ITALIAN EMPLOYMENT LAW | ITALIAN LABOR LAW
30+ Years of Experience Navigating Italian Workplace Law
Through Good And Bad Times
WORKPLACE LAW FOR EMPLOYERS & EXECUTIVES
National & Cross Border Counsel | 365 Days a Year
Why a boutique law firm?
Italy is known for its extreme complexity in terms of the management of employment relationships, both for the multitude of nuances in the regulations (not always clear or easy to interpret) and for the potential negative consequences, possibly touching both economic aspects and public image, which companies may risk if the wrong decision, or decision not in line with employment and labour law regulations, is taken.
It is for this reason, as historical research also reveals, that both national and international companies prefer to work with boutique law firms which are specialized in employment law - where they can find the professionals which are exclusively dedicated to the subject matter offering exacting knowledge, efficiency and professionalism which are essential for solving the relevant and complex workplace issues they face on a daily basis.
Failla&Partners
Failla&Partners is an internationally recognized award-winning Law Firm exclusively specialized in Employment & Labour Law. Based in Milan, Italy, the team is guided by the 30+ years of experience of its Founder and Managing Partner Luca Failla, who is recognized both nationally and internationally for his strategic legal counsel and unique experience in the field.
Italian labor law is always a complex challenge for foreign businesses; a layered system of regulations built up over the years, with strong protections for workers’ rights. Today, amid new economic challenges, we find the Italian Labour market undergoing a profound transformation. As employers and their legal counsel survey a new landscape of work and productivity, a close partnership between the two parties is critical to ensuring business continuity and safeguarding employment wherever possible.
With this approach, Failla&Partners has positioned itself as a premier Italian Employment & Labour Law boutique dedicated to supporting multinationals and foreign Clients in navigating the complexities of Italian employment law.
By providing strategic guidance, the firm helps clients mitigate employment and reputational risks, ensuring the smooth and successful operation of their business activities in Italy.
Our philosophy
In line with our philosophy, a modern labor law firm like Failla&Partners must work in close partnership with companies, offering tailored solutions at every step.
This approach not only reduces personnel management risks but also ensures that labor law regulations are leveraged to support and strengthen business operations.
At every step, Failla&Partners provides businesses with practical solutions capable of resolving problems in the most effective way.
The firm focuses on reducing all risks associated with workforce management in Italy, including reputational risks.
Our clients
The team provides assistance to multinationals and foreign Clients (Companies and International Funds) in all areas of Italian Employment and Labour Law — both throughout the country and internationally. Failla&Partners supports Clients in all day-to-day activities, including:
- Sensitive M&As, reorganizations, and restructuring processes
- Litigations and layoffs
- Consultancy and managing disciplinary procedures
- Handling dismissals, internal investigations, and whistleblowing
- Know-how and unfair competition protection
- Data privacy
- Drafting employment contracts, company policies, and ethic codes
- Immigration matters
- And much more
Luca Failla - Founding & Managing Partner
Luca Failla, the Founder and Managing Partner of Failla&Partners, has over 30 years of experience exclusively dedicated to providing counsel on Italian Employment & Labour Law. He is recognized both nationally and internationally for his work, particularly for his successful management of sensitive reorganizations and restructuring projects, as well as for expertly setting Italian case-law precedents.
His many accolades include: Italian Litigation Lawyer of the Year 2024, 2023, 2022 (LegalCommunity), Italian Labour Litigation Lawyer of the Year 2023, 2023 (TopLegal), and 2020 (AIDP). This is in addition to the recognition that Failla regularly receives each year in the leading independent international legal guides, such as Chambers Europe, Legal 500, Who’s Who Legal, and Best Lawyers among many others.
Failla regularly shares his knowledge not only as a Professor of Italian Employment Law at the LUM Giuseppe De Gennaro Bari University, one of the leading private law schools in the country, but also through seminars, conferences, published articles, and the many books he has authored (SEE CURRICULUM).
Internationally, Luca Failla is renowned for his experience as Co-Founder and former Managing Partner for more than 15 years at LABLAW, one of Italy's most prominent and internationally acclaimed employment law firms, also honored as the European Niche Law Firm of the Year by The Lawyer Magazine.
In recent years, Luca Failla has successfully managed some of the most sensitive litigation cases, layoffs, and restructuring plans, building extensive experience in the field and providing his Clients with unparalleled support in these matters.
Team
Our lawyers
Press review
15 September 2025
Ipsoa Quotidiano
Pay transparency: a new law for fairness in Italy coming down the road
15 August 2025
IEL - International Employment Lawyer
Italy’s Constitutional Court lifts unfair dismissal indemnification cap
23 June 2025
Ipsoa Quotidiano
Italian Workers' Participation in Business Management: A Historic Turning Point
05 May 2025
Quotidiano Più
What happened to remote work?
Accolades
2026 - Eminent National Boutique
Dedicated labour and employment boutique Failla&Partners is led by the highly regarded Luca Failla in Milan.
Marcello Buzzini and Elisabetta Cassaneti are other key names at the firm.
In recognition of its prowess, the firm achieved the final shortlist in the Boutique Law Firm of the Year category at the 2025 IEL Awards.
Clients say:
"The team at Failla&Partners is very good"
Specialisms:
The firm’s dedicated labour and employment focus enables it to offer significant capabilities across the gamut of related issues, from employment contracts through to representation before the Italian Supreme Court.
As part of its offering, the firm advises on the employment ramifications of strategic corporate projects, including M&A and restructurings.
Meanwhile, the boutique demonstrates skill in contentious mandates, including in allegations raised by trade unions.
For example, the team acted for Adecco on a claim before a Venice court against three former members of staff accused of taking trade secrets to a competitor.
Delicate internal investigations are another area of practice for the group, including those involving highly sensitive allegations with criminal law ramifications.
Meanwhile, the boutique supports several major clients with day-to-day HR matters, including dismissals, disciplinary proceedings, and modifications of working relationships.
Other areas of expertise include issues relating to senior executives, immigration, smart working, health and safety, D&I, pensions, and social security.
2025 - Italian Employment Lawyer of the Year | Luca Failla
"Luca Failla has led innovative labor litigation, setting precedents at the EU and national levels."
"He stands out for his proactive approach to labor market transformation, promoting new organizational models."
2025 - Lawyer of the Year Litigaton | Luca Failla
"The Founding Partner is one of the most renowned labor lawyers in Italy and, in addition to his outstanding track record, especially in litigation, he has recently also distinguished himself for his proactive commitment to the evolution of the concept of work," said LegalCommunity when presenting the Italian Labor Litigation Lawyer of the Year 2025 award to Luca Failla.
2025 - Italian Employment Law | Leading Firm
Legal 500 EMEA 2025 has recognised Failla&Partners for their Italian Employment Law counsel.
In their words:
Offering customised, strategic solutions’, Failla&Partners is advising in the increasingly active areas of downsizings and internal investigations, including in overseas companies.
In addition, the firm regularly advises on employment issues relating to reorganisations, social security, immigration, executive benefits and disciplinary procedures.
Its clients include national and international organisations as well as executives.
Clients have been quoted saying:
- 'Failla Law Firm offers flexibility, quick response times, and an innovative approach to solving complex legal issues.'
- 'Our collaboration with Failla Law Firm has been exceptional due to their deep understanding of our business needs and the specific context of our industry.'
- 'High professional level and always ready to understand different and complicated issues that we manage, defining and proposing the right solutions.'
Case history
Recent Projects
The Failla&Partners team has decades of experience working together to provide strategic counsel to clients on numerous corporate reorganizations and complex litigations at the national and international levels. Click on the link below to discover examples of some of our recent work helping clients navigate a wide range of simple and complex workplace matters.
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