Overview
Global law firm McDermott Will & Schulte has announced the arrival of a five-partner team in its Milan office, marking one of the most significant lateral expansions in the European legal market this year and underscoring the Firm’s continued investment in Italy.
The team is led by Vincenzo Giannantonio, a highly regarded corporate and private equity lawyer, who joins the firm as co-managing partner in the Milan office. An experienced adviser on mid‑market and sponsor‑led transactions, Vincenzo brings a strong track record in corporate and M&A matters, with a particular focus on private equity and growth capital investments.
Harris Siskind, global head of the firm’s Transactions Practice Group, commented: “This is a standout addition to our European platform and a key step in building McDermott as a pan‑European destination for mid‑market private equity. For clients, it means deeper local capability, delivered through a fully integrated European platform for complex, cross‑border deals.”
Joining Vincenzo are four partners from his core team: Giacomo Pansolli and Domenico Patruno, both focused on transactions; Elisa Mapelli, a leading employment lawyer; and Marco Blei, an intellectual property specialist with deep expertise in life sciences and high‑technology matters.
“This hire meaningfully accelerates the momentum we’ve built in Milan,” said Giancarlo Castorino, managing partner of McDermott’s Milan office. “Vincenzo and his team broaden our capabilities across transactions, employment and IP, allowing us to deliver more integrated, end‑to‑end support for clients through our European and global platform.”
Vincenzo added: “McDermott’s international footprint, entrepreneurial culture and clear focus on private capital align perfectly with the ambitions of our clients and our team. We are genuinely excited to join the firm and to help drive the growth of the Milan office, working closely with colleagues across Europe to deliver high‑impact, cross‑border private equity and M&A solutions.”
In total, McDermott’s Milan office will welcome 12 new lawyers through this expansion, representing one of the largest single boosts in European lateral hiring in recent months. The appointments build on McDermott’s continued expansion in Milan and across Europe, with a strong focus on private capital and transactions, including the recent arrivals of Alfonso Annibale de Marco and Andrea Giaretta in Milan, alongside Kalish Mullen in France and Oliver Sutter in Germany. Together, these hires reflect a coordinated European growth strategy that strengthens the firm’s ability to support sponsors, investors and portfolio companies across key markets.
About Us
Leading organizations turn to global law firm McDermott Will & Schulte for a better way to address legal challenges, connect with those at the forefront, and drive stronger outcomes. Working across more than 20 offices globally, our 1,700+ lawyers act on data-driven insights, deep relationships, and unmatched industry experience to deliver on our commitment of Always Better.