Competition/European Law | Europe

One of the leading competition law firms in Italy, BonelliErede has enjoyed notable recent experience in abuse of dominance investigations before the Italian Competition Authority, particularly for clients in the technology industry. In addition to representing clients during behavioural investigations, the law firm also has noteworthy expertise in appeals against decisions and subsequent damages actions. The team is also well regarded for its ability to handle merger clearance filings and it works closely with lawyers in its Brussels office to advise on state aid mandates.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton continues to be a standout firm in Italy for competition law. The team offers impressive strength in both contentious and non-contentious matters, advising clients on high-value merger clearance matters and significant behavioural investigations. It is currently involved in some of the most high-profile cartel damages actions and challenges to blocked mergers. Clients benefit from the team's ability to collaborate with colleagues in Brussels for matters that are referred to the European Commission. It is a popular choice with clients from the TMT and energy sectors.

Gianni & Origoni moves into the top band of competition law firms in Italy this year on the back of prominent work in the field, particularly in the area of behavioural investigations. The team represents clients in significant cartel and abuse of dominance investigations, as well as subsequently acting on appeals against fines or follow-on damages actions. In addition to its behavioural work, the firm offers noteworthy strength in merger clearance and foreign direct investment filings. The Italian team works closely with colleagues in Brussels on state aid matters. The firm is particularly popular with clients from the banking sector.

Chiomenti is a highly regarded law firm that is particularly popular with clients from the technology and digital markets sectors. The team is particularly active in behavioural investigations before the Italian Competition Authority, and also represents clients in subsequent appeals against fines and in follow-on damages actions. It has additional experience in assisting clients with obtaining competition law clearance for proposed mergers and with state aid issues. Chiomenti also assists clients with matters concerning EU regulations.

Advant Nctm is particularly active in contentious competition law matters, representing clients in cartel and abuse of dominance investigations, as well as in follow-on damages cases and appeals against ICA decisions. The law firm also assists clients with merger clearance mandates, including acting on FDI aspects, and with antitrust compliance matters. It often assists companies from the pharmaceutical and technology sectors.

Cintioli & Associati is particularly strong in the area of behavioural matters. The law firm represents clients from the energy and TMT sectors in investigations into allegations of abuse of dominance and cartel involvement. Additionally, it acts for clients on appeals against fines, as well as standalone and follow-on damages claims. The team has further experience in competition compliance matters, particularly involving distribution strategies.

DLA Piper rises in the rankings this year on account of the notable breadth of its competition law practice. The team advises clients on merger clearance, foreign direct investment and Golden Power issues, as well as state aid matters. It also has strong activity on the behavioural side, representing clients in investigations, appeals against sanctions and damages actions. The law firm has clients from a variety of sectors, including energy, financial services and manufacturing.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is a popular choice with clients from the energy, transportation and TMT sectors. The law firm frequently acts on investigations into possible cartels or abuses of dominant positions, and is also well regarded for representing clients in standout follow-on damages actions. The team has further experience in merger clearance and foreign direct investment mandates.

Legance has recently expanded its competition law team with the hiring of Pietro Merlino. The law firm is active on a number of behavioural matters, representing clients in investigations into possible cartels or abuses of dominance. The team is also strong in merger clearance mandates, including advising clients on contested clearances. It has further experience in competition compliance matters involving vertical restraints and distribution agreements.

PedersoliGattai is a newly-created firm in the Italian market, formed by a merger between Gattai Minoli Partners and Pedersoli Studio. The newly combined team offers broad strength in competition law matters, advising clients on the full range from merger clearance and foreign direct investment filings to investigations into allegations of anti-competitive behaviour, appeals against antitrust sanctions and follow-on damages actions.

Baker McKenzie's Italian team is particularly active in consumer protection and unfair commercial practices mandates, representing clients in investigations into allegations of abuse of dominance and cartel involvement. The law firm frequently assists clients with challenges to ICA decisions. In addition, the team acts on merger clearance mandates and the competition compliance aspects of franchising agreements. It is a popular choice for clients in the technology and transport sectors.

Clifford Chance is particularly active in merger clearance and foreign direct investment filings, often acting for clients from the private equity sector. In addition, the team acts on investigations into allegations of unfair commercial practices, including abuse of a dominant position. The law firm also offers experience in state aid matters and appeals against fines imposed by competition authorities.

Gatti Pavesi Bianchi Ludovici is particularly active in merger control filings and follow-on damages actions. The law firm also assists clients with state aid matters, appeals against authority decisions and the competition law compliance aspects of distribution strategies. The team is a popular choice with clients from the retail and TMT sectors, as well as private equity firms.

Hogan Lovells is particularly active in contentious behavioural matters, representing clients in investigations into allegations of abuse of dominance or cartel involvement. In addition, the team advises on appeals against authority decisions and on damages actions. On top of its contentious practice, the law firm assists clients with merger clearance and foreign direct investment matters.

Osborne Clarke offers a broad competition law practice. The team advises clients on merger clearance filings, as well as on Italy's Golden Power legislation. It also offers experience in behavioural matters, representing clients in investigations, often involving allegations of cartel involvement, and follow-on damages actions. The law firm also assists clients with the competition compliance aspects of distribution strategies and other agreements.

Rucellai & Raffaelli has a strong reputation in contentious competition law matters, including representing defendants in highly significant follow-on damages actions. The law firm represents clients in investigations into unfair commercial practices and in subsequent appeals against fines and authority decisions. The team offers further experience in compliance matters, assisting clients with ensuring that commercial agreements are in line with competition law.

White & Case often assists clients with the competition law aspects of supply and distribution agreements. The law firm also assists clients with merger clearance filings and disputes involving behavioural investigations. It is a popular choice with clients from the consumer goods and pharmaceutical sectors. The Italian team often collaborates with colleagues in the firm's Brussels office.

The firm is particularly active in contentious competition law matters, representing clients in investigations into allegations of unfair commercial practices and in subsequent appeals and high-profile damages actions. It also assists clients as third-party intervenors with challenging proposed mergers and with state aid disputes. The law firm additionally advises clients on merger clearance and foreign direct investment filings. On 1st May 2024, Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling merged to form A&O Shearman.

Bird & Bird often represents clients in investigations into unfair commercial practices, particularly in relation to allegations of abuse of dominance. It also acts for clients in appeals and follow-on damages actions. The law firm also assists with questions concerning the compliance of distribution strategies, in particular in connection with the Vertical Block Exemption Regulation. The team offers additional experience in state aid and merger clearance mandates.

Eversheds Sutherland often represents clients in ICA investigations into alleged anti-competitive behaviour, as well as in standalone and follow-on damages litigation. It frequently assists clients with competition law compliance matters and has further experience in merger control notifications and foreign direct investment filings.

The Linklaters Italian competition law team often collaborates with its colleagues in Belgium and London, and with its corporate department, to assist clients with the filing of proposed mergers before the Italian authorities. It also represents clients in investigations into anti-competitive behaviour, including alleged cartels, and in appeals against authority decisions.