A renowned Italian banking law practice for LBOs, and public bid and takeover financings, BonelliErede‘s sizeable team covers acquisition, corporate, property and structured finance, along with related regulatory issues. The group’s principal figures are Emanuela Da Rin, an expert in real estate, corporate and acquisition finance, and distressed asset-related operations; loan deal specialist Giuseppe Sacchi Lodispoto; and energy and ecological transition focus team leader Catia Tomasetti. Other names to note are project finance expert Giorgio Frasca and Gabriele Malgeri, along with Antonio La Porta, Giovanni Battaglia (who was promoted to partner in January 2024) and Federico Cocito.

Chiomenti‘s team acts for major corporations on acquisition, corporate and real estate finance, as well as refinancing. Gregorio Consoli is the firm’s finance and regulated entities head; Gianrico Giannesi advises both asset managers and investment funds; Giorgio Cappelli routinely assists with high-end financial transactions; Marco Cerritelli predominantly focuses on transport, healthcare and sport-related assets; Antonio Tavella brings expertise in corporate finance; and Giulia Battaglia specialises in structuring complex transactions. Other key figures are Riccardo Rossi, who maintains a broad finance practice, and counsel Andrea Martino.

Mandated by large domestic and international groups, Clifford Chance's Milan-based Italy group handles high-stakes finance transactions, including acquisition finance, syndicated loans, export finance and debt restructuring deals. The team is headed up by longstanding banking and finance expert Giuseppe De Palma. Charles Adams is a renowned specialist in Italian and cross-border banking work. The practice also features leveraged finance and restructuring practitioner Ferdinando Poscio, along with Francesca Cuzzocrea, who was promoted to senior counsel in May 2023. Filippo Tassoni, Chiara Commis and Paolo Ballerini are also key team members.

‘Wholeheartedly recommended to anyone seeking top-tier legal counsel in the banking and finance sector’, Gianni & Origoni‘s team is experienced in refinancing, real estate financing, ESG-linked deals, acquisition finance and general corporate operations. The team is jointly headed by financing transaction expert Matteo Bragantini; Giuseppe De Simone, who advises private equity funds and companies on domestic and cross-border deals; and corporate and project financing specialist Ottaviano Sanseverino. The team also features Eduardo Fiordiliso, Matteo Gotti, Arrigo Arrigoni, Ilaria Laureti and Piergiorgio Picardi, as well as Claudia Lami and Maria Panetta.

Legance - Avvocati Associati's banking and finance group advises some of the most significant Italian and foreign financial and industrial groups. Co-leading the group are energy and infrastructure project financing expert Monica Colombera, and structured finance specialist Andrea Giannelli. Also integral to the practice are project finance practitioners Filippo Ruffato, Giovanni Scirocco and Antonio Palazzolo, along with Tommaso Bernasconi, Luca Autuori, Antonio Matino and Antonio Siciliano. The group further features Emanuele Artuso and Valeria Viti, as well as Giuseppe D’Amore and Ilaria Rosa. Simone Ambrogi was promoted to partner in June 2023.

Linklaters Studio Legale Associato' borrower-side banking and finance team is consistently sought out to advise on high-end domestic and international finance deals, including acquisition, leveraged and syndicated finance. Other areas of strength range from real estate finance and financial structuring to restructuring, and asset and export finance. Heading the firm’s Italian banking and finance group, Andrea Arosio is an acquisition and leveraged finance specialist, while Francesco Faldi has significant restructuring and insolvency experience. The practice also features Ettore Consalvi, Alessandra Ortelli, Marco Carrieri and Lilia Lani. Diego Esposito was promoted to partner in May 2023.

White & Case (Europe) LLP‘s Milan-based team acts across the entire spectrum of finance products, including high-stakes leveraged financing transactions. Giuseppe Barra Caracciolo‘s practice includes general lending, real estate and leverage finance, and debt restructuring; Iacopo Canino focuses on leveraged finance; Gianluca Fanti‘s experience includes real estate finance. Other key names to note are finance transactions specialist Francesco Scebba and corporate, leverage and acquisition finance practitioner Bianca Caruso, along with Tiziana Germinario and Stefano Bellani.

Advising companies, private equity investors and alternative investment managers, the work of A&O Shearman's team stand outs for complex financing deals fusing banking, capital markets or structured finance aspects. Other major areas are real estate financing and funding transactions, as well as infrastructure and energy financings. Leading the banking team in Italy, Stefano Sennhauser has longstanding experience in acquisition finance, corporate loans, real estate finance, debt restructuring and structured finance; Pietro Scarfone and Luca Maffia  have ‘indisputable expertise'; and Frederic Demeulenaere heads the Milan-based UK banking law team.

With an ‘outstanding track record', Ashurst's Milan team has a strong reputation for project, acquisition and leverage finance, as well as hybrid, real estate and development financings. Additional key areas are telecoms and infrastructure-related finance, corporate lending, trade finance, asset finance and receivables finance. With longstanding experience in advising borrowers on a range of banking and finance deals, Mario Lisanti heads the Italian banking team, which includes energy and infrastructure head Carloandrea Meacci, project financing expert Umberto Antonelli and experienced finance practitioner Luca Maria Chieffo.

The Italian banking and finance practice at Dentons covers commercial lending deals, including leveraged, real estate and corporate finance, as well as refinancing, fund financing and private debt. The team additionally assists with high-end project and structured finance transactions. Italy and Europe banking and finance head Alessandro Fosco Fagotto is a highly-regarded structured finance specialist; and Giovanni Diotallevi focuses predominantly on the infrastructure, transportation, energy, telecoms and water sectors. The group further includes experienced real estate finance advisor Pierandrea Bonali and energy and infrastructure project financing expert Luigi Costa.

DLA Piper draws on the bench strength experts in leveraged and corporate lending, and is consistently involved in major syndicated lending deals. Other notable areas are real estate and project finance, as well as alternative financing. Luciano Morello heads up the team, which includes senior partner Antonio Lombardo; acquisition and project finance specialist Federico Zucconi Galli Fonseca; international project finance practitioner Giovanni Ragnoni Bosco Lucarelli; and Italy banking and financial services head Ugo Calò. Other key figures are Giuseppe Mele, Giampiero Priori, Claudio D’Alia, Riccardo Pagotto and Pietro Paolo D’Ippolito.

Latham & Watkins LLP's Milan-based lawyers maintain active practices across acquisition finance, corporate lending, leveraged finance and debt restructuring. With ‘distinctive leadership skills and the ability to manage clients’ expectations', finance specialist Marcello Bragliani, who advises borrowers on leveraged finance and bank and bond transactions, heads up the Italian finance department. Antongiulio Scialpi acts throughout all finance stages, from the initial structuring phases to the negotiation of financing agreements and closing. Alessia De Coppi routinely structures and executes complex financings on behalf of private equity firms and major companies.

Molinari Agostinelli‘s banking and finance team covers leveraged, acquisition, corporate and real estate finance. It also draws on the strength of specialists in structured finance and distressed lending, along with complex disposals and acquisitions have UTP and NPL portfolios. The team is led by Alessandro Fontana, who has longstanding banking and finance sector experience. Also key to the team is domestic and cross-border deal specialist Marco Leonardi and Andrea Taurozzi. Since publication, Riccardo Agostinelli and Daniele Migliarucci left the firm.

In January 2024, Pedersoli Studio Legale and Gattai, Minoli, Partners merged to become PedersoliGattai, which acts for financial sponsors and corporations on a full range of financing and lending deals. Gaetano Carrello focuses on finance, debt capital markets, restructuring and real estate; Lorenzo Vernetti is a specialist in banking, acquisition and leveraged finance; Maura Magioncalda acts for private equity houses and industrial groups on a range of financing transactions; and Emanuela Campari Bernacchi is the structured finance head. Other active advisers include Gian Luca Coggiola, Nicola Gaglione, Consuelo Citterio and Alessandra De Cantellis.

ADVANT Nctm's banking and finance department focuses primarily on project, acquisition and leveraged financing, as well as corporate and real estate finance. Other notable areas are shipping finance, debt restructuring, and green and sustainable finance. Heading up the team, Stefano Padovani routinely advises on extraordinary transactions; Eugenio Siragusa is a project finance expert; and Giovanni de’ Capitani di Vimercate acts for companies and private equity funds on major financings.

Gatti Pavesi Bianchi Ludovici‘s finance practice advises on a range of borrower-side financing arrangements, including leveraged financing and structured finance. The team is co-headed by Marc-Alexandre Courtejoie, who is experienced in lending and structured finance transactions, including special situations, private debt, and leveraged and project finance; and Andrea Limongelli, an expert in banking and finance, as well as debt restructuring. Stefano Motta and Carolina Caslini are also active practitioners of note. Andrea Novarese joined the team from White & Case (Europe) LLP in May 2024.

Hogan Lovells International LLP's Milan-based banking and loan finance practice covers leverage, acquisition, real estate and asset finance, along with syndicated lending, and trade and commodity finance. The team is co-led by Carlo Massini, who advises borrowers and investors on a range of financing transactions; and Italy business restructuring and insolvency practice head, Mauro Saccani, an April 2023 recruit from Latham & Watkins LLP. In a further boost to the team, Patrizio Messina and Alessandro Accrocca joined the firm from Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe in February 2024.

Simmons & Simmons' Milan-based team is experienced in both leveraged and acquisition financing; it routinely advises on major deals involving alternative lenders, including through private placements of bonds. Jointly leading the practice, Davide D’Affronto is an adviser to private equity funds, investors and corporations; and Nicholas Lasagna advises on banking and finance deals (under both English and Italian law). Other names to note are Alessandro Elisio and Maria Ilaria Griffo.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton's borrower-side practice in Italy features leveraged finance specialist Carlo de Vito Piscicelli, who divides his time between the firm’s London and Milan offices. Highlights for Piscicelli, who ‘shows a detailed and nuanced understanding of market practices', include advising ArcelorMittal on its €5.5bn sustainability-linked revolving facility.

Acting for borrowers and investment funds, Greenberg Traurig Santa Maria‘s Milan-based team advises on complex cross-border financings. Heading the finance practice in Italy, Corrado Angelelli‘s practice covers corporate, leveraged and structured finance, along with restructuring; and Alessio Gerhart Ruvolo‘s wide-ranging workload includes sustainable and impact finance issues. Since publication, Riccardo Agostinelli and Daniele Migliarucci joined the firm from Molinari Agostinelli.

Orsingher Ortu – Avvocati Associati's team comprises experts in acquisition and real estate financing, along with corporate finance and restructuring. Manfredi Leanza advises companies on domestic and cross-border financing transactions; Giovanni Nicchiniello is an experienced corporate finance practitioner; Cosimo Paszkowski assists with finance deals.

Osborne Clarke's Milan office routinely acts for investment funds and private equity houses on the acquisition financing for both companies and real estate assets. Andrea Pinto's practice covers real estate, project and acquisition finance, along with restructuring, while Antonio Fugaldi remains ‘a trusted adviser for Italian law matters'.

Pavia e Ansaldo's banking and finance team is particularly active in mid-market work, including acquisition, real estate and healthcare-related financings. Mario Di Giulio advises on structured finance, along with infrastructure and sustainable project financings in East Africa, while banking and finance is also a core area for Roberto Zanchi.

Cappelli Riolo Calderaro Crisostomo Del Din & Partners has a significant track record in advising domestic and international corporations and groups on banking law and banking transactions. The team is co-led by structured finance expert Paolo Calderaro and Alberto Del Din, who has the ‘ability to think outside the box and find innovative solutions'.

Studio Professionale Associato a Baker & McKenzie's team advises on syndicated bank financing, bonds, and acquisition and project finance. It also handles debt restructuring. The practice of Milan-based department head Alberto Fornari focuses on general, trade and structured finance, while Giorgio Telarico in Rome predominantly advises on project finance deals.

Watson Farley & Williams' banking and finance team focuses on the firm’s core industry sectors, namely infrastructure, real estate, energy (including renewables and natural resources) and transport (encompassing maritime, aviation and rail). Co-heading the group are project finance specialist Mario D’Ovidio and shipping financing expert Furio Samela.

Active in corporate, real estate and project-related structured finance deals, Bird & Bird‘s Italy team advises development companies, sponsors, public entities and contractors on infrastructure-related financings and refinancings. Pierpaolo Mastromarini is an energy and utilities sector expert, while Michele Arruzzolo specialises in project finance.

CBA Studio Legale e Tributario draws on the strength of experts in shipping, real estate, project and structured finance transactions, including LBOs. The banking, finance and insurance group is led by experienced partner Francesco Dialti. Daniela Sorgato routinely acts for major banking and finance clients.

CMS' Italy team advises on borrower-side financings and refinancings, along with acquisition finance and debt restructuring deals. Leading the team, Paolo Bonolis is a longstanding banking and finance specialist, who acts for clients from the investment services, insolvency, shipping and private equity sectors. Domenico Gaudiello is the public finance department head.

Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP's Italy banking and finance practice is headed up by Alfonso de Marco, who advises on banking and real estate matters, structured finance and project financing. Other active advisers include financial and bankruptcy lawyer Giovanni Sagramoso, Filippo Bianchi and Sergio Esposito Farber.

Eversheds Sutherland Associazione Professionale's Milan-based team covers NPL transactions, along with project, real estate, acquisition and aviation finance. Practice head Umberto Mauro specialises in aviation finance, while Daniela Viaggio's experience includes acting for Italian and international sponsors on major project finance transactions. Ubaldo Caracino is another key name.

Giovannelli e Associati Studio Legale's banking and finance team advises underwriters, private equity funds and corporate entities on financings, particularly high-profile LBOs and refinancings. Valerio Fontanesi focuses on leveraged, acquisition and real estate finance, along with direct lending, while Gaetano Petroni is a July 2023 hire from Gattai, Minoli, Partners.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP' Italian banking and finance team advises funds and corporations on acquisition, real estate, asset and project financing, along with export finance, syndicated lending, commodity trade finance, corporate loans, fund finance and restructuring. Promoted to partner in April 2023, Simone Egidi leads the Italian banking and finance practice.

Part of the firm’s asset and corporate finance practice, K&L Gates‘ Milan team routinely advises on significant finance deals. The group is jointly headed by Fabrizio Dotti, who advises on acquisition and real estate finance, and on debt and loan portfolio trades; and banking, finance and debt restructuring specialist Paolo Rusconi. Chiara Anceschi was a new arrival in April 2024.

Advising investment funds, sponsors and corporate borrowers, LCA Studio Legale's banking and finance team covers corporate lending, acquisition finance, structured finance and factoring. Leading the banking and finance practice, Davide Valli, who advises on a range of corporate borrowing matters, brings ‘profound technical expertise and significant finance sector experience'.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe's Italy banking and finance team is notably active in borrowing, structured finance and project finance deals. Marina Balzano brings experience in leveraged, acquisition, corporate and real estate finance; and structured finance and banking law expert. Former group head Patrizio Messina and Alessandro Accrocca exited the firm in February 2024.