Diego Esposito
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Diego Esposito

Partner

Diego focuses on complex financing transactions, with particular emphasis on acquisition and leveraged finance, syndicated lending and corporate loans, and with extensive experience in high-yield bonds and super senior revolving credit facility (SSRCF) financings, as well as private bond structures.

Diego is regularly engaged in both domestic and cross-border matters advising arrangers, sponsors, financing providers, debt funds and borrowers at all levels of the capital structure and on a broad range of debt instruments.

Diego’s clients include leading private equity sponsors, corporates, alternative lenders, debt providers and financial institutions. His experience spans a wide range of industries and transaction types, providing him with a deep understanding of market trends and the evolving clients' needs.

Diego is recognised for his pragmatic and commercially focused approach, often navigating complex deal structures and delivering tailored advice that supports clients’ strategic objectives.

Expertise

Industries

Experience

Representative matters

  • Almaviva S.p.A. on its issuance of EUR725 million Senior Secured Fixed Rate Notes and a EUR160 million super senior RCF for the financing of the public take-private offer for US-listed Iteris Inc. (NASDAQ: ITI) and refinancing of existing indebtedness.
  • The banks on the EUR750 million Senior Secured Fixed and Floating High Yield Notes issued by Neopharmed Gentili (an Ardian and NB Renaissance portfolio company) and a EUR130 million super senior RCF for the refinancing of existing indebtedness.
  • The lenders and Pemberton in the loan and bond financing for a total amount of EUR320 million for the acquisition of Officine Maccaferri by Ambienta.
  • HPS and Arcmont on the subscription of EUR230 million senior secured floating rate notes issued by a vehicle owned by Carlyle for the acquisition of Dainese.
  • The lenders and Ares in the EUR1.5 billion bank bond financing for the acquisition of a minority stake in Enilive by KKR.

Recognition

Diego Esposito - great technical, relationship and problem-solving skills. Always available for a constructive discussion with the client and banks. One of the most competent people around.
Legal500, 2025 (Banking & Finance: Italy)
Diego Esposito has excellent technical and negotiation skills.
Legal500, 2025 (Banking & Finance: Italy)

Awards

  • “Lawyer of the Year - Banking & Finance” Legalcommunity 40Under40 Awards 2023

Qualifications

Admissions

Admitted to the Italian Bar as Avvocato (Lawyer), 2011

Academic

Master of Science in Law, Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi, Milan, 2008

ERASMUS scholarship, Université libre de Bruxelles, Faculté de Droit, Brussels, 2008

Undergraduate degree in Law, Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi, Milan, 2006

Languages

Italian, English

Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.