Milan, Italy (January 13, 2025) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell LLP is pleased to announce the launch of its Italian Practice with the arrival of Nicola Fiordalisi and Martin Guizzardi to the firm’s newly established Milan office.
Smith Gambrell has a long-standing, notable International Law Practice that excels at assisting business clients based outside the U.S. in a wide array of domestic legal matters. The firm also works with foreign companies to establish and maintain U.S. operations, and counsels domestic entities seeking to expand their operations internationally.
Smith Gambrell’s Italian Practice includes lawyers with deep experience across more than 50 practice areas, backed by an understanding and appreciation of Italian language, culture and business practices. The firm’s clients include both Italian businesses that already conduct business in the U.S., as well as those aspiring to do so.
“We are pleased to officially launch our Italian Practice with such experienced and respected practitioners as Nicola and Martin. We welcome them to the firm as we expand our practice of serving as a trusted advisor to companies doing business in the United States,” said Stephen M. Forte, managing partner and Chairman of Smith Gambrell’s Executive Committee. “Expansion into the United States is an exciting and daunting milestone in the life of a non-U.S. company, and we are proud to partner with our clients to ensure that process goes smoothly. We are excited to launch Milan as our newest European office and are committed to its growth with Nicola and Martin uniquely positioned to assist Italian companies in their establishment of U.S. operations.”
Mr. Fiordalisi is a member of Smith Gambrell’s Corporate Practice and is Head of the Italian Practice. He advises global corporations on cross-border transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, establishment of U.S. operations, structured finance and private equity deals. He serves as an Honorary Legal Adviser to the Italian Consul General of Chicago and Honorary Legal Counsel to the Italian Trade Commission of Chicago. Mr. Fiordalisi is also a former adjunct law Professor at Chicago Kent College of Law (LLM Programs) as well as at Loyola University School of Law (JD and LLM Programs) where he taught “Strategic Counseling to International Clients.” He received his J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law and is a J.D. graduate of Università di Bologna.
Mr. Guizzardi is a member of Smith Gambrell’s Corporate Practice and Deputy Leader of the Italian Practice. He has assisted hundreds of Italian companies in planning and establishing manufacturing and commercial operations in the U.S., most notably, through the negotiation of joint ventures with U.S. partners, the formation and setup of U.S.-based subsidiaries to act as distributors for the parent entities, and the regulatory and ancillary aspects of planning and opening manufacturing facilities in the U.S. Mr. Guizzardi received his LL.M. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law (where he taught “Strategic Counseling to International Clients” together with Mr. Fiordalisi) and is a graduate of Università degli Studi di Milano. In 2023, he completed an Executive MBA at Bocconi University in Milan, enabling him to adopt a holistic approach when counseling clients.
To learn more about the Firm’s Italian Practice, please visit: https://www.sgrlaw.com/practices/italian-practice/.
About Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP
Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP is a full-service, international law firm that advises regional, national and global businesses on a wide range of legal matters. The Firm’s nearly 350 attorneys provide legal counsel in more than 50 specialized practice areas, including corporate transactions, litigation, intellectual property, aviation, banking, real estate, insurance/reinsurance, construction, employment law, international, and employee benefits and executive compensation. Founded in 1893, Smith Gambrell has 14 domestic and international offices, including Atlanta; Austin; Charlotte; Chicago; Jacksonville; London; Los Angeles; Miami; Milan; Munich; New York; Southampton; Tampa; and Washington, D.C.