Italian
Desk

As the second-largest industrialised country in the European Union and an EU net contributor, Italy is one of the most important trading partners for German companies and vice versa. The members of our Italian Desk are very familiar with the particularities of the Italian legal system, which often alienate German clients: we have many years of experience in explaining the existing differences and the reasons for such differences to German companies and in informing them about how to identify and remove emerging obstacles from the outset. This is also important because language barriers and cultural barriers can increase the duration of German-Italian cross-border projects and jeopardise their success.

With 30 years of experience in dealing with German-Italian cross-border transactions, the team that is responsible for Luther’s Italian Desk has a leading position in German-Italian legal transactions. The team consists of 16 lawyers, who have excellent language skills (several members are also authorised translators) and who are familiar not only with both legal systems but also with the difference in mentality of the two countries. Our lawyers are supported by Italian-speaking assistants. Many members of the Italian team grew up bilingual and/or in Italy and have the Italian or dual citizenship.

Working closely with leading Italian law firms, our Italian Desk advises German and international companies on how to expand their business activities in Italy and, vice versa, Italian companies on their business activities in Germany. The continuous exchange of professional and personal information among the lawyers involved in both countries ensures efficient advice. Experienced, well-functioning teams help clear up the misunderstandings that are typical of cross-border transactions already when they arise and implement projects in the respective other country smoothly and inexpensively. We provide all our advisory services in German, Italian and English.

Our range of advisory services

Assisting Italian companies that wish to enter the German market
Assisting with the formation of subsidiaries and branches
Supporting clients during contract talks, the initiation of contracts and contract negotiations and advising them on the conclusion and implementation of contracts
Providing corporate law advice regarding all legal forms, including advising on liability issues and corporate compliance
Providing comprehensive assistance with M&A transactions and joint ventures
Advising on all aspects of project financing
Setting up and reviewing distribution systems, import, export, sales agency and distribution contracts, and general terms and conditions
Advising on all employment and social security law issues
Assisting with the implementation of real estate transactions, drafting, reviewing and negotiating commercial leases
Providing advice on all matters relating to national and international tax law
Assisting with settlement negotiations and representing clients in court, arbitration and investment protection proceedings, including alternative dispute resolution, as well as providing prevention advice and risk management services
Assisting with restructurings and advising on insolvency law issues

Advising our clients on their market entry in Italy
Project management in cross-border transactions jointly with our local partner law firms, with us acting as a single point of contact and coordinating the activities of our partner law firms and our own offices
Assisting with the formation of subsidiaries and branches
Supporting clients during contract talks, the initiation of contracts and contract negotiations and advising them on the conclusion and implementation of contracts
Providing corporate law advice regarding all legal forms, including advising on liability issues and corporate compliance
Providing comprehensive assistance with M&A transactions and joint ventures
Advising on all employment and social security law issues
Assisting with the implementation of real estate transactions
Advising on all aspects of Italian tax law
Assisting with settlement negotiations and representing clients in court and arbitration proceedings, including alternative dispute resolution