Leadership
Giovannella D’Andrea
Founding Partner
Harold Wouters
Angela Grassi
Strategic Advisory Board
Strategic Advisor
Paolo Valentino
Based in Brussels, the leadership of D’Andrea Wouters Grassi consists of the founding partners of the firm. With more than 70 years of experience gained in the international arena, assisting public and private clients in all regulatory, legal, financial and transactional aspects of their activities, the founding partners bring a wealth of expertise spanning from the legal and financial structuring of projects through the recourse to corporate finance, project finance, Private Public Partnerships, co-financing of EU funds and/or other International donors, to the provisions of regulatory advise to ensure compliance with EU and International laws and standards. Their deep understanding of complex legal frameworks allows them to provide strategic guidance and tailored solutions to both corporate and public clients operating in global markets.
Comprising of distinguished international leaders and experts in their respective fields, our Strategic Advisors provide strategic support and ensure alignment with key objectives and governance standards.
Alan Jones
Giovannella is a senior EU and international regulatory and transactional lawyer with over 30 years of experience. Having advised more than 40 governments, EU institutions, and regional bodies on legislative reforms and their implementation, she supports public and private entities in structuring and implementing infrastructure and industrial projects by drawing on in-depth knowledge of EU and international regulatory frameworks across sectors such as energy (including renewables, hydrogen, nuclear, electricity, gas, oil and flexible electricity markets), transport (road, railway, shipping, aviation), waste and circular economy, research and development, sustainable finance and competition. Giovannella has pioneering experience in the flexible mechanisms of the Kyoto Protocol and any other instruments supporting climate finance and impact investments, including the Green, Social & Sustainable Bonds and PPP models aimed at achieving SDGs. Previously European Counsel at the corporate and energy department of LeBoeuf Lamb Greene & MacRae’s London office, in 2004 Giovannella founded B-Legal Studio Legale Internazionale in Rome, a firm specialising in providing services to regulated industries, such as energy, telecom and media and insurance. In 2010, she became European Counsel at LXL LLP in London, a boutique firm specialising in energy, power, and infrastructure projects. From 2020 to June 2024, she was Of Counsel at Grimaldi Alliance (Brussels), where she deepened her knowledge on EU regulations on cutting edge sectors. Native speaker of Italian. Fluent in English, French, Spanish. Fluent in understanding and reading Portuguese.
Harold is a distinguished senior corporate and financial lawyer with over 40 years of international experience. Renowned for his extensive cross-border practice, Harold specializes in private equity, project finance, corporate finance, mergers & acquisitions, joint ventures, investment structuring, establishment of investment funds, project structuring, asset-backed financing, securities law, acquisition finance and renewable energy. He has provided legal counsel on complex transactions across multiple jurisdictions, including Europe, the United States, Mexico, the Democratic Republic of Congo, other African nations, and the People’s Republic of China. Harold has held partner positions at prestigious law firms such as Dorsey & Whitney LLP, a leading U.S. practice, and Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP, a top-tier British firm. From 2001 to 2019, he served as a director of the European Biomass Industry Association, where he gained deep insights into the biomass sector and established an extensive professional network within the industry.
Founding Partner
Founding Partner
Angela is the Managing Director of ETA-Florence, with a strong background in Project Management, Economics and Political Science. She has over 20 years of experience in organising and managing high-level international conferences and exhibitions in the field of renewable energies. Since 2000, she has led the organisation of the annual European Biomass Conference and Exhibition and serves as a member of the Executive Committee for various international conferences.
Strategic Advisor
Alan is a senior international business lawyer with over 35 years of experience in corporate, finance, and commercial transactions. He has advised governments, state-owned enterprises, publicly listed companies, and private entities on large-scale projects, providing guidance through all phases of transactions, from negotiation to dispute resolution. Previously a partner and head of the Energy and Natural Resources Group at Clifford Chance, he went on to become Joint Managing Partner of LeBoeuf Lamb Greene & MacRae’s London office. In 2003, Alan founded LXL LLP, which has since grown into a leading boutique firm, known for its expertise in energy, power, and infrastructure projects, along with its work in complex international arbitration.
Paolo, a renowned journalist with the Corriere della Sera since 1984, possesses a deep understanding of international political dynamics and a proven ability to distil complex global developments. He has covered pivotal events such as the fall of the USSR, shifts in German leadership, and the election of Barack Obama, and has interviewed leaders such as Angela Merkel, Vladimir Putin, and Barack Obama. A recipient of the prestigious Nieman Fellowship at Harvard University, he brings expertise in geopolitics, policy analysis, and strategic communication, relevant to international matters and the intersection of law, media, and public affairs.
Senior Counsels
Consultants
International Legal, Project Finance & Corporate Transactions Expert
Civil and Transport Infrastructure Projects Expert
International Legal, Compliance, Geopolitics and Tax Consultant
Alan Jones
Sergio Polizzotti
Pietrojan Gilardini
Claudia Beretta
Angelika Karpa
Flavien Ichiyanagi
Our senior counsels bring a blend of experience, deep understanding, and fresh perspectives, enabling us to address complex challenges with agility and precision. Their combined expertise ensures that we deliver strategic, multilateral solutions, providing comprehensive support and tailored advice throughout every stage of our clients’ projects, from initial planning to successful completion and compliance.
Western Balkan Geopolitics and Projects Expert
Dragutin Mitrović
Our consultants bring a blend of experience, deep understanding, and fresh perspectives, enabling us to address complex challenges with agility and precision. Their combined expertise ensures that we deliver strategic, multilateral solutions, providing comprehensive support and tailored advice throughout every stage of our clients’ projects, from initial planning to successful completion and compliance.
Alan is a senior international business lawyer with over 35 years of experience in corporate, finance, and commercial transactions. He has advised governments, state-owned enterprises, publicly listed companies, and private entities on large-scale projects, providing guidance through all phases of transactions, from negotiation to dispute resolution. Previously a partner and head of the Energy and Natural Resources Group at Clifford Chance, he went on to become Joint Managing Partner of LeBoeuf Lamb Greene & MacRae’s London office. In 2003, Alan founded LXL LLP, which has since grown into a leading boutique firm, known for its expertise in energy, power, and infrastructure projects, along with its work in complex international arbitration.
Dragutin is a senior consultant in strategic advisory and public affairs with over 20 years of experience. He has advised governments, multinational corporations, and regional bodies on aligning policies and regulatory frameworks with EU standards, particularly in the context of Montenegro's integration efforts. Dragutin has supported both public and private entities in facilitating cross-border collaborations, focusing on infrastructure, energy, and industrial projects. His contributions were instrumental in the successful implementation of the Italy-Montenegro electrical interconnection, aligning regulatory standards and fostering cooperation between the countries. Dragutin holds a distinguished reputation for advancing economic ties between Montenegro and the EU, emphasising cultural and strategic connections.
Pietrojan previously worked in private equity at Star Capital, a €800 million infrastructure fund. Prior to that, he spent 10 years at Deutsche Bank, leading mergers and acquisitions as well as financing transactions within the telecommunications team. He also worked at the Boston Consulting Group. He holds an MBA from Columbia University, specialising in Environmental Law, and a degree in Engineering and Economics from Oxford University. He is fluent in French, Spanish, and Italian, and is conversational in German.
Sergio has 35 years of experience in managing civil works and transport infrastructure projects, specialising in infrastructure network analyses, feasibility studies, project finance, PPP, and economic and financial analysis of transport infrastructures in developing and transition countries. He has served as a Senior Consultant for international organisations (World Bank, ADB, AfDB, EBRD, EIB) and the Italian Ministries of Infrastructure and Transport and of Foreign Affairs, gaining extensive experience in technical assistance, large-scale project monitoring, and leadership in project management and technical training in the road construction sector.
Corporate Finance Expert in Energy, Healthcare and Telecommunications
Expert in Sustainable & Cultural Project Development in Africa
Policy and Regulatory Consultant
Flavien is an international legal and tax professional with over 5 years of experience. He has advised clients across diverse sectors on navigating geopolitical, regulatory, and public relations challenges, leveraging his expertise in international legal frameworks. In his capacity as Co-Founder and Senior Partner at Autran Group, a boutique geopolitical consultancy, he guides public and private entities in structuring cross-border transactions, tax optimisation, and compliance strategies. Flavien has experience in managing multinational teams and delivering strategic advice on international business law, commercial law, and tax law, ensuring clients achieve their strategic objectives in complex global markets.
Claudia is an expert in managing projects related to climate and sustainable development, with extensive knowledge of EU external action institutions and policies. She has nearly 20 years of experience living and working across the African continent, including in Tunisia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Eswatini, and Rwanda, allowing her to develop a deep understanding of regional dynamics and challenges.
Angelika is a policy and regulatory expert with over 4 years of experience across the public and private sectors. She specialises in climate policy, sustainability, as well as space and defence affairs, bringing a comprehensive understanding of these complex and evolving fields.
François Deslierres
Senior Counsel
François, a dual citizen of Canada and France, is a distinguished senior business lawyer with over five decades of international legal experience. He holds an LLM in Comparative Public and Private International Law from the Institut des Hautes Études Internationales at Université Paris 2 Panthéon-Sorbonne and a Juris Doctor (JD) in Law from Université de Montréal. A former member of the Montreal and Paris Bars until 2017, his extensive expertise spans a diverse range of legal fields, including international contracts, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate law, investments, international arbitration, tax planning, aviation law, real estate, and construction law.
Ada Kongoli
Senior Counsel
Ada, who is an Albanian citizen, is an accomplished lawyer with over 26 years of experience specializing in legislative and legal consultancy. With expertise in Albanian legislation, European Commission policies, and international law, she has collaborated with major international organizations such as USAID, EU, and UN. She holds a Master’s in International and European Studies and is a PhD candidate, focusing on environmental law and public participation. Her career spans roles in policy drafting, legal consulting, and capacity building for public institutions, emphasizing alignment with EU standards. Multilingual and proficient in English and Albanian, she also has strong analytical and communication skills, making her a leading expert in her field.
Martin Wolff
Senior Counsel
Martin, who is an Austrian national, is a seasoned environmental consultant with over 25 years of experience in water resources management, policy reform, and municipal infrastructure investments. As Managing Partner of Wolff Environmental Consulting (WEC) GmbH, he has led major EU-funded projects, advising governments and international institutions on implementing water sector reforms and EU environmental policies. With expertise in project management, feasibility studies, and stakeholder engagement, Martin has successfully coordinated large-scale infrastructure projects across the Western Balkans and EU accession countries. His work focuses on improving water governance, resilience, and investment planning. Fluent in German and English, Martin holds a Dipl. Ing. in Water Management and Civil Engineering from BOKU Vienna. He is a member of the Association of Austrian Engineers and the International Water Association.
Elena Stefanoni
Senior Counsel
Elena, who is an Italian national, is an experienced legal and environmental expert with over 20 years of professional experience in public administration, international organisations, and environmental consultancy. She specialises in the harmonisation of national legislation with EU environmental standards and has a proven track record in drafting and implementing EU-funded projects in the fields of environmental law, climate change, and governance. Elena has led and contributed to multiple international projects across Europe, Africa, and the Balkans, collaborating with entities such as the UN, EPTISA, and Agrotec. Her expertise encompasses regulatory impact assessments, the development of national environmental strategies, and the preparation of secondary legislation aligned with the EU acquis.
Maurizio Zanella
Senior Counsel