Capital Markets: Debt - Italy
What the team is known for
Latham & Watkins' leading DCM practice is predominantly noted for its outstanding experience in high-yield bonds, green bonds and sustainability-linked bonds. The team also has considerable skill in ECM mandates, including IPOs and capital increases. The law firm is widely recognised for its international strength, showing further capabilities in UK and US law and close links to its office in London, as well as US-qualified lawyers based in Milan. The team's clients include financial entities acting as bookrunners, arrangers or underwriters, as well as issuer corporates.
Strengths
"Latham & Watkins' professionals were always available, proficient and quick to understand our needs and provide appropriate solutions."
"Sometimes Latham & Watkins represents the financial institutions and sometimes the borrowers, but in each case they do a great job and deliver a great outcome."
"Latham & Watkins has a very big presence with a good team and good partners. They have lots of expertise and are highly commercial."
Work highlights
Latham & Watkins advised EuroGroup Laminations on its EUR922 million IPO on the Euronext Milan stock market.
Notable practitioners
Antonio Coletti is an acclaimed lawyer who assists domestic and international financial institutions and corporate clients with both equity and debt mandates. In particular, he provides advice on public takeovers, IPOs and sustainable as well as high-yield bonds. "Antonio Coletti was always at our side." "Antonio is one of the best ECM lawyers in Italy."
US-qualified partner Jeffrey Lawlis offers expertise in sustainability-linked and high-yield bonds. He mainly acts for leading corporations as well as domestic and international financial entities, including consortiums of banks. "Jeffrey is able to grasp the needs of the customer and manage complex situations." "Jeffrey Lawlis has a unique combination of deep expertise in advising on high-profile, international HYB issuances combined with knowledge of the Italian regulatory framework."
Guido Bartolomei is a highly regarded associate who frequently deals with bond issuances, capital increases and IPOs. "Guido Bartolomei is an outstanding practitioner." "Guido is very strong commercially."
Dually qualified in the USA, as well as England and Wales, Ryan Benedict is a London-based lawyer who has solid experience in DCM mandates in the Italian market. He frequently advises banks on bond issuances and is also adept at handling IPOs and capital increases. "Ryan Benedict was key on some delicate aspects of a very complex transaction."