«This team specialises in advising clients in the TMT field and has 19 lawyers dedicated to the sector. It has already made a name for itself through its work for top international and domestic TV and IT companies and has significantly developed its client base in the fields of telecoms, film and gaming. Francesco Portolano heads the department and, as a regular speaker at conferences on media issues, he is recognised as a leading expert in the field. Having already gained good experience and in-depth knowledge of the field, Ernesto Apa looks set for great things. Work highlights of the year include assisting a leading telecoms provider in proceedings relating to data protection issues; the team also assisted on all the legal aspects connected to the launch of a TV channel and the production of a blockbuster film. Currently under expansion, the firm has offices in Milan and Rome.»
Chambers Europe 2009 - TMT Media Band 1
«Drawing on the firm’s strength in the TMT area, this 11-lawyer team is active in mid-market matters. Unsurprisingly, many clients come from the IT and telecoms sectors; for example, the team is representing an Internet company in the negotiation of a joint venture with a leading Italian newspaper. Clients describe the lawyers as “open and personable,” adding: “They explain things clearly and inspire confidence.” Manuela Cavallo is “a brilliant lawyer - very helpful and responsive.” She is also praised for her command of English.»
Chambers Europe 2009 - Corporate/M&A
«‘It’s a team I respect very much,’ say clients of the ‘young and dynamic’ firm Portolano Colella Cavallo Studio Legale. Predominantly known for its first-class media work, the practice has seen growth in film, gaming and telecoms work and is also beefing up the Milan office. On the IT contract side, clients say: ‘the enthusiasm with which my negotiations were supported was impressive’, with Domenico Colella doing ‘a fabulous job’. Office head Francesco Portolano is also strongly recommended, Laura Liguori has over 10 years of experience working in the IT and e-commerce fields and ‘takes the time to understand our business’.»
Legal500 Europe, Middle East & Africa 2009 - TMT Tier 1
«TMT-focused firm Portolano Colella Cavallo Studio Legale continues to improve its standing in the mid-market M&A sector, particularly in relation to private equity and venture capital. Highlights include advising a leading Italian online classifieds website with its joint venture negotiations with an Italian newspaper, acting on a cross-border purchase and sale-back deal of an Italian company, and advising a New York PE fund on a €650m transaction. Clients are impressed by the firm’s ‘sensitivity to our emergencies and deadlines’ and their ‘prompt answers to our requests’.»
Legal500 Europe, Middle East & Africa 2009 - Corporate
«Portolano Colella Cavallo Studio Legale welcomed [..] IP litigator Francesca Besemer. Micael Montanari heads a litigation practice focused on media, IP and commercial disputes, whilst Silvia Guizzardi departed the practice.»
Legal500 Europe, Middle East & Africa 2009 - Dispute Resolution
