BonelliErede‘s private equity team has significant experience in large-scale acquisitions. The team, which also covers leveraged finance structures, is co-led by Eliana Catalano, a corporate law, M&A, private equity, joint venture and commercial agreement specialist, and Franco Agopyan, a November 2024 hire from Chiomenti and adviser to private equity sponsors and strategic buyers. The practice further includes corporate law expert Stefano Nanni Costa and Giulia Bianchi Frangipane, who has ‘outstanding technical skills’, along with Augusto Praloran and Francesca Ricceri. Private equity deal specialist Marco Bitetto was made partner in January 2024.

Known for its LBO expertise, Chiomenti‘s experience encompasses investments in both private and listed companies. It acts for sponsors targeting the energy, infrastructure, insurance and healthcare sectors. Mario Roli advises infrastructure funds and pension funds on the acquisition of companies; Filippo Modulo is a cross-border M&A specialist; Elena Busson is ‘excellent’; and Luigi Vaccaro handles company law, M&A, private equity and joint ventures. Other experienced practitioners are Carlo Croff, Antonio Sascaro, Massimiliano Nitti, and Corrado Borghesan. US-based Salvo Arena is also noted. TFormer practice-co-head Franco Agopyan and Giovanni Colantuono departed in November 2024.

Gatti Pavesi Bianchi Ludovici acts for banks, mezzanine funds and management groups with leveraged and management buy-out and buy-in deals. It also advises on private equity-related investment management, financial institutions regulation, and tax. The team is co-led by private equity specialist Gianni Martoglia and M&A expert Andrea Giardino. The practice further includes highly-rated civil and commercial law practitioner Carlo Pavesi; M&A, capital markets and corporate law practitioner Franco Barucci; and Silvia Palazzetti, an adviser on corporate law in the private and public sectors. In January 2024, Filippo Sola was made partner.

Acting for leading domestic and international private equity players, Gianni & Origoni‘s sector expertise covers retail, fashion, luxury, insurance, infrastructure, health, pharma and fintech. The practice also fields specialists in complex exit and governance scenarios. Francesco Gianni is a veteran M&A practitioner; private equity, LBO and venture capital expert Stefano Bucci ‘focuses on getting the deal done’; Gianluca Ghersini is particularly focused on private equity mandates; Raimondo Premonte works between Rome and London; and Gabriele Ramponi is ‘committed, competent and precise’. Federico Dettori and Aldo Turella are also experienced advisers.

The private equity practice at Latham & Watkins LLP is experienced in both inbound and outbound M&A deals. The practice also covers take-privates, minority investments, fund-to-fund transfers, and corporate carve-outs. The department is led by M&A, private equity, joint venture and cross-border deal expert Stefano Sciolla. Cataldo Piccarreta is an adviser to private equity sponsors and portfolio companies; Giorgia Lugli is an experienced private equity transaction lawyer; and Giovanni Sandicchi advises on contract and corporate law. The practice also features Giovanni Spedicato and Andrea Stincardini. Giancarlo D’Ambrosio departed in April 2024.

Acting for private equity funds, institutional operators and infrastructure and sovereign wealth funds, Legance - Avvocati Associati is sought out for acquisitions of majority or strategic stakes in Italian and foreign companies. Filippo Troisi routinely assists with headline deals, including cross-border matters; Bruno Bartocci’s clients include major private equity funds; Alberto Giampieri is an expert in acquisitions, mergers, joint ventures, spin-offs and divestitures; and Giovanni Nardulli is an international transaction specialist. Other key figures are Piero Venturini, Andrea Botti, Andrea Fedi, Andrea Sacco Ginevri, Giacomo Gitti, and Francesco Florio.

The result of a 2024 merger between Pedersoli Studio Legale and Gattai, Minoli, Partners, PedersoliGattai is highly experienced in banking and financial services sector-related private equity deals. The practice is also active in the pharma, retail, telecoms, infrastructure and fintech sectors. Bruno Gattai is a widely-respected private equity expert; Alessandro Marena advises private equity funds and industrial groups; Stefano Catenacci focuses on private equity and M&A; and Gerardo Gabrielli is ‘a very strong lawyer’. The practice further includes Carlo Re, Ascanio Cibrario, Federico Bal, Luca Saraceni, Andrea Faoro and Maria Persichetti.

ADVANT Nctm‘s practice is mandated by major private equity funds operating in Italy, as well as at an international level. Group head Matteo Trapani is a highly regarded M&A and private equity expert; Paolo Montironi‘s track record covers LBOs on behalf of Italian and foreign private equity firms; and Pietro Zanoni ‘stands out in terms of experience’. The next line of active practitioners includes M&A specialist Lucia Corradi; private equity, industrial M&A and venture capital expert Alessia Trevisan; and Natali Prodan Milič, who focuses on M&A and private equity.

The result of a May 2024 merger between Allen & Overy LLP and Shearman & Sterling, A&O Shearman handles significant M&A transactions involving private equity funds. The department’s sector expertise covers manufacturing, telecoms, tech, life sciences, consumer goods, financial services and real estate. The group is co-led by Giovanni Gazzaniga, whose track record encompasses private equity deals, public takeovers, mergers, spin-offs and strategic alliances, and ‘brilliant lawyer’ Paolo Nastasi. The team further includes M&A specialist Emanuele Trucco, domestic and cross-border deal lawyer Francesca Croci and M&A and private equity practitioner Chiara De Luca.

Experienced in high-end, domestic and cross-border matters, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton‘s Italian practice acts for major private equity clients on a range of investments and divestitures, including buyouts, consortium deals, co-investments and minority investments. The team is co-led from Milan by Roberto Bonsignore, a highly-rated specialist in public and private M&A, as well as restructuring; and ‘excellent lawyer’ David Singer, an expert in domestic and cross-border M&A, private equity investments, and venture capital deals. Other names to note are Matteo Montanaro, Laura Prosperetti, Gerolamo Da Passano and Gianluca Russo.

Clifford Chance advises global and regional private equity investors throughout the lifecycle of investments. Claudio Cerabolini routinely advises on high-end private equity and private and public M&A deals, while private equity and cross-border M&A transactions specialist Filippo Isacco is a ‘trustworthy partner with strong commercial acumen’. The group also showcases Umberto Penco Salvi, whose track record encompasses landmark M&A deals in Italy; Paolo Sersale, a highly rated adviser for private equity, public M&A, takeover regulations and corporate restructuring; and private equity and cross-border M&A expert Elisa Ielpo.

White & Case (Europe) LLP is routinely mandated to handle high-end private equity transactions. Michael Immordino and Leonardo Graffi work across the firm’s Milan and London offices, while Sara Scapin acts for major Italian and international private equity sponsors and industrial clients. In 2024, public and private M&A expert Domenico Fanuele, as well as Matteo Catalano, Davide Cavazzana and Giovanni Cirelli, joined from legacy firm Shearman & Sterling. Andrea Pretti left the firm in 2025.

Cappelli Riolo Calderaro Crisostomo Del Din & Partners acts on private equity transactions in the infrastructure, education, financial services, manufacturing, real estate, sport and energy sectors. Roberto Cappelli acts for companies, financial institutions and private equity funds on mergers, spin-offs and acquisitions. Providing key support, Guido Masini specialises in corporate finance and capital markets; Nicola Caielli has extensive financial and energy sector expertise; and Valentina Dragoni is ‘an outstanding professional’.

Advising on the full cycle of private equity mandates, Dentons‘ private equity offering covers both acquisitions and exit strategies. The team also assists with tax structuring. Alessandro Dubini acts for private equity funds on M&A, corporate finance and corporate reorganisations; Pier Francesco Faggiano‘s sector expertise includes healthcare, manufacturing and food and beverage; and Luca Pocobelli is ‘an excellent negotiator’. Other key figures are Enrico Troianiello and Stefano Ambrosioni.

Covering both domestic and international transactions, DLA Piper‘s Italian private equity practice advises on high-end sales and acquisitions. The team also comprises experts in management-side deals and distressed asset transactions. Heading the firm’s industrial sector offering in Italy, Alessandro Piermanni leads the private equity group. Danilo Surdi‘s workload includes advising on the sale and acquisition of family-owned businesses. Anna Saraceno and Sira Franzini are also experienced practitioners.

Advising on all aspects of clients’ business cycles, Giovannelli e Associati Studio Legale is particularly focused on structuring national and international commercial networks, along with drafting and negotiating a range of commercial contracts. M&A specialist Alessandro Giovannelli leads the Milan-based team, which includes Fabrizio Scaparro, whose track record encompasses major cross-border deals, and Matteo Delucchi, an adviser on extraordinary transactions. Pasquale Marini and Francesco Peruffo joined from K&L Gates in November 2023 and January 2024, respectively.

Acting throughout private equity lifecycles, Hogan Lovells International LLP‘s practice covers co-investments, and equity or debt investments in infrastructure, real estate and energy assets. It also advises on private M&A, add-on acquisitions, IPO exits, and minority and venture capital investments. Corporate M&A and private equity practitioner Luca Picone is group head; while Paola Barometro is a February 2024 recruit from Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, who advises private equity funds on M&A.

LCA Studio Legale‘s practice covers fundraising, buyouts and other investments, along with the creation of investment vehicles. In Milan, Roberto de Bonis advises entrepreneurs, managers and investors on private equity transactions; while Andrea Messuti is ‘a recognised lawyer in the market’. Over in Genoa, Benedetto Lonato assists with LBOs, while Riccardo Massimilla is experienced in private equity transactions in the energy, manufacturing, financial services and oil and gas sectors.

Acting for private equity houses at all stages of investment cycles, Linklaters Studio Legale Associato covers corporate issues, M&A, banking, capital markets and tax, as well as the investment fund side. Heading the team, Giorgio Fantacchiotti focuses on cross-border public and private M&A and private equity deals; Andrea Arosio leads the banking and finance practice; and Pietro Belloni advises on M&A and joint ventures in the private equity sector.

Advising Italian and foreign private equity funds, Molinari handles major transactions, along with corporate matters and governance issues. The practice is co-led by Ugo Molinari, an advisor to private equity firms and holding companies on M&A, disposals and capital increases, and M&A, LBO, acquisition finance and joint venture expert Margherita Santoiemma. Also highly regarded, Marco Laviano focuses on private equity fund-related acquisitions, disposals, mergers, joint ventures and buy-outs.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe‘s practice is mandated by investors and portfolio companies to handle tech-related private equity and venture capital transactions. Guido Testa is a highly-regarded private equity lawyer, while Attilio Mazzilli has a significant track record in advising investors on high-stakes deals. The practice further includes May 2024 recruit Fabio Fauceglia, from legacy firm Shearman & Sterling, as well as experienced practitioners Alessandro Vittoria and Livia Maria Pedroni.

Advising international groups, investors, private equity funds and SMEs, Pavia e Ansaldo‘s private equity department covers complex cross-border acquisitions and international joint ventures. The private equity team also regularly works alongside the firm’s tax, regulatory, M&A and finance lawyers. The department is co-led by managing partner Stefano Bianchi, who regularly advises on significant private equity deals, and Meritxell Roca Ortega, an expert in private equity, corporate and commercial matters.

The private equity transactions practice at Simmons & Simmons covers venture and growth capital financing, buyouts, exits, M&A, consortium bids, joint ventures and advice to management teams. It also assists with restructurings and company workouts. Andrea Accornero focuses on private equity and M&A. Laura Fiordelisi assists private equity funds at every investment life cycle stage and Marco Muratore specialises in M&A, private equity and corporate reorganisations. Moira Gamba is another experienced practitioner.

Ashurst‘s group is experienced in private equity deals, LBOs, MBOs, asset transactions and joint ventures. It is particularly expert in minority investments. Heading up the team from Milan, Fabio Niccoli‘s career includes working as GC at a prominent investment company, while Andrea Di Rosa provides key support.

CBA Studio Legale e Tributario‘s team assists investment funds, asset management companies and fixed-income investment companies throughout the entire transaction cycle. The group is led by private equity transaction specialist Luca Fabbrini, while Ilaria Antonella Belluco advises private equity funds looking to operate in the Triveneto region.

CMS‘ team is experienced in fund formation, debt finance, secondary transfers, regulatory matters and fund-related mergers. Paolo Scarduelli acts for private equity clients across the insurance, banking, automotive and TMC sectors, while Massimo Trentino assists private equity funds with tech-related investments. Pietro Cavasola also advises on private equity.

Deloitte Legal Italy -Società tra Avvocati a r.l.‘s private equity offering covers legal, tax, financial advisory and accounting services. Benefiting from the firm's global network, the team focuses on the food, automotive, fashion, luxury, healthcare, renewables and real estate sectors. Carlotta Robbiano, Giorgio Mariani and Federico Loizzo co-lead the group.

Eversheds Sutherland Associazione Professionale fields experts in domestic and cross-border private equity, venture capital, financial M&A and reorganisation transactions. The team, which also assists portfolio companies throughout the lifetimes of investments, is co-led by M&A and private equity specialist Davide Proverbio and Alessandro Vischi, an adviser to private equity funds.

Covering the full spectrum of private equity deals, Giliberti Triscornia e Associati‘s practice covers fund formation and structuring, as well as M&A, LBOs, management incentive plans and exit strategies. Founding partner Alessandro Triscornia heads the Milan-based private equity department, which includes Francesco Cartolano, Edoardo Mistretta and Riccardo Coda.

Advising at all stages of buyouts, Gitti and Partners fields specialists in both primary and secondary private equity transactions. The team’s assistance covers acquisitions, financings, post-closing issues, minority and majority shareholder relations, add-on processes and investor exits. Gregorio Gitti co-heads the group alongside Vincenzo Giannantonio, Stefano Roncoroni and Matteo Treccani.

LMCR‘s team assists investment funds and businesses with investments involving majority and minority stakes. Its assistance covers early stages, future financing phases, venture capital and LBO and buy-in transactions. Massimo La Torre advises on extraordinary deals, and Roberto Rio advises private equity clients on M&A and corporate finance.

McDermott Will & Emery Studio Legale Associato‘s team advises active private equity firms on acquisitions, investments and disposals. It also assists with establishing private equity funds. Ettore Scandale routinely handles significant private equity transactions, while Enrico Raso advises on multi-jurisdictional and real estate-related deals. Fabrizio Faina is another key practitioner.

Portolano Cavallo has significant sector specialisms in life sciences, healthcare and digital media tech. The firm expanded its practice during 2023 through the recruitment of private equity transaction specialists Gianpaolo Scandone and Andrea Gritti from Gatti Pavesi Bianchi Ludovici and Gianni & Origoni, respectively. Another key figure to note is Luca Gambini.