The Luxury Law Alliance and Summit’s Post

At least six law firms have been called in to assist as Swiss-based Richemont agreed to sell its struggling digital business YOOX NET-A-PORTER (YNAP) to German online retailer Mytheresa. Richemont, owner of jewellers Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, has been searching for a solution to divest YNAP after a deal with e-commerce group Farfetch collapsed in December. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2025. Richemont is advised by an integrated team of four law firms led by Slaughter and May alongside Italy’s Gatti Pavesi Bianchi Ludovici, Dutch firm De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek and Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP. Baker McKenzie is serving as co-counsel to Mytheresa alongside Latham & Watkins. Slaughter and May’s team includes corporate partners Robert Innes and Richard Hilton, competition partner William Turtle, technology partner David Ives, tax partner Charles Osborne, financing partner Edward Fife, and employment partner Philippa O'Malley. Gatti Pavesi Bianchi Ludovici is led by partners Franco Barucci and Amélie Gillet; De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek is led by partners Michael Schouten and Casper Nagtegaal; and Cravath is led by partner George Stephanakis. Baker McKenzie – which is advising Mytheresa and its supervisory board on strategy and structuring matters, Dutch governance and corporate law, US securities and capital markets, Dutch banking and finance law, and Italian tax matters – is led by partners Bernhard Trappehl, Roger Bivans, Rebecca Kuipers-Zimmerman and Francesco Pisciotta. Latham & Watkins also advised Mytheresa with a team led by partners Stefano Sciolla and Giovanni Battista Sandicchi, with associates Giulio Palazzo, Milena Raffaldi, and Lorenzo Cappelli. https://lnkd.in/eXvNY6-P

Congratulations to Grégorie Bouffard who has been promoted to general counsel at French hotel brand owner Louvre Hotels Group, effective 1 October. Bouffard has been with the group since 2018 when he joined as director of legal operations, before becoming legal director in 2023. In his newly expanded role, he will be responsible for promoting and supporting the group’s development, working closely with CEO Frederico Gonzalez. Naterre, France-based Louvre owns several hotel brands ranging from the budget Premiere Classe and Kyriad Direct to premium and luxury hotels including Royal Tulip, Sarovar and TemptingPlaces. Louvre is owned by Chinese tourism and hospitality group Shanghai Jinjiang International Hotels Development Co., Ltd. https://lnkd.in/eUBqUgYw

After a 13-year legal battle, luxury automaker BMW scored a victory over Swiss-based Beacon Navigation in a patent dispute over vehicle navigation technology. In September, US district judge Mark Goldsmith granted summary judgment ruling that BMW had not infringed the ’511 patent through its improved vehicle navigation systems. In a separate ruling on the validity of the patent, Goldsmith granted in part and denied in part BMW’s motion for summary judgment. The invalidity counterclaim is still pending in this case. Lionel Lavenue, Reston-based partner at Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP, represented BMW. Michigan-based IP lawyer Jay Schloff of Aidenbaum Schloff and Bloom PLLC represented Beacon, along with TechKnowledge Law Group. https://lnkd.in/gBqpiSbs

It’s a full house at the launch of the Luxury Boutique Milan Masterclass today. We are delighted to see so many of our luxury friends at this inaugural event in the glamorous surroundings of Dolce & Gabbana. Legal counsel from a range of brands shared their views on the latest challenges they are facing with AI, distribution trends, litigation, real estate and sustainability just a few of the issues covered. We also heard from our keynote speaker Simone Pallesi, CEO, Castiglion del Bosca on what shapes a luxury experience in the hospitality sector. We are grateful to our speakers from a wide range of luxury brands including Prada Group, Fendi, L’Oreal, Richemont, Google, Watches of Switzerland Group PLC, SheCanHeCan, Molteni&C and Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. A big thank you to our wonderful Masterclass partners at Benesch Law, Bird & Bird Italy, Cervieri Monsuárez, Countercheck, K&L Gates, Keith Markel, Morrison Cohen; Oracle Solicitors, Perkins Coie, Portolano Cavallo and White & Case LLP. Last but most definately not least, we are indebted to our magnificent Chair Niccolò Pallesi, Ferretti Group whose expertise, generosity and ideas contributed in no small way to making this event a reality. And to our Masterclass partners, Cipriani, led by the wonderful Arrigo Cipriani whose delicious food has sustained us through many events. #LuxuryLawSummit #Milan #NewYork #fashionlaw #generalcounsel #lawfirms

We are extending the deadline for the Luxury Law Awards New York to midnight on Thursday, October 3. You still have time to nominate yourself, your team, your organization, or others and recognize their talents and successes over the past year. There are seven categories, and we are inviting nominations for individuals and organizations from #luxurybrands, including: Luxury Leader of the Year (Sponsored by DLA Piper) Corporate Counsel of the Year (Sponsored by Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP) Legal Department of the Year (Sponsored by Henries PLLC) Fashion Entrepreneur (Sponsored by Reed Smith LLP) Rising Star (Sponsored by Foley & Lardner LLP) Fashion Counsel of the Year (Sponsored by McCarthy Tétrault) It’s free to nominate, and it will only take a few minutes of your valuable time. This is a unique opportunity for individuals, teams, or organizations to gain recognition for their specialist skills and expertise in the #luxury sector. To view the categories and how to nominate click here https://lnkd.in/e_AQjsKr #luxurylaw

A second round of applause for our Alliance partner Foley & Lardner LLP and its Fashion, Apparel & Beauty (FAB) practice - the Carla Fernández Casa de Moda fashion show in Mexico City was the perfect way to cap off a great #IBA2024 week. We're grateful to Laura Ganoza, Jeffrey Greene John Mezquia and Taylor Pollock for your partnership with us. We're looking forward to seeing you in New York on 19 November for our next Luxury Law Summit. Global Legal Post #IBAMexicoCity #partnership #collaboration #fashion #apparel #beauty Claudia Tan Jasminder Soor John Malpas Mary Heaney Maria Sunderland https://lnkd.in/gNb7hCf7

We are delighted to announce that Countercheck will be sponsoring the drinks reception at the Luxury Law Boutique Milan Masterclass. Thank you for your support! Exclusive to general counsel and in-house legal teams from luxury brands, click here to see how you can join us in Milan: https://lnkd.in/eZcxCSMm 

Join us for a deep dive into the current trends at the intersection of law and business. Irene Picciano of Portolano Cavallo will interview Portincasa Maria Francesca, Head of Legal at Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A., to discuss the critical challenges faced by in-house legal teams as their role becomes increasingly strategic for business success. Places are now limited! General counsel or in-house legal teams from luxury brands.  To view the agenda and details of how you can join us on 30 September in Milan, click here https://lnkd.in/eGBzcuSA