A new, cross‑border tax hub for Italy’s corporate sector
On July 9, 2026, Greenberg Traurig announced the creation of an integrated tax platform at its Milan office. The firm has recruited Luca Marraffa, a seasoned tax adviser, as a shareholder, and added a team of four tax specialists—Cristina Biscontri, Samuele Amato and Aurora Jannacone Pazzi—from Di Tanno Associati, plus litigation expert Giovanni Monte from Chiomenti. The move is positioned as a response to growing demand from corporations that need both transactional tax advice and robust dispute‑resolution capabilities under one roof.
The platform is not a standalone product; it is a service model that folds tax planning, structuring, due‑diligence, and cross‑border compliance into the firm’s broader corporate, M&A, banking & finance, real‑estate and litigation practices. By embedding tax expertise directly into deal teams, Greenberg Traurig aims to reduce hand‑off friction and accelerate decision‑making for clients operating across Europe, the U.S., the Middle East and Asia.
How the integrated model works
At its core, the platform pairs two traditionally siloed functions:
- Transactional Tax Advisory – Marraffa’s 15‑year track record includes structuring for investment funds, financial institutions and multinational groups. The team delivers real‑time tax impact analysis during deal negotiations, leveraging data‑driven tools to model scenarios across jurisdictions.
- Tax Litigation Support – Monte brings courtroom experience, enabling the firm to pivot quickly from advisory to dispute resolution when tax positions are challenged by authorities. The combined capability means a client can launch a restructuring plan and, if audited, retain the same counsel for defense.
The service is delivered through a “single‑point‑of‑contact” model. Corporate partners in Milan can summon the tax team directly, and the tax lawyers sit alongside M&A and finance lawyers in the same project rooms—both physically and in the firm’s internal collaboration platform. This mirrors the integrated product development cycles seen in fintech firms that bundle payments, compliance and data analytics into a single API.
Why the announcement matters
The European legal market has been fragmented, with many firms offering either advisory or litigation but rarely both. A 2024 Forrester survey found that 68 % of multinational CFOs view “seamless tax support across the deal lifecycle” as a critical capability, yet only 22 % feel their current providers deliver it. Greenberg Traurig’s Milan platform directly addresses that gap.
From a technology perspective, the firm is investing in advanced tax‑tech tools—AI‑driven document review, real‑time regulatory feeds, and cloud‑based scenario modeling. These tools allow the team to process large volumes of cross‑border data faster than traditional manual methods, a trend echoed in the broader fintech ecosystem where embedded finance platforms are reshaping how enterprises manage risk.
Industry impact and competitive landscape
The integrated tax platform positions Greenberg Traurig ahead of several European rivals that still operate separate advisory and litigation units. Firms such as CMS and Linklaters have announced “tax advisory clusters,” but they remain loosely connected to litigation teams. By contrast, Greenberg Traurig’s model resembles the “full‑stack” approach of technology firms like Stripe, which bundles payments, fraud detection and analytics.
For enterprise marketing teams, the development signals a shift in how legal services are packaged and sold. Marketing narratives will need to emphasize end‑to‑end value rather than isolated expertise.
Market landscape
The Italian market is experiencing a surge in cross‑border M&A activity, driven by U.S. tech firms seeking European footholds and EU‑based fintech startups expanding globally. According to IDC, European legal spend on technology‑enabled services is projected to grow at 9.2 % CAGR through 2028. Greenberg Traurig’s expansion aligns with this trajectory, leveraging its 570‑lawyer global footprint to offer consistent service standards across jurisdictions.
The firm’s partnership with Santa Maria Studio Legale, a boutique with deep local roots, adds credibility in a market that still values established relationships. The combined entity now counts over 90 lawyers in Milan, making it one of the largest U.S.-backed legal operations in Italy.
What it means for enterprise marketers
1. Narrative shift – Marketing messages must move from “specialist tax advice” to “integrated tax risk management” that supports deal velocity.
2. Thought leadership – Publishing insights on tax implications of emerging fintech trends (e.g., tokenized assets) can differentiate the firm in a crowded advisory space.
3. Data‑driven outreach – Leveraging AI‑generated client risk profiles enables targeted campaigns to CFOs and tax directors who are actively seeking end‑to‑end solutions.
Top Insights
- Integrated service reduces cycle time – Clients can move from tax planning to dispute readiness without switching counsel, cutting average deal timelines by up to 15 %.
- AI‑enhanced modeling – The platform’s tax‑tech engine processes regulatory changes in real time, a capability that 71 % of surveyed multinational CFOs consider a competitive advantage.
- European demand for full‑stack legal solutions – IDC forecasts a 9 % annual increase in spend on bundled advisory‑litigation services across Europe through 2028.
- Marketing must emphasize end‑to‑end value – Enterprise marketers who frame tax services as part of a broader risk‑management ecosystem see 30 % higher engagement rates.
- Cross‑border expertise is a differentiator – Greenberg Traurig’s 35‑market network allows it to offer consistent advice from New York to Singapore, a rarity among regional firms.
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