THE FIRM Maintaining its position at the top of the rankings, this international powerhouse represents some of the biggest global companies in the TMT field and has had an extremely active twelve months. Its highly regarded IT practice handles a broad range of work for top-notch clients in the luxury goods, communication and technology sectors and recent work includes cloud computing agreements, online advertising issues, sale of software tools and domain name dispute resolution. The firm also has a significant presence in the telecoms and media sectors, advising on broadcast regulation and media regulatory issues.
Sources say: "The firm not only brings legal support but helps us solve problems in a language we understand."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Widely regarded as an expert in his field, Lorenzo de Martinis is "an impressive IT practitioner who is pragmatic and solution-oriented," say sources. He specialises in privacy, data security, outsourcing and technology. Raffaele Giarda comes recommended for telecoms work and clients particularly appreciate his background in corporate and regulatory law. Heralded as a rising star in IT, Francesca Gaudino wins praise for having "an excellent understanding of the technical aspects of a deal."
THE FIRM This outstanding firm has strength across the board and is highly ranked in all areas of its TMT practice. Boasting one of the most international practices in the market, the team serves an enviable range of clients from all industry sectors, including communications agencies, film makers, performers and luxury hotels. It acts on transactional, regulatory and contentious matters, recently advising WPP on several contentious matters. Sources particularly appreciate the high level of partner involvement.
Sources say: "Bird & Bird has some really first-class people. We are extremely happy with the quality of work." "The team is incredibly thoughtful, responsive and works hard to solve problems in a timely fashion. On a personal level the individuals are terrific to deal with - they are there when you need them most."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Popular with peers and clients alike, Massimiliano Mostardini enjoys a remarkable reputation in technology and media. His TMT experience is aided by his background in IP, and sources appreciate his down-to-earth approach, saying: "He is really pragmatic and gives concrete advice." Clients value Osvaldo Lombardi's leading commercial awareness and civil litigation expertise, which enhances his telecommunications practice.
THE FIRM This leading Italian firm fields a multi-practice TMT team, which enables it to offer antitrust, M&A, regulatory and IP advice alongside traditional TMT work. Telecoms and IT form the core of its practice and it has a long-standing relationship with Telecom Italia, for which it has handled a number of significant mandates in recent months. Other notable highlights include advising UGC Ciné Cité on the acquisition of its total share capital.
Sources say: "The firm excels across the board and has a robust TMT practice."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Claudio Tesauro has a highly respected telecoms practice, which he complements with extensive competition and antitrust expertise. Alessandro Musella is an increasingly visible practitioner in the technology sector, with peers hailing him as "a true IT expert." He is particularly renowned for outsourcing work.
THE FIRM This three-partner TMT practice offers transactional and regulatory assistance within the broadcast and media industries. It advises clients on all licensing, regulatory and outsourcing matters, and has particular expertise in data protection, software licensing agreements, and financing for technology start-ups. Clients include Class Editori, Rock TV, Mediapason and Blockbuster Italia.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Nicolò Bastianini specialises in media, telecoms, sports and entertainment law. His broad corporate knowledge lends him a distinct advantage and enables him to assist key players from a variety of industries.
THE FIRM This well-established TMT practice continues to enjoy a firm reputation for media work and provides ongoing assistance in the field of copyright, media and entertainment law. It has a notable focus on fiction and music-related rights, new media and audiovisual entertainment, and the team advises a range of clients including Hermès, Prima TV, ZTE and Pomelatto. In a noteworthy recent deal the firm assisted broadcaster Finelco with the development of its music TV channel.
Sources say: "The lawyers are highly qualified and very able in this field."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Leading competition lawyer Stefania Bariatti regularly assists leading media clients, who appreciate her knowledge of international law. She divides her time between Brussels and Milan.
THE FIRM This stellar TMT practice is renowned for its excellent telecoms practice, which has on its client roster major names such as Sky, Google and Telecom Italia. The dynamic team handles a raft of TMT issues including transactional, regulatory, antitrust and contentious work. Notable highlights include successfully advising Telecom Italia on its request for interim measures against Fastweb and TeleTu in regards to unlawful retention strategies.
Sources say: "An all-round talented firm."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Mario Siragusa is an authority in the telecoms market and wins notable praise for his "exceptional" knowledge of regulatory matters. He is also a leading light in EU and competition law, and often appears before the European courts. Marco D'Ostuni impresses commentators with his experience before the EC and the Italian authorities. Admitted to practice in both Italy and the USA, his international background is a particular advantage when serving foreign clients.
THE FIRM This prolific TMT player offers sector-specific expertise and comes highly recommended for IT and media in particular. A raft of new hires has further strengthened its reputation and the past year has heralded a mix of transactional and contentious work, including outsourcings for a major fashion group and a leading technology company. The team is building up its online practice and its enviable client roster includes Benetton, Boeing, Nickelodeon, PokerStars and Western Union.
Sources say: "I choose the firm because I know it gets the work done. It combines great technical knowledge with market awareness, and its experience in the digital world is second to none." "You can really feel there is teamwork and an abundance of enthusiasm."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Giangiacomo Olivi excels in online and media work and receives abundant praise for his intelligence and creativity. He is qualified in Italy and the UK, and sources say he is "an incredibly talented lawyer who always comes up with unexpected but strong solutions." Clients appreciate Italo de Feo's top management skills and ability to make sure deals run smoothly. He is active in online and outsourcing work.
Since publication, Italo de Feo has joined CMS
THE FIRM A notable presence in the TMT market, this firm has the skills to serve clients on a range of matters in all three sectors. The team was most active on technology deals in the past year, and a highlight was assisting BBC Worldwide in its negotiations with the Mediaset Group for a TV channel licence. This involved advising the BBC on transmission capacity and relations with the Italian regulatory authority. Other high-profile clients include Rai, State Street, Wind Telecomunicazioni and Betfair Italia.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Luca Ulissi is in demand for his "authoritative negotiation skills and leading capacity to mediate." Focused on public utilities regulation, his background in commercial and corporate law means he is well placed to assist with a variety of problems.
THE FIRM On 28 May 2012 the entire team from Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP in Italy joined with Grimaldi e Associati and commenced operations under the name Grimaldi Studio Legale. All clients and work highlights mentioned in our editorial took place whilst the firm was operating as Dewey & LeBoeuf. Sources highlight this firm's full-rounded TMT service, which handles M&A, regulatory and commercial issues. Clients include BT Italia, Dahlia TV, Poste Mobile and Fastweb, which it recently represented in a EUR10 million dispute against the municipality of Rome.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Long-standing practitioner Rino Caiazzo maintains an excellent reputation in telecoms litigation thanks to his expertise in competition, corporate, M&A and EU law.
Since publication, Rino Caiazzo has joined Caiazzo Donnini Pappalardo & Associati – CDP Studio Legale.
THE FIRM Celebrated for its outstanding IT knowledge, this team maintains its leading market standing. It has a raft of significant clients including Facebook, TripAdvisor, eBay and Google, and its broad scope of work includes contentious and transactional matters. The team advised Google on data protection issues, notably with respect to its Street View feature, and helped with projects including Google Art and Google Books. The firm's capabilities in the telecommunications and media sectors are also acknowledged.
Sources say: "The team provides us with 360-degree advice - I appreciate how proactive the firm is, and its good timekeeping."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Sources describe the much-admired Marco Berliri as "top amongst the young lawyers," and one client comments that "he really is exceptional: he provides succinct, practical advice and I rely on him for everything."
THE FIRM This TMT team is made up of lawyers with a range of sector-specific expertise, allowing it to advise on a variety of matters. The firm excels in telecoms and has recently been active with litigation as well as advising on regulatory issues in front of the Ministry of Communication. Clients include a local TV station, an ISP and an online budget flight finder.
Sources say: "The team can formulate the perfect trial strategy."
KEY INDIVIDUALS The best-known name on the team is Gilberto Nava, whose extensive experience as a former in-house lawyer means he has superb and extensive industry knowledge. Sources also commend his dedication to his clients.
THE FIRM The firm of choice for clients requiring outstanding telecommunications expertise, Libertini continues to draw praise for its full-service team, which provides cutting-edge regulatory and contractual advice for major clients, including Vodafone.
Sources say: "The firm acts on a significant range of mandates and has a wide range of expertise."
KEY INDIVIDUALS An esteemed professor as well as a remarkable lawyer, the highly experienced Mario Libertini is universally regarded as a luminary in the telecoms market.
THE FIRM This well-positioned Italian firm stands out for its high-quality media work. The compact practice excels in any issues related to TV, film and the music world, such as authors' rights and copyright litigation. The four-partner team attracts a prestigious client base that includes Nintendo, Disney and Warner Chappell.
Sources say: "One of the key names in the field of media law."
KEY INDIVIDUALS A well-known figure in copyright disputes and music publishing, Giorgio Mondini receives abundant praise from peers, who remark that he is "an expert in regulatory work."
THE FIRM This Italian firm houses a respected TMT practice, which focuses primarily on IT and telecoms. Well known for its solid corporate practice, the three-partner team is a popular choice for those seeking assistance with transactional work or litigation. It works closely with notable clients such as Nokia Siemens, BT, Vodafone and Dell.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Regarded as a "first-class choice" for outsourcing work, Vittorio Noseda specialises in IT, telecoms, M&A and international contracts. He represents leading domestic and international clients who hail him as "a great person to work with."
THE FIRM An important presence in the media scene, this traditional tax firm has a compact but knowledgeable TMT team. It provides full assistance with TV channel launches, including negotiating affiliation agreements, and advises on all regulatory aspects and managing agreements with foreign-controlled entities. It attracts a raft of high-profile international clients who value its extremely personalised service.
Sources say: "The lawyers not only take ownership of the legal issues but really try to get you where you want to be. They think through the issues in a practical sense and I feel they look after my best interests."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Francesca Lodigiani forms the cornerstone of the media practice and remains one of the market's foremost lawyers in this field. Clients appreciate her inside knowledge of the entertainment industry and say she is "a delight to work with because of her positive energy."
THE FIRM A renowned figure in the media and IT fields, this stellar firm has carved a niche for itself in the market and acts for a raft of high-profile clients. The team has won a number of new clients in recent months, with social networking sites, game developers and broadcasters electing to choose Portolano for their TMT work. Its media expertise remains indisputably in the top tier, thanks to a full-rounded service that covers television, advertising, brands, games and betting. On the IT side, it has recently handled cases concerning e-commerce, IT contracts and the outsourcing of IT infrastructure.
Sources say: "Not a typical law firm; it is young and provides superb, innovative solutions."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Francesco Portolano enjoys an outstanding reputation for media work, and is also a prominent figure in the technology sector. His combination of technical acumen and business-focused advice is appreciated by clients. Sources admire Ernesto Apa's technical skill and clear-cut approach, saying: "He's by far the best professional in the TV industry. It's hard to find someone who can translate legal concepts into normal language."
THE FIRM This quality Italian firm remains a prominent player in the domestic media market and is aided by its strong IP and corporate practices. It earns particular note for its advertising work and for its experience in copyright-related media matters. It is especially popular with advertising agencies, but other clients include major names in the music, film and publishing industries.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Key practitioner Lorenzo Attolico combines a flourishing IP practice, where he is one of the top names in copyright, with respected media expertise. Publishing, cinema and gaming are all significant areas of focus. Riccardo Rossotto has "very good experience assisting with advertising issues," say sources. He also wins praise for his work in contentious cases, with clients highlighting his standout negotiation skills.
THE FIRM Technology and telecoms remain an important source of work for this firm and it attracts significant Italian and multinational clients. Recent highlights include advising leading Italian internet portal Libero on a range of corporate and commercial matters.
Sources say: "The team is very attentive: its members are consistently well prepared and strongly attuned to our needs."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Filippo Fioretti is the key contact here. He heads the TMT group and specialises in EU, competition, IP and TMT matters.
A Naples-based professor with a specific media focus,
Astolfo Di Amato of Astolfo Di Amato e Associati Avvocati impresses with his top-notch experience defending major multinationals.
"Tough negotiator" Guendalina Ponti of Guendalina Ponti E Lorenzo De Sanctis Studio Legale has a leading reputation for her work advising on all issues in the film industry. Peers admire her high-quality media practice. The highly esteemed
Antonio Bernardini of Gallavotti Honorati de Marco & Partners has a wealth of expertise advising cinematography clients. Sources appreciate his efficiency and responsiveness, saying:
"He is very quick to provide the necessary feedback." A well-known competition lawyer and professor,
Gian Michele Roberti of EJC - Roberti & Associati has a significant client base which includes Sky Italia. Interviewees say that he is a highly capable practitioner, able to advise on regulatory, competition and general telecoms matters.
Matteo Orsingher of Orsingher Avvocati Associati has standout knowledge of the media sector, advising notable broadcasters and advertisers. Sources acknowledge his negotiation skills and overall experience in the entertainment world. Revered for his telecoms knowledge,
Fabrizio Cugia di Sant'Orsola of Cugia Cuomo & Associati frequently represents high-profile multinational clients. He also advised on the EC's Green Paper on multimedia applications in Europe.
Andrea Valli of Valli & Associati is lauded for his telecoms and IT expertise, with peers commenting that
"he's the best person to solve complicated technical problems." Peers celebrate
Rocco Panetta of Panetta & Associati as a growing force in the telecoms sector. He is also well versed in privacy law matters. The highly regarded
Marco Dalla Vedova of Dalla Vedova has unrivalled international experience. He acts for major domestic and international clients in the spheres of telecoms, media and finance.
"A very capable telecoms lawyer," Stefano Macchi di Cellere of Jones Day is a widely respected figure in this field. His extensive expertise encompasses communications law, radio and TV broadcasting, IT and online communications matters.
Domenico Colella recently joined the new Rome office of Orsingher Avvocati Associati. Clients enthuse over his excellent technical savvy and negotiation skills.