20 leading data protection and digital law lawyers in Italy in 2026
Impact Lawyers' editorial selection brings together twenty professionals with particularly significant experience in data protection and digital law in Italy. Lawyers are listed alphabetically by surname: the table order does not establish internal positions or identify one professional as superior to another.
| Lawyer | Firm | Main profile |
|---|---|---|
| Alessandro Ferrari | DLA Piper | Technology, artificial intelligence and digital transformation |
| Barbara Corsetti | Portolano Cavallo | Technology, privacy and digital contracts |
| Daniele Vecchi | Gianni & Origoni | Technology, media and digital litigation |
| Donata Cordone | Portolano Cavallo | Privacy, data and technology regulation |
| Ernesto Apa | Portolano Cavallo | Media, platforms and technology |
| Francesco Posteraro | Portolano Cavallo | Digital regulation, telecommunications and media |
| Giulio Coraggio | DLA Piper | Technology, AI, data and cybersecurity |
| Giulio Novellini | Portolano Cavallo | Technology, media and digital regulation |
| Giusella Finocchiaro | Giusella Finocchiaro Studio Legale | Internet law, AI and e-commerce |
| Irene Picciano | Portolano Cavallo | Technology and digital regulation |
| Laura Liguori | Portolano Cavallo | Privacy, technology and artificial intelligence |
| Luca Bolognini | ICT Legal Consulting | Privacy, AI and data governance |
| Luca Rinaldi | Gianni & Origoni | Technology, IP and data |
| Massimo Sterpi | Gianni & Origoni | Technology, intellectual property and digital litigation |
| Micael Montinari | Portolano Cavallo | Technology, media and platforms |
| Nino Di Bella | Gianni & Origoni | IP, technology and platforms |
| Paolo Balboni | ICT Legal Consulting | Data protection and international digital regulation |
| Rocco Panetta | Panetta & Associati | Privacy, data and digital innovation |
| Stefano Mele | Gianni & Origoni | Cybersecurity, AI and digital regulation |
| Yan Pecoraro | Portolano Cavallo | Data, technology and digital business |
How the ranking was prepared
This selection was built from scratch through Impact Lawyers’ own editorial review of professional and public information available through 2026. It does not reproduce or adapt the order of third-party directories, awards or rankings. Profiles were identified and cross-checked using current professional biographies, official law-firm information, publicly verifiable matters and transactions, publications, institutional and academic activity and international experience.
For this practice area, particular attention was paid to data protection, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, platforms, technology contracts and digital regulation.
The editorial assessment combines five dimensions:
- Depth, continuity and genuine specialisation in the practice: 30%.
- Complexity and relevance of publicly verifiable matters, transactions or responsibilities: 25%.
- Technical command and ability to handle complex matters within the specialty: 20%.
- Professional leadership, independent judgement and ability to lead significant mandates: 15%.
- International profile and doctrinal, academic or institutional contribution: 10%.
Impact Lawyers' own editorial approach
Inclusion does not depend on firm size, media visibility or presence in other rankings. The selection is intended to reflect different practice models, combining major firms, specialist boutiques and professionals with a particularly distinctive individual track record. The apparent number of wins, transactions or clients is not used as an automatic measure because public information is uneven and many matters remain confidential.
How to interpret the selection
This ranking is an editorial snapshot of the market based on public information available in 2026. It does not measure fees, guarantee outcomes or claim that any included professional is the right choice for every matter. The choice of counsel should take into account the precise specialty, potential conflicts of interest, jurisdiction, availability, language, budget and relationship of trust.
Professional careers and firm structures can change. Future editions should therefore verify partner moves, new firms, changes of role and potential incompatibilities before publication.
