Filomena Frisina, a senior corporate and M&A partner in the Toronto office of Gowling WLG, is the distinguished recipient of the Italy-Canada Award from the Italian Chamber of Commerce of Ontario (ICCO) in recognition of her work to advance connections between the two countries.

The award recognizes Frisina’s outstanding contributions in building bridges between Italy and Canada. It was presented on Sept. 24 during the 2020 ICCO Air Canada Business Excellence Awards, which celebrate relationships between Canadian and Italian professionals and businesses.

Frisina is co-leader of the firm’s Financial Services Regulatory Group, InsurTech Group and Italy Desk. She utilizes her extensive experience to lead transactions related to private M&A, as well as to advise on insurance regulation and general business matters. She works closely with numerous domestic and multinational clients representing a wide range of industries.

As the leader of the firm’s Italy Desk for Canada, Frisina helps Canadian clients pursue commercial opportunities in Italy, leveraging her in-depth local connections to provide clients with the right Italian legal advisers. She collaborates in a similar manner with Italy-based clients seeking to do business in Canada. Fluent in Italian, Frisina also works to promote strong relationships between Italian and Canadian professionals, organizations and students.

The ICCO is a non-profit business organization whose main objective is to promote business development, successful connections and investment within Canadian and Italian companies. For the first time, the ICCO presented all of its business excellence awards to female recipients.  

“I am honoured to be recognized in this capacity,” said Frisina. “It is a thrill to be listed among those who have forged ties and promoted successful connections between Italy and Canada. I am also humbled to be named among such an amazing and talented group of women within the community who are making meaningful contributions.”

Frisina has served throughout her career as a member of numerous boards for public and private companies and not-for-profit organizations. She is the current chair of the Art Gallery of Hamilton Council of Governors and a member of Women Get On Board. Until recently, she also served on the board of Travelers Insurance Company of Canada.

A former board member at the Columbus Centre – a Toronto arts and culture hub for the Italian-Canadian community – she served on the committee for the Italian Canadians as Enemy Aliens: Memories of World War II project.

Through its Italy Desk, Gowling WLG helps co-ordinate legal services for clients pursuing business opportunities in Italy. We also work closely with Italian clients looking to do business outside of the region. As regular visitors to Italy where we connect with clients and law firm friends, we can refer international clients to the Italian firms best suited to assist with transactions and projects across a range of key sectors. Learn more about our services