Farewell to Sergio Erede, master of corporate law and big business

Sergio Erede, one of Italy's best-known business lawyers, has passed away at the age of 86. A true master of the profession, who followed some of the most important financial and industrial issues on the front line, from Olivetti's takeover of Telecom to the privatization of Autostrade. In 1999 he founded, together with Franco Bonelli and Aurelio Pappalardo, the law firm Bonelli Erede Pappalardo.

Born in 1940 in Florence, Sergio Erede graduated with 110 cum laude in 1962 from the State University of Milan. After obtaining a Master of Laws from Harvard Law School (1964), he began practicing law in 1967, establishing himself over the years as one of the most important business lawyers in the country. In 1969 he founded the Erede Bianchi firm, which later became Erede e Associati in 1995, known for its activity in the fields of mergers and acquisitions, capital markets and related litigation. In 1999 he founded, together with Franco Bonelli and Aurelio Pappalardo, the law firm Bonelli Erede Pappalardo, which later became Bonelli Erede.

Protagonist in the main financial and industrial matches

In over half a century of his career, he has followed operations such as Olivetti's takeover bid for Telecom Italia, the merger between Luxottica and Essilor, Generali's takeover bid for Ina, the acquisition of Endesa by Enel and Acciona. And, again, the privatization of Rome's Autostrade and Aeroporti, the listings of Enel and Finmeccanica, the acquisition of Seat by Telecom and that of Telecom Italia by Pirelli and the Benetton group.

Man of culture, passionate music lover and sophisticated reader

«We remember him with profound gratitude, aware of the professional and cultural legacy he leaves us», reads a note from BonelliErede. «We are confident that the new generations of BonelliErede professionals will be able to continue with the same passion and determination the path that the lawyer Erede opened when he founded the firm twenty-seven years ago». «On behalf of all the people of BonelliErede, we express our most sincere closeness to his family and loved ones, to whom we address our thoughts in this moment of great pain». Erede is considered a master and an example for entire generations of professionals. His legacy, the pursuit of excellence, the determination even in the face of seemingly impossible undertakings, will remain a lesson imprinted not only in the history of the firm. For those who had the privilege of knowing him - his colleagues write - he was not only a professional of exceptional value. Under the rigorous guise of the business lawyer, spare of words, there was a man of culture, full of curiosity and interests, a sophisticated reader, a passionate melomaniac.