding of clients' concerns.’

Key clients

  • HSBC Bank
  • Intesa Sanpaolo
  • SACE
  • Bayerische Landesbank
  • Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank
  • Illimity Bank
  • Banco BPM
  • ICCREA Banca – Istituto Centrale del Credito Cooperativo
  • Deutsche Bank
  • IDeA CCRII Fund
  • The Export-Import Bank of China (Cexim)

Work highlights

  • Advised illimity Bank on two loans granted to Kalypso Compagnia di Navigazione to finance the acquisition of a container ship.
  • Advised HSBC Bank Middle East and HSBC Bank on a $300m push facility (guaranteed by the Italian Export Credit Agency) for the Oil and Gas Holding Company B.S.C.
  • Advised Bayerische Landesbank on a €15m multi-tranche loan facility made available to BEE Piemonte.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Mario D’Ovidio, Furio Samela

Other key lawyers

Michele Autuori, Matteo Trabacchin, Amelia Garavaglia