Studio Legale Pierallini e Associati - International Law Office

Work Areas

Arbitration & Litigation, Aviation, Bankruptcy, Commercial Law, Competition, Corporate Law, Labour Law, Mergers & Acquisitions, Trade

Firm Description

Established in 1986, based in Rome and in Milan, Cannata-Pierallini Law Firm has for years teamed with the Legal and Tax Department of Arthur Andersen Worldwide Organisation, before spinning-off in 1992.

From March 2001 to December 2005 the Firm has been associated with international law firm Coudert Brothers.

The firm has a significant international aviation practice that includes the representation of domestic and foreign companies engaged in air transport . The industry clients represented by the firm include major European airlines for which the firm provides aircraft insurance work, Italian labor and regulatory advice, financial and corporate assistance, as well as the international work for the airlines' handling companies. The aviation practice also includes representation of manufacturers and Italian and foreign lenders in connection with the acquisition, disposition and operation of commercial aircraft, including purchase, lease, charters and financings for such transactions. The regulatory work includes advisory services and assistance, planning and compliance in connection with representation before governmental agencies.

The firm has continuous contacts with the Civil Aviation Authorities, mainly in Italy and EU but also abroad.

The firm also advises international leasing companies and financiers in their Aircraft business in Italy. In particular, since 1988 the firm assisted Italian carriers in aircraft financing with international lessors. The first Aircraft leased to an Italian private airline from a non Italian lessor has been registered in Italy with the assistance of the firm. Further to the liberalisation of 1992 (EU Rule 2407/92) such activity has been increased and the firm has assisted international and Italian carriers in regulatory matters (with Italian and EU civil aviation authorities, such as ENAC and DG VII of EU Commission) as well as aircraft manufacturers, U.S., Singapore's and Australian lessors and EU banks in aircraft financing in Italy. The firm has also assisted the first non EU wet leases, with non EU crews, to Italian carriers.

The firm has a consolidated experience with registration and de-registration of aircraft in Italy and has assisted, with grounded opinions, Italian carriers in their contacts with the Italian Government and Ministry of Transportation to simplify registration and de-registration procedure (actually implemented in May 1998).

OTHER AREAS OF PRACTICE OF THE FIRM

MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS/CORPORATE
The Firm has an extensive and significant experience in the representation and assistance of Italian and international clients. The Firm generally provides legal advice to Italian companies for their international operations and investments. The firm advises industrial and service businesses in structuring and completing joint-ventures, strategic alliances, spin-offs and corporate restructuring.

Particularly, in M&A transactions, the firm has been dealing with the following issues: performing pre or post-acquisition due diligence works; advising in corporate, labour, IP, environment, tax and litigation issues; set up the company structure (including international group structure efficient with double taxation treaty issues involved); drafting memorandum of association and by-laws; drafting shares sale or asset sale agreements; drafting put and call options; drafting joint ventures agreements; drafting shareholders agreements and voting trusts; giving assistance before the competent Italian Authorities (i.e. Italian Chamber of Commerce) for registration purposes and for all other incumbencies; giving assistance for pre and post-merger notification with the Italian Antitrust Authority (when required by the value of the transaction).

LABOUR/EMPLOYMENT
The firm has been involved in numerous major reorganisations, sales acquisitions and other commercial transactions which have involved a significant employment content. The Firm advises on all stages of reorganisations involving either changes in the workforce or a change of labour practices and in the terms and conditions of employment of employees, whether unionised or not.
The firm advises a broad range of clients on the whole spectrum of employment drafting contracts of employment and consultancy agreement for directors and other key employees, reviewing contractual documentation such as handbooks and manuals; drafting and enforcing restricting covenants; the conduct of proceedings in the courts and employment tribunal and advising generally on employment disputes; advice on new and forthcoming legislation and the implementation of new policies to deal with this and generally on all employment related matters.

TRADEMARK AND IP (INCLUDING ADVERTISING AND MEDIA)
The firm provides general and strategic advice on patent, trademark, trade secret and copyright protection for propriety information, software, works of authorship and inventions. The firm establishes intellectual property enforcement programs, branding strategies and non-infringement strategies, including defenses of clients in cases regarding unfair competition, passing off, slavish imitation and other case of infringements. The firm assists clients in licensing intellectual property, exploiting patents and technology, and protect research, data and methodologies.

The firm also has an extensive experience in advertising and media and in particular has been dealing with the following issues: drafting advertising agreement for agencies and/or advertisers; advising a multinational group in broadcast advertising projects; assisting advertising in several disputes against competitors and/or agencies; assisting advertisers before national self-regulatory bodies or the Competition Authority, also with regard to consumer protection issues and new regulations.

REAL ESTATE
The firm has been dealing with a wide variety of sophisticated transactions, including purchase and sale, construction and development works, sale-leaseback, joint ventures and leasing of all types of properties. The firm also has an active practice in representation of owners and lenders in complex real estate workouts and bankruptcy matters, and in handling the real estate components of major mergers and acquisitions transactions.

Lawyer Biographies

Ascenzi, Gianluigi; Grassetti, Francesco Pierallini, Laura;