The dispute resolution practice at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP is frequently trusted by clients to handle domestic and international disputes. Its team members are involved in matters across key industries, including TMT, construction and energy. The team is headed by Giuseppe Scassellati-Sforzolini, Ferdinando Emanuele and Carlo Santoro. Scassellati-Sforzolini, along with Pietro Fioruzzi, also leads the white-collar crime practice, which acts for clients in internal investigations and represents corporations and senior managers in criminal, regulatory and commercial matters.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Carlo Santoro and his team are quick, very strong and reliable. They always advise in the best interests of the business.’

  • ‘Extraordinary support on very complex topics involving rules and regulations of other small countries thanks to their incredible network all over the world. Very good support in transnational and international litigation.’

  • ‘Their insight and attention to detail is exceptional, with breadth of experience across practices and continents.’

  • ‘Great global expertise and footprint. Very thorough and detail-oriented. Excellent international arbitration practice.’

  • 'The firm is the first choice when faced with complex and high-value matters.’

  • ‘Roberto Argeri is one of the pillars of Cleary's dispute litigation practice in Italy.'

  • ‘Francesca Gesualdi is an outstanding litigator with great judgement.'

Key clients

  • Yong Hong Li
  • A2A
  • IVECO and CNH Italia
  • Dexia Crediop and Intesa SanPaolo
  • ArcelorMittal
  • Acciaierie d’Italia
  • A.S. Roma
  • Vivendi
  • Eni
  • Cedacri

Work highlights

  • Representing Mr. Yong Hog Li, a Chinese tycoon and former owner of the Italian football team AC Milan, in a complex dispute against the fund Elliott, following Mr. Li’s removal as the controlling shareholder of AC Milan.
  • Represented A2A in a decision published on January 16, 2023, in which the Court of Milan declared as inadmissible, the class action brought by one of Edison’s minority shareholders.
  • Representing Smurfit Kappa, one of the leading providers of paper-based packaging, in the follow-on litigation resulting from a 2019 decision of the Italian Competition Authority sanctioning two cartel agreements purportedly distorting competition.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame
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Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
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Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Giuseppe Scassellati-Sforzolini, Ferdinando Emanuele, Carlo Santoro, Pietro Fioruzzi

Other key lawyers

Roberto Argeri, Francesca Gesualdi