The Italy banking and finance group at Watson Farley & Williams has significant experience in the energy, transport and infrastructure sectors. Its coverage encompasses project, export, receivables, asset, acquisition, and real estate finance. Mario D’Ovidio advises on project and export credit agency finance transactions, while Furio Samela specialises in shipping financings.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Capable of promptly forming a multidisciplinary and multi-jurisdictional team to provide banks with comprehensive and structured advice. All at very competitive rates.’

  • ‘Great Team. Very high level of skill, flexibility, understanding and proactivity. ’

  • ‘One of the biggest advantages of WFW is their international presence across Europe, but in particular their knowledge of emerging markets.’

  • ‘Mario D'Ovidio demonstrates outstanding coordination and leadership skills, while providing sophisticated advice that is highly sensitive to banks’ internal and commercial needs.’

  • ‘Mario D'Ovidio is highly competent, flexible and available.’

  • ‘Matteo Trabacchin’s diligence and availability are excellent.’

  • ‘Matteo Trabacchin’s management of facility agreements is remarkable, ensuring that all risks are covered from the banking side.’

Key clients

  • CACIB
  • SACE
  • SIMEST
  • Unicredit
  • Crédit Agricole Italia
  • Intesa Sanpaolo
  • Cassa Depositi e Prestiti
  • BPER Banca
  • Banca Popolare di Sondrio
  • Banco BPM

Work highlights

  • Advised Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank on $3.92bn loan facilities, which were granted to Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings for the acquisition of four cruise vessels.
  • Advised a syndicate of ten banks on a milestone multi-currency of up-to €1.3bn green financing, which was granted to Recurrent Energy for the construction and development of renewable energy projects across Europe.
  • Advised Banco BPM on a €25m loan granted to Italian airline SkyAlps to finance the purchase and line-up of eight low-emission turboprop aircrafts.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Mario D’Ovidio, Furio Samela

Other key lawyers

Michele Autuori, Matteo Trabacchin