Event Overview

What better place than Milan, Italy, as the venue of the AIJA Half-Year May Conference in 2025?

Milan is Italy's main economic and financial centre. It hosts, among other things, Italy’s stock exchange and serves as an industrial hub of world-recognised excellence. It is also one of the world’s fashion capitals, with its famous Milan Fashion Week and Via Montenapoleone fashion district. Milan is rich in culture, featuring a world-famous cathedral and museums housing masterpieces such as Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper, Caravaggio’s The Basket of Fruit, and Francesco Hayez’ The Kiss. Moreover, Milan is renowned for sports, being home to two of Europe's most successful football teams, A.C. Milan and Inter Milan. In 2026, it will co-host the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games with Cortina d'Ampezzo. Last but not least, Milan is a leading city in the legal field, with the new European Patent Court and the Milan Chamber of Arbitration.

AIJA can't wait to welcome you to Milan for the Half-Year Conference from 14 to 17 May 2025.

The conference will take place in the Navigli district, one of the city's most vibrant neighbourhoods, known for its beauty and lively nightlife.

The academic programme “Legal Design for Business: Re-shaping Cities, Disputes and Supply Chains with Sustainable Finance” will have two tracks and focus on some of Milan's unique aspects.

Track 1 will focus on private equity structures (both under M&A and financial perspectives) and real estate deals and developments that have reshaped the city of Milan. Track 2 will delve into (Alternative) Dispute Resolution and Third-Party Funding in the Supply Chain and other areas such as fashion, sports, and healthcare.

The social programme will give you an authentic Milanese experience. You will explore Italian cuisine through small canal-side restaurants, regenerated industrial venues, Italian family hospitality, and magnificent historic locations. We will show you the exclusive nightclubs of the Navigli district. In addition, we will organise outdoor activities in collaboration with local volunteer associations.

See you all in Milan!


ACADEMIC PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

Track 1: Re-shaping Cities: Private Equity, Real Estate, and Finance as Key Industries for Fast-Growing Cities. 
Milan is not only recognised for being the city of fashion but also as one of the most vibrant private equity and financial centres in Europe and possibly the world. Together with a real estate sector that has revolutionised the city over the last decades, these industries have been key to the success of the Milan model. Located in one of the most industrialised regions of Europe, Milan has channelled investments through a growing private equity and financial sector with a winning development model. Industry-leading experts will share their knowledge and experiences in handling private equity deals and building innovative financial solutions to foster investments, particularly in the real estate sector, which has transformed the city over the past two decades.

Track 1 will be an opportunity to take an in-depth look at private equity structures (both under M&A and financial perspectives) and real estate deals and developments that have characterised the past year, with a closer look at current trends and common pitfalls.
Track 2: Dispute resolution in the supply chain and third-party funding
Milan is simultaneously one of the world's fashion capitals, an industrial city, a European hub of luxury and food & beverage distribution, and the home of one of Europe's most renowned arbitration institutions.

In Track 2, we will combine these worlds, focusing on dispute resolution in international trade. We will discuss how best to draft commercial contracts to minimise the risk of disputes and when alternative dispute resolution can be a better solution than litigation.
In addition, we will delve into (alternative) dispute resolution in some specific areas, such as product liability, and examine the complex relationship with different areas of law, including antitrust, intellectual property and insolvency law.
In this context, we will explore third-party financing, a growing phenomenon, particularly in disputes between commercial companies of different jurisdictions.

SPONSORSHIP

We offer several sponsorship possibilities, with the flexibility to select a set sponsorship package or discuss a customised package to best suit your business needs. Be a part of AIJA's 2025 Half-Year May Conference in Milan today. Click here to know more about the sponsorship packages.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

AIJA Commissions involved
  • Antitrust
  • Banking, Finance and Capital Markets
  • Corporate and M&A
  • Healthcare and Life Sciences
  • Insolvency
  • Intellectual Property, Technology, Media, and Telecommunications
  • International Arbitration
  • Litigation
  • Real Estate
  • T.R.A.D.E. (Trade, Retail, Agency, Distribution, E-commerce)

Programme

TRACK 1 - Re-shaping Cities: Private Equity, Real Estate, and Finance as Key Industries for Fast-Growing Cities.

14:00 - 17:00

14:00 - 20:00

14:00 - 16:00

17:15 - 18:15

18:30 - 20:30

07:00 - 08:00

08:00 - 18:00

09:00 - 10:00

10:00 - 10:15

10:15 - 11:15

Organised by the Corporate and M&A and Real Estate Commissions

A Keynote speaker from Milan on the impact of these industries on the city of Milan.
11:15 - 11:45

11:45 - 13:00

Organised by the Corporate and M&A and Tax Law Commissions

In this session, we aim to lay down some basics of a PE investment (especially for those who do not work with PE transactions on a daily basis) but also discuss the most critical issues and common pitfalls in PE investments. The speakers will share practical advice on how to navigate these challenges, offering insider perspectives on deal negotiation, structuring, and risk management.
13:00 - 14:00

14:00 - 15:15

Organised by the Banking,Finance and Capital Markets, Corporate and M&A, Real Estate and Tax Law Commissions

In this session, we will learn about different ways to structure a corporation to mitigate risk, e.g., club deals, how to build them, and what the boundaries are not to fall into regulated markets. We will also look into other risks, e.g. credit risks and tax issues.
15:15 - 15:30

15:30 - 16:30

Organised by the Banking, Finance and Capital Markets, Corporate and M&A, Public Procurement Law, Real Estate and Tax Law Commissions

In this session, we explore how sustainable finance is being used to drive urban transformation, with a focus on fast-growing cities, including Milan. It will cover innovative financial instruments like green bonds and ESG-focused private equity strategies that are shaping the real estate and private equity landscapes.
16:30 - 17:00

17:00 - 18:00

17:00 - 18:00

17:00 - 18:00

19:30 - 02:00

08:00 - 19:00

09:00 - 10:00

Organised by the Public Procurement Law and Real Estate Commissions

This panel will focus on significant renovation and development projects and urban plans able to reshape the cities involved and also focus on the challenges of the permitting phase, a phase that can dictate both the timing and the success of the project. A case study from Milan City will be presented.
10:00 - 10:15

10:15 - 11:15

Organised by the Banking, Finance and Capital Markets and Corporate and M&A Commissions

This panel will delve into the intricacies of managing a PE fund exit. Topics will cover the full spectrum of the exit process, including timing considerations, maximising valuation, choosing the right exit strategy (IPO, strategic sale, or secondary buyout), and navigating regulatory and market challenges. The speakers will share insights on optimising returns, aligning with investor expectations, and addressing post-exit considerations for lasting impact.
11:15 - 11:45

11:45 - 13:00

13:00 - 14:00

14:00 - 14:45

14:45 - 15:30

15:30 - 16:15

16:15 - 16:30

16:30 - 17:15

17:15 - 18:45

20:00 - 23:30

23:30 - 03:00

09:00 - 13:00

10:00 - 11:00

11:00 - 11:30

11:30 - 13:00

14:30 - 16:30

19:30 - 02:00

TRACK 2 - Dispute resolution in the supply chain and third-party funding

14:00 - 17:00

14:00 - 20:00

14:00 - 16:00

17:15 - 18:15

18:30 - 20:30

07:00 - 08:00

08:00 - 18:00

09:00 - 10:00

10:00 - 10:15

10:15 - 11:15

Organised by the International Arbitration, Antitrust and T.R.A.D.E (Trade, Retail, Agency, Distribution, E-commerce) Commissions

This panel will focus on the negotiation and drafting of significant contracts in international commercial distribution and the strategic use of ADR clauses.
11:15 - 11:45

11:45 - 13:00

Organised by the In-house Counsel Board

This panel will be dedicated to the world of in-house lawyers. Speakers will discuss contract drafting techniques aimed at mitigating - or at least managing - the risk of litigation within transnational supply chains, also in the light of recent disruptive events and the very rough seas in which international trade navigates, including new tariffs, import-export restrictions and an increasingly delicate political situation.
13:00 - 14:00

14:00 - 15:15

Organised by the International Arbitration and T.R.A.D.E (Trade, Retail, Agency, Distribution, E-commerce) Commissions

This panel will focus on the role of third-party funding in disputes between commercial enterprises, with a particular focus on those disputes arising within the same supply chain. Indeed, recent times have been full of disruptive events that have made it very difficult for business operators to live up to their contractual obligations, creating often economically burdensome chain disputes. In this context, third-party funding is playing an increasingly important role in providing companies with the ability to support such disputes.
15:15 - 15:30

15:30 - 16:30

Organised by the Healthcare and Life Sciences, International Arbitration, Litigation and T.R.A.D.E (Trade, Retail, Agency, Distribution, E-commerce) Commissions

This session will focus on product liability disputes and the question of whether such disputes are preferably settled through arbitration or litigation. This discussion
16:30 - 17:00

17:00 - 18:00

17:00 - 18:00

17:00 - 18:00

19:30 - 02:00

08:00 - 19:00

09:00 - 10:00

Organised by the Litigation and T.R.A.D.E Commissions

This session will be a workshop during which speakers will present participants with some mock cases to refine the use of mediation clauses in international commercial contracts and develop some strategies to better protect clients during the mediation process.
10:00 - 10:15

10:15 - 11:15

Organised by the Litigation, International Arbitration, Insolvency and Intellectual Property, Technology, Media, and Telecommunications Commissions

In industries driven by intellectual property (“IP”), such as fashion, publishing, entertainment, and gaming, the value of a company is often tied to intangible assets like brand identity, copyrights, trademarks, and licenses. When financial distress or insolvency occurs, these assets become critical for stakeholders, including creditors, licensors, and licensees. This panel will, inter alia, explore how such assets may be evaluated, what hurdles arise when it comes to selling IP and how arbitration clauses embedded in licensing and publishing contracts can impact the resolution of disputes in distressed situations, including insolvency, bankruptcy, or restructuring. We will delve into case studies, legal principles, and best practices for safeguarding IP rights during times of financial instability.
11:15 - 11:45

11:45 - 13:00

13:00 - 14:00

14:00 - 14:45

14:45 - 15:30

15:30 - 16:15

16:15 - 16:30

16:30 - 17:15

17:15 - 18:45

20:00 - 23:30

23:30 - 03:00

09:00 - 13:00

10:00 - 11:00

11:00 - 11:30

11:30 - 13:00

14:30 - 16:30

19:30 - 02:00

Fees & General Info

There are currently no registration fees available.

General terms and conditions

By registering you have to accept the general terms and conditions and accept that your registration is considered binding immediately, but participation to the event is possible only after full payment of the registration fee.

Please note that any arrangements related to the participation of the participant in an AIJA event, including but not limited to booking or cancellation of accommodation or flights, as well as respecting the cancellation deadlines indicated in the general terms and conditions, are the sole responsibility of the participant. AIJA shall not be held liable for any expenses the participant may suffer as the result of participant’s failure to comply with his/her obligations.

It is recommended for each participant to purchase a cancellation and travel insurance.

Please note that in-house counsel registrations are subject to review and confirmation by AIJA. AIJA considers in-house counsel professionals who hold a university degree in law allowing access to a bar association and practicing law as an in-house counsel in private, public, or non-profit companies, institutions or organisations. Please note that in-house counsel who are at the same time active as fee-earning lawyers or consultants are not eligible to the discounted in-house counsel fee.

Please read the general terms and conditions applicable for AIJA events.

Scholarships

If you are a lawyer under 35 years old and meet the requirements, apply to our Scholarship Programme for this event. You can check more details here.

Prepare your stay

ACCOMMODATION IN MILAN - NHOW MILANO HOTEL

 

 
 

 

Address: Via Tortona, 35, 20144 Milano MI, Italy

Tel: +39024898861

Email: milano@nhow-hotels.com
 
WEBSITE

Nestled in the heart of Milan’s trendy Via Tortona, NHOW Milano is a chic and contemporary hotel offering a stylish home away from home. Its unique architecture, designed by Matteo Thun, was once the home of General Electric and now serves as an artistic space perfect for exploring Milan’s vibrant Design District. The hotel is just a short walk from the lively Navigli area, MUDEC museum, and the iconic Armani Silos.

With individually designed rooms featuring eclectic furniture and bold color schemes, NHOW Milano provides a vibrant atmosphere perfect for design enthusiasts. Guests can unwind in the Vertigo pool on the rooftop, enjoy delicious Italian cuisine at the luxurious restaurant, or sip cocktails in the lounge bar designed by Karim Rashid. The hotel also offers a state-of-the-art fitness area, flexible meeting spaces, and a commitment to sustainability, making it a prime choice for both business and leisure stays in Milan.
 
AIJA Group Rates:
 
  • Room type: Run of House
  • Rate:
    • Single Occupancy: €229.00 per room, per night (breakfast included, 10% VAT included, city tax excluded (€5.00 per person, per night))
    • Double Occupancy: €259,00 per double room, per night (breakfast included, 10% VAT included, city tax excluded (€5.00 per person, per night))
  • Dates with preferential rates: Please note that preferential rates will be available between 12 May (included) – 17 May (included).  
  • Check-in: 15:00 | Check-out: 12:00. Any early arrival or late departure requests are subject to availability and will cause a charge of one night's room rent plus all applicable taxes and mandatory gratuities. 

Booking Deadline: 16 February 2025 (11:59 PM CET)

After this date, availability may not be guaranteed for all nights or at the preferential rate.

Payment Conditions:

  • One night will be charged to the provided credit card on 17 February 2025.
  • The balance will be settled upon check-in.

Cancellation Policy:

  • Until 16 February 2025: No penalty will be applied.
  • 17 February—7 April 2025: Up to 50% of the booking can be cancelled without penalty; thereafter, a 50% penalty applies.
  • From 8 April 2025: 100% penalty for cancellations or reductions. 

Should you require any assistance with the booking process, the hotel’s reservations team is available at milano@nhow-hotels.com.

BOOK YOUR ROOM HERE AT THE AIJA GROUP RATE

Organising Committee

Gianluca ALBE
Gianluca ALBE A&A – Albè & Associati Studio Legale (ITALY)
Manuel DEAMICI
Manuel DEAMICI Cocuzza & Associati (ITALY)
Giulia GHEZZI
Giulia GHEZZI Niederer Kraft Frey Ltd (SWITZERLAND)
Alessia GIACCARI
Alessia GIACCARI Watson Farley & Williams (ITALY)
Armando PERNA
Armando PERNA Cappelli RCCD Studio Legale (ITALY)
Matilda SJÖLIN
Matilda SJÖLIN NORMA Advokater HB (SWEDEN)
Giuliano STASIO
Giuliano STASIO Studio Legale Dindo, Zorzi & Associati (ITALY)
Silvia VAN SCHAIK
Silvia VAN SCHAIK bureau Brandeis (NETHERLANDS)

Sponsors

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Your data will be managed by AIJA's General Services, Events and Accounts Section:

  • For the purpose of administering your registration for the event and your on-site access to the event;
  • In order to pay for the selected services - your bank details will be deleted after receipt of your payment;
  • In order to communicate information messages from AIJA.

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Data relating to your participation in the event shall be stored for a period of 10 years. We are obliged to archive billing data until the end of the period required for our tax and accounting obligations, i.e. for 7 full tax years.

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