Ilaria Parrilla is a managing associate in our banking & finance practice

Tell us a bit about your background and what you do at BonelliErede.

After finishing my undergraduate studies at Bocconi University in Milan and my LL.M. in international financial law at King’s College in London, I worked for both Italian and international law firms as a junior associate. In 2018, I joined BonelliErede’s London office, where I deal with all aspects of banking and finance, with a focus on financing and structured finance transactions in the distressed and special situations sector, debt capital market transactions (mainly bond issues), and derivatives.

What aspects of your job do you look forward to every morning?

Being part of the London team means you get to deal with a variety of aspects in banking and finance. You quickly learn to juggle the many different topics and client requests! And because you’re exposed to a dynamic, constantly evolving market – one in which the ability to adapt and willingness to learn are essential soft skills – your professional and personal growth is exponential to say the least.

To me, working at BonelliErede is a unique growth opportunity. One of BonelliErede’s greatest strengths is that, thanks to our international network of law firms, we have the chance to work on deals – mainly cross-border – as part of an international team of professionals with undeniable technical skills and experience.

I work daily with a multidisciplinary and multicultural team, made up largely of women of unparalleled professionalism and compassion with whom I’ve forged both professional and personal relationships over the years. So I really feel like I’m part of a big family that I can always count on, despite living far away from my hometown and my loved ones.

What fascinates you about London?

London is certainly a challenging city to live in, but it has given me the opportunity to cultivate my interpersonal skills. I mean, so many different cultures blend together and coexist in this dynamic, multiethnic city. And life here is no less dynamic, as the city pushes you to keep up with the times – be it in the context of an important transaction or in your private life. With so much history, art, culture, and entertainment, London offers ample opportunity to meet new people and to do something interesting together. And London’s cosmopolitan characteristics are reflected in its many cuisines, too – it’s impossible not to find yourself trying yet another one!

That’s actually one of my favourite things to do in my free time: discover new restaurants, cultures and flavours, and – why not – invite some friends over to cook together! I find that sharing a passion for cooking with friends and colleagues is one of the best ways to have fun and better appreciate the different cultures around us – an experience that broadens our horizons and enriches our daily lives.