Italy Awards 2026 Italy Awards 2026

Law firms in Italy continue to thrive in what has of late been a challenging market, characterised by geopolitical instability, downturn in M&A activity, and consolidation in the financial services sector. The country has recently seen regulatory developments in relation to sustainability and governance, changes to the civil procedure rules to encourage the use of arbitration, as well as an increase in the scope of collective actions, keeping lawyers busy in an increasingly complex business environment. The regulated sectors have been particularly active, with considerable foreign investor interest in energy projects, deals, and innovation, as the power demand from data centres and AI surges. Real estate in the hospitality sector is also a flourishing area of work, with international investors responding to the vast appetite for luxury hotels and resorts in cities such as Milan, Rome, and Florence.

Legal 500 is pleased to recognise Italy’s leading legal professionals who exemplify excellence in private practice and in-house roles. These awards are based on the Legal 500’s thorough, independent research for the annual directory. Winners are selected by a team led by Legal 500 Awards Editor Tuva Nielsen, Italy editor Marie Johansen Nordland, in-house research editor Margherita Birri, along with a robust team of seasoned researchers with specialised knowledge of the jurisdiction. This team, responsible for producing the Legal 500 EMEA Italy guide each year, uses the same comprehensive evidence base to ensure the integrity of these awards. Some awards recognise specific practice areas, while others acknowledge thematic achievements across the market.