Finance
A&o Shearman Promotes Francesca Croci and Chiara De Luca to Partners for M&A
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 17, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 17, 2026
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Quick Summary
A&O Shearman will elevate Francesca Croci and Chiara De Luca to partners in its Italian M&A team effective May 1, 2026, in its global round of 33 promotions. The moves boost the firm’s Italy partnership to 17 amid strategic growth in private equity and energy & infrastructure.
A&O Shearman Names Francesca Croci and Chiara De Luca as M&A Partners in Italy
Key Promotions and Impact on A&O Shearman's Italian M&A Practice
Overview of the Promotions
MILAN, April 17 (Reuters) - A&O Shearman has promoted Francesca Croci and Chiara De Luca to partners in its mergers and acquisitions practice in Italy, effective May 1, the law firm said on Friday.
The promotions are part of A&O Shearman's latest global partner round, which saw 33 lawyers being promoted, including 14 in continental Europe.
With the two appointments, the firm's partnership in Italy rises to 17.
About Francesca Croci
Professional Background
Croci, based in Milan, joined the firm's M&A practice in 2012 and has more than a decade of experience advising Italian and international clients on complex transactions, with a particular focus on private equity.
Expertise and Client Focus
She regularly advises large‑ and mid‑cap investment funds on majority and minority acquisitions, exits and preferred equity structures.
About Chiara De Luca
Professional Background
De Luca joined in 2015 and works between Milan and Rome. She advises mainly corporate clients on a wide range of inbound, outbound and cross‑border M&A transactions, as well as joint ventures and take‑private deals, with a focus on the energy and infrastructure sector.
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Valentina Za, editing by Alvise Armellini)
Key Takeaways
- •Francesca Croci, based in Milan since joining in 2012, is recognised for her decade‑plus experience advising private equity clients on complex M&A deals, including acquisitions, exits and preferred equity structures (aoshearman.com).
- •Chiara De Luca, a dual‑qualified counsel in Italy and New York since joining in 2015, advises on cross‑border and inbound/outbound M&A, joint ventures and take‑private transactions, particularly in energy and infrastructure (aoshearman.com).
- •Their promotions are part of A&O Shearman’s global partner round promoting 33 lawyers effective May 1, 2026—including 14 in continental Europe—raising the Italian partnership headcount to 17 (aoshearman.com).
References
Frequently Asked Questions about A&O Shearman promotes Francesca Croci and Chiara De Luca to partners for M&A
1Who has A&O Shearman promoted to partner roles in Italy?
A&O Shearman has promoted Francesca Croci and Chiara De Luca to partner roles in its Italian M&A practice.
2When will the partner promotions at A&O Shearman take effect?
The promotions at A&O Shearman will be effective from May 1.
3How many lawyers were promoted globally in A&O Shearman's latest partner round?
A&O Shearman promoted 33 lawyers globally, including 14 in continental Europe.
4What is Francesca Croci's area of expertise?
Francesca Croci specializes in advising on complex M&A transactions, particularly in private equity.
5What sectors does Chiara De Luca focus on?
Chiara De Luca focuses on energy, infrastructure, joint ventures, and cross-border M&A transactions.
