Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Shearman & Sterling and Chiomenti have taken the lead roles on the London Stock Exchange’s (LSE) €1.5bn (£1.1bn) acquisition of Borsa Italiana.
Freshfields is advising long-term client LSE on both UK and Italian law aspects of the deal which was agreed on Friday (22 June). The Italian team includes partners Mario Ortu (corporate), Raffaele Lener (regulatory) and Gian Luca Zampa (competition). In London principal consultant Graham Nicholson has the lead role with finance partner Peter Hall and competition partner Deidre Trapp also advising.
Borsa Italiana has turned to longstanding adviser Chiomenti with Milan corporate partner Edoardo Andreoli leading the team. Shearman & Sterling’s London office is advising Borsa Italiana on UK law issues with London corporate partner Peter King leading a team which also includes competition partner Matthew Readings and European financial institutions head Barney Reynolds.
The US firm has teamed up with Chiomenti to advise the Italian exchange in the past but this is the first time the client has instructed its London office.
The acquisition is a defensive move by the LSE, which has itself been subject to a sustained period of interest from prospective buyers such as the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq during the last year.
