20 leading technology, artificial intelligence and data protection lawyers in Italy in 2026
Impact Lawyers' editorial selection brings together twenty professionals with particularly significant experience in technology, artificial intelligence and data protection in Italy. The table is presented alphabetically and does not establish internal positions or identify one professional as superior to another.
| Lawyer | Firm | Main profile |
|---|---|---|
| Ernesto Apa | Portolano Cavallo | Media, platforms and technology |
| Paolo Balboni | ICT Legal Consulting | Data protection and international digital regulation |
| Nino Di Bella | Gianni & Origoni | IP, technology and platforms |
| Luca Bolognini | ICT Legal Consulting | Privacy, AI and data governance |
| Giulio Coraggio | DLA Piper | Technology, AI, data and cybersecurity |
| Donata Cordone | Portolano Cavallo | Privacy, data and technology regulation |
| Barbara Corsetti | Portolano Cavallo | Technology, privacy and digital contracts |
| Alessandro Ferrari | DLA Piper | Technology, artificial intelligence and digital transformation |
| Giusella Finocchiaro | Giusella Finocchiaro Studio Legale | Internet law, AI and e-commerce |
| Laura Liguori | Portolano Cavallo | Privacy, technology and artificial intelligence |
| Stefano Mele | Gianni & Origoni | Cybersecurity, AI and digital regulation |
| Micael Montinari | Portolano Cavallo | Technology, media and platforms |
| Giulio Novellini | Portolano Cavallo | Technology, media and digital regulation |
| Rocco Panetta | Panetta & Associati | Privacy, data and digital innovation |
| Yan Pecoraro | Portolano Cavallo | Data, technology and digital business |
| Irene Picciano | Portolano Cavallo | Technology and digital regulation |
| Francesco Posteraro | Portolano Cavallo | Digital regulation, telecommunications and media |
| Luca Rinaldi | Gianni & Origoni | Technology, IP and data |
| Massimo Sterpi | Gianni & Origoni | Technology, intellectual property and digital litigation |
| Daniele Vecchi | Gianni & Origoni | Technology, media and digital litigation |
How the ranking was prepared
This selection was built from scratch through an 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. To identify and cross-check profiles, the review considered current professional track records, official biographies, publicly verifiable matters and transactions, institutional and academic activity, publications and international experience.
For this practice area, particular attention was paid to technology contracts, artificial intelligence, privacy, cybersecurity, platforms, digital regulation, telecommunications and digital transformation.
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 designed to combine major firms, specialist boutiques and professionals with a particularly distinctive individual practice. Nor is the apparent number of wins or completed transactions used as an automatic measure, because public information is uneven and many matters remain confidential.
Selected professionals
Ernesto Apa, Paolo Balboni and Nino Di Bella illustrate different profiles represented in the selection, but their appearance in this section does not imply a superior position. The aim is to reflect different forms of experience within the same specialty and provide a broad view of the Italian market.
How to interpret the selection
The ranking is an editorial snapshot of the Italian 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, possible 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.
