MILAN – June 16, 2025 – Greenberg Traurig, LLP continued its strategic growth in Milan with the arrival of Giuseppe Bulgarini d'Elci, a leading figure in employment law, as a shareholder, together with his esteemed team: Counsel Roberta Cristaldi, Senior Associate Chiara Schirru, and Associate Giuseppe Fera, who join from Watson Farley & Williams. Virginia Allen also joins in London as a shareholder and head of the UK Employment Practice. She was previously the national head of employment law at EY.
Bulgarini d'Elci has held key leadership roles at top international and Italian law firms, advising multinational corporations and leading Italian companies on all aspects of employment law, industrial relations, and compliance. With over 25 years of experience, he is recognised for his deep sector expertise and pragmatic approach, particularly in complex employment litigation, including individual and collective dismissals, disciplinary matters, breaches of noncompete clauses, and secondments. Bulgarini d'Elci is skilled in guiding companies through intricate information and consultation processes with trade unions, as well as providing strategic counsel on employment issues in business transfers and M&A transactions.
Beyond his legal practice, Bulgarini d'Elci is a contributor to Il Sole 24 Ore, a commentator on RAI Radio1, and a sought-after speaker and instructor at industry seminars and master programs. He is an active member of the Italian Labour Lawyers Association (AGI) and the European Employment Lawyers Association (EELA), and is consistently recognised as one of Italy’s most respected labour law experts by leading legal directories such as Chambers Europe and Legal 500.
Allen is proficient at advising clients on significant transactions and disputes including multijurisdictional matters. Allen regularly handles contentious matters such as claims for unfair dismissal, discrimination, harassment and whistleblowing, as well as High Court employee competition disputes. She also provides U.K. advisory support on a broad range of employment matters, including hiring, performance management, grievances, disciplinary matters, and exits, among others. She regularly counsels multinational companies on global projects including business transformations, global cross-border matters, and employment structures, as well as advising on and conducting complex and sensitive employee investigations.
“This is a rare and timely opportunity to welcome Giuseppe, whose outstanding reputation, decades of experience in Italian and international employment law, and deep sector knowledge make him an ideal fit for Greenberg Traurig’s collaborative culture. Virginia’s experience as a leader in the U.K. advising employers on some of their most significant and challenging issues makes her an asset to the firm,” said Richard A. Rosenbaum, Executive Chairman of Greenberg Traurig. “The firm has one of the leading employment practices in the U.S. and we continue to build out a high-quality capability in this area around the globe. Giuseppe and Virginia’s arrival strengthens our position as leading legal advisers in the U.K., Italy, and elsewhere in Europe, fostering close synergy with our Corporate, M&A, Litigation, and Compliance practices, and supporting our ongoing commitment to providing exceptional counsel to clients across markets and industries.”
“The addition of Giuseppe and his team and Virginia reflects the continued growth and ambition of our employment practice across EMEA,” added Meira Ferziger and Anna Hałas-Krawczyk, Labor & Employment vice chairs for Europe and the Middle East. “As client demand for integrated, cross-border employment support continues to rise, we are committed to building a team that combines deep local knowledge with an international perspective. Our new colleagues bring exactly that blend, enhancing our ability to deliver consistent, high-quality advice across the region, and we are delighted to welcome them to the team.”
Cristaldi is an experienced employment law counsel who advises on the full spectrum of human resources management issues, with a particular focus on contentious employment matters, collective dismissals, and agency relations. Schirru is a senior associate specializing in both contentious and advisory employment matters, with notable expertise in data protection, discrimination litigation, and day-to-day labour law support. Fera is an associate with proven expertise in employment and labour law, assisting Italian and international clients on a wide range of judicial and nonjudicial matters, including executive employment and data protection issues.
“Greenberg Traurig is dedicated to providing clients with top-tier counsel in every major area of law,” said Luigi Santa Maria, co-Managing Shareholder of Greenberg Traurig Milan. “The addition of Giuseppe and his team marks a significant milestone in the development of our Italian Employment Practice and complements our multidisciplinary offering in Milan. Their expertise will be invaluable for our clients navigating the increasingly complex labour law landscape in Italy and across Europe.”
Bulgarini d’Elci remarked: “Becoming part of Greenberg Traurig represents a logical and exciting progression for our team. The firm’s international reach, strong culture of collaboration, and dedication to quality resonate with our professional philosophy. We look forward to supporting the Milan office’s continued growth and collaborating with our new colleagues throughout Europe and around the globe.”
Fiona Adams, Greenberg Traurig Executive Vice President, said: “Virginia’s arrival continues to significantly strengthen our ability in London to support clients across the full spectrum of employment matters — from day-to-day advisory work to complex transactions and contentious matters. With deep experience and a truly global outlook, Virginia is a great fit for our internationally focused client base, reinforcing our commitment to delivering seamless, high-quality employment advice across jurisdictions.”
“I am excited to join Greenberg Traurig, a firm known for its innovative spirit, collaborative culture, and commitment to excellence,” Allen said. “The opportunity to work alongside a premier global employment team, and to contribute to the continued growth of the London office, is an exceptional one. Greenberg Traurig’s international platform and multidisciplinary capabilities provide a unique environment in which to deliver outstanding results for clients facing complex, cross-border employment challenges. I look forward to working with my new colleagues across the firm to support our clients in the U.K., throughout Europe, and around the world.”