Interview to Roberta Crivellaro, Managing Partner of Withers
What does “entrepreneurship” mean to you?
Entrepreneurship means being able to read constantly evolving contexts, anticipate challenges and propose tailor-made legal and tax solutions to support our clients effectively. Businesses represent a key component of the Italian productive and employment fabric, and our approach aligns with theirs, sharing the goal of ensuring sustainable and lasting growth in the face of the competitive dynamics of the market.
What values distinguish Withers in its approach to SMEs?
Withers, a law firm which acts as a point of reference for high-net-worth individuals and the corporate world, works alongside entrepreneurs, businesses, managers, and family offices (that manage or invest in SMEs) with an approach that integrates business aspects with those related to personal and family wealth. It is precisely this characteristic of being business lawyers to private capital that distinguishes Withers in the Italian legal and tax landscape.
Additionally, the firm – with its Italian structure integrated into Withers global Tech practice – provides specialized support to startups and tech companies, accompanying them through all stages of their journey. Thanks to highly specialized cross-border teams, the firm can provide advice both nationally and internationally, ensuring effective support even in a global context.
When do companies benefit most from your support (corporate changes, launch of new products/services…)?
Both in Italy and abroad, Withers offers comprehensive assistance to entrepreneurs and managers at all stages of a company’s life, from corporate reorganization, tax and succession planning, asset protection, generational transition management, to the preparation of corporate and financial instruments for planning purposes.
Special attention is given to generational transition planning, a decisive moment in ensuring the long-term continuity of the business, through the implementation of legal structures such as trusts, holdings, family offices, or family agreements that facilitate the transfer of ownership and business control to the next generation. For example, in family businesses, it is increasingly evident how necessary it is to plan the gradual entry of new generation members into the two main operational spheres, namely family governance and business governance. Additionally, the firm deals with brand protection, providing advice for the protection of intellectual property at national and international levels, safeguarding of the brand’s value and distinctive identity.
Finally, Withers supports companies and entrepreneurs in carrying out philanthropic initiatives, offering advice to structure charitable activities that reflect their values and create a positive and lasting impact on society.
Why is ELITE a distinctive network to be part of?
The ELITE network is primarily an environment for growth and development; being part of it means having the opportunity to connect and collaborate with a network of industry leaders of excellence.
It is an ecosystem that, more than any other, accompanies companies in their evolution, reinforcing their governance and sustaining them on their journey of expansion, whereby representing a meeting place for expert interlocutors with whom to engage in constructive dialogue.
