Italy

Founded in 1992, Pierallini Studio Legale is a leading law firm based in Rome and Milan, with over 30 years of experience in aviation law. The Firm has an extensive experience in the full range of legal advice, including aviation, corporate and commercial, M&A, litigation and arbitration, labour and employment, company restructuring and insolvency, health care, and tax. This extensive  knowledge enables the Firm to offer clients a seamless service ensuring a fully integrated assistance through dedicated teams on various areas of law.

The Firm has enjoyed a global and qualified reputation in aviation for over 30 years, providing expert advice to clients across the whole of the international aviation sector, including aircraft finance, regulatory matters, litigation, dispute resolution, M&A, 261 claims and passengers’ rights. It assists clients across the aviation industry, such as airlines, airports, ground handling operators, business jet operators, lessors, banks, manufacturers. The Firm also assists clients in regulatory matters and advisory services, comprising assistance and planning for the representation before governmental agencies (such as antitrust, privacy and communication authorities) and contacts with civil aviation authorities, mainly in Italy and the European Union, but also abroad.

In addition, Pierallini Studio Legale has also a distinguished reputation in in health care law, providing legal services to hospitals, specialized health care facilities, and clinics across Italy.

RECOGNIZED EXPERTISE IN AVIATION

The aviation industry is constantly evolving, and Pierallini Studio Legale is committed to helping and supporting its clients navigate the dynamic challenges of the modern aviation sector. The Firm’s aviation practice is regularly acknowledged for its excellence by top legal and industry directories.

With extensive experience across the industry, the Firm provides a full spectrum of legal services to a wide range of clients, including airlines, helicopter, drones and business aviation operators, airport managers, ground handlers, aircraft manufacturers, MROs, leasing companies, financiers, insurers. The Firm’s expertise covers a wide range of areas, including labour, 261 claims and passenger rights, dispute resolution, aviation finance, commercial law, regulatory compliance, M&A, competition, restructuring and insolvency, as well as employment.

In addition, Pierallini Studio Legale also maintains an active role in advancing the field of aviation law through organising annual conferences on air law in Rome, attracting international experts, jurists and industry operators.

The Firm regularly contributes to various publications on aviation law, including the Italian chapter of: Getting the Deal Through – Air Transport; Getting the Deal Through – Aviation Finance & Leasing; International Comparative Legal Guide – Aviation Law; Lexology Intelligence.

EXPERIENCE:

• Supported a prestigious shipping company, leader in the cargo and cruise sectors, in its strategic expansion into the Italian air cargo market. The project encompassed the relaunch of an Italian airline and the planning of a fleet renewal with aircraft dedicated to cargo transport.
• Advised on the most significant M&A transaction in the Italian aviation sector, including the sale of the aviation perimeter to the newly established flag carrier.
• Assisted one of the largest ground handling operator in acquiring a business unit from a major Italian air carrier, which provided both self-handling and third-party handling services.
• Assisted the selling company in the sale of an exclusive luxury resort to a leading global aviation operator.
• Successfully represented several airlines and association before the Italian Administrative Court of Piedmont (Turin) on a dispute concerning the Italian Transport Regulatory Authority (ART) resolution regarding the minimum rights on the handling of complaints that air transport passengers can demand from airlines.
• Provide assistance with all the major Aircraft Financing transactions of business jets in Italy.
• Assisted one of the largest ground handling operator at FCO Airport in judicial proceedings before the Italian Administrative Court (both the Court of First Instance and the Supreme Administrative Court) on the outcome of the tender issued by the airport’s managing authority.
• Assisted a prominent Italian operator in establishing non-commercial operations (NCC) in Italy. We assisted the operator with ENAC to ensure the recognition of these operations in accordance with EASA.