Designation: Fellow 2023/2025

Gianluca Rotino

With extensive expertise in legal research, he navigates the intricate intersections of law and technology, specializing in computational innovations’ impact on data protection, privacy, liablity, competition, IP compliance, and more within the pharmaceutical industry. He led a biotech company to a Nasdaq listing, demonstrating prowess as Chief of Business, Chief Strategy and Innovation, and more. Focusing on AI-driven biomedical and pharmaceutical research, he delves into complex challenges like data security, public access, and legal qualifications in Lifescience. His proactive approach transforms regulatory frameworks into strategic tools, ensuring optimal leverage for competitive advantage. He is also Co-Founder and Head of Legal and Strategy of UK based consulting firm active on cybersecurity, copyright/data governance and protection.

Barbara Giovanna Bello

Barbara Giovanna Bello is a Tenure-Track Assistant Professor of Philosophy of Law and Digital Justice at the Tuscia University. She earned her Ph.D. in Law and Society from the University of Milan. Her research interests are primarily focused on human rights, discrimination law, and intersectionality.

Barbara has a rich academic portfolio, including three books and numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals, book chapters, and research reports. She has been a part of various research projects, some of which have been funded by the European Union. Her work has been showcased at multiple international conferences.

Since 2013 she has served as the co-chair of the “Gender, Law and Society” Working Group, which is part of the Research Committee on Sociology of Law and since 2018 is corresponding scholar at the CRID of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. She has also been a member of several academic committees and has been recognized with awards for her contributions to her field.

Francesca Niola

Francesca Niola is a Research fellow at Federico II of Naples in IUS/15 and Ph.D. in Public Law IUS/08 from La Sapienza – Università di Roma, where her doctoral thesis focused on environmental constitutional value and the challenges of protection. Her academic journey also includes a Master’s degree in Law from Università degli studi di Napoli Federico II, where she specialized in public administration and emergency management.

Professionally, Francesca has been awarded a scholarship for her research on organizational models and digital innovation at Università Federico II di Napoli. She is licensed to practice law by the Italian Ministry of Justice and has been recognized for her potential to teach at the Department of Law and Political Sciences at Luiss Guido Carli.

Francesca’s expertise spans constitutional law, parliamentary law, administrative law, and environmental law. She has served as a corporate lawyer for several companies, specializing in technological innovation, digitalization, and legal representation.

In the academic realm, Francesca has been a contract professor at the Department of Legal Sciences, Università degli studi di Salerno, and has actively participated in examination commissions since 2016. She has also been involved in various research projects in environmental law on digital law.

Karin Tafur

Karin Tafur is currently affiliated with Z-Inspection, a Germany-based organization dedicated to ethical and responsible AI. Karin specializes in the intersection of Artificial Intelligence, Law, and Ethics, aiming to contribute to the development of responsible and inclusive AI technologies.

She is at Emlyon Business School and an active member of the Data Driven Technology & Equality working group at The Berkeley Center on Comparative Equality and Anti-Discrimination Law. Her involvement extends to international platforms as well.

Karin’s research is not only academically rigorous but also socially impactful, as she works to ensure that AI technologies are developed and deployed in an ethical and inclusive manner. Her affiliations and contributions make her a notable figure in the field of AI ethics and law.

Maksymilian Kuzmicz

Maksymilian Kuzmicz is a distinguished legal scholar specializing in Information Technology Law. He currently serves as a Research Fellow at the Institute for Internet and the Regulation of Law (IRI), and is also a Ph.D. candidate at Stockholm University, where he delves into the legal challenges posed by emerging technologies.

He holds a Master’s degree in Law from the Catholic University of Lublin. His commitment to academic excellence is evident in his ongoing Ph.D. research at Stockholm University, which serves as a platform for his in-depth exploration of IT Law.

At IRI, Maksymilian focuses on a range of issues including data protection, cybersecurity, and the legal aspects of artificial intelligence. His work is instrumental in shaping policies and providing actionable insights for the development of regulatory frameworks in the digital age.

Beyond his research roles, Maksymilian is an active contributor to the academic community. He has presented his research findings at various conferences and has authored articles in reputable academic journals. His contributions have solidified his reputation as a thought leader in the field of IT Law.

With a multifaceted background and a deep understanding of the complexities of IT Law, Maksymilian Kuzmicz stands as a valuable asset in the rapidly evolving landscape of digital regulation. His work is not only academically rigorous but also highly relevant for policymakers and legal practitioners.

Since 2022 he is affiliated at the Swedish Law and Informatics Research Institute (IRI).

Elin Williams

Elin Williams is a Lecturer in FinTech Law at Edge Hill University (School of Law, Criminology and Policing), developing and teaching modules relating to finance, technology and crime. Prior to this, she served as an Associate Tutor in Law (Edge Hill University) and University Teacher in Law (University of Liverpool).

Elin is currently completing a PhD in Law on the challenges of regulating cryptocurrency-based money laundering, at the University of Liverpool. More broadly, Elin’s research interests include Commercial and Banking Law, Financial Crime (particularly Money Laundering) as well as Cryptocurrency and Dark Web regulation.

Elin has presented her research at several institutions, including the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (Amsterdam Law and Technology Institute), Liverpool John Moores University (School of Computer Science and Mathematics) and the University of Liverpool (School of Law and Social Justice). More widely, Elin has assisted with the organisation of conferences for the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, Partnership for Conflict, Crime and Security (University of Cambridge) and the University of Liverpool.

Joana Ribeiro de Faira

Joana Ribeiro de Faria is an emerging legal scholar with a focus on contract law, tort law, and the legal implications of artificial intelligence. Currently a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Cambridge, Joana has an impressive academic background. She holds an LL.M in International Business Law with distinction from the London School of Economics and Political Science. She also earned a Master’s in Private Law (summa cum laude) and a Bachelor of Laws from the Catholic University of Portugal.

Joana’s academic achievements have been recognized through various scholarships and prizes. She is a recipient of the Cambridge International & Newnham Kishor-Rhodes Scholarship for 2022-2025, the Professor Doutor Baptista Machado award in 2020, and the Dean’s Merit Scholarship from the Catholic University of Portugal from 2013-2017. She also won the Euroinfoliteracia prize in a paper contest organized by the Catholic University of Portugal and the European Commission’s representation in Portugal in 2016.

In terms of teaching experience, Joana has served as a Teaching Assistant for Tort Law and Foundations of Private Law at the Catholic University of Portugal from 2020-2022. She has also been a Law Admissions Interviewer at Newnham College, University of Cambridge, in 2022. Her professional experience includes internships at Portuguese law firms Cerqueira Gomes & Associados, RL, and PLMJ, and she is admitted to the Portuguese Lawyer’s Bar as of 2022.

Joana’s research contributions are noteworthy. She has published articles in journals such as “Revista de Direito Civil,” and her work delves into complex issues like the legal aspects of smart contracts and liability in artificial intelligence.

Her multidisciplinary approach, particularly her expertise in technology law, makes her a unique and valuable asset in the legal academic community. With her blend of academic rigor and practical experience, Joana Ribeiro de Faria is undoubtedly a name to watch in the evolving landscape of law and technology.

Chiara Ciccia Romito

Chiara Ciccia Romito is a distinguished Italian legal expert with a focus on new technology law and corporate compliance. She earned her Master’s degree in Law from the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. Further honing her expertise, Chiara specialized in Cyber Security, Criminal Informatics, and GDPR. She also holds a Master’s in Labor Law, Union Relations, and Corporate Welfare from the prestigious Sole 24 Ore Business School.

Currently, she is pursuing her Ph.D. in Labor Law at the Fondazione Marco Biagi, affiliated with the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia.

She has also collaborated with esteemed Professor Giovanni Ziccardi on a range of subjects, including GDPR compliance, data breaches, and cybersecurity measures like malware and phishing protection.

Chiara is a prolific writer, having authored multiple articles and publications on pivotal topics like privacy requirements during pre-employment, the implications of the Green Pass, and data protection in the workplace. Her works have been published on renowned platforms such as Giuffrè Francis Lefebvre, making her a respected voice in legal circles.

With her multifaceted expertise and contributions to both academia and practical legal frameworks, Chiara Ciccia Romito stands as a leading figure in the evolving landscape of technology law and corporate compliance.

Valerio Vertua

Valerio Vertua is a Cassation Lawyer based in Milan. His legal practice primarily focuses on three key areas: tax law, corporate law and IT law and new technologies.

His professional training is enriched by several academic specializations. He obtained a specialization in Corporate Law, demonstrating a deep understanding of the laws governing business activities. Additionally, he has acquired essential skills in Computer Forensics and Digital Investigations, a crucial field for investigating issues related to cybersecurity and the discovery of digital evidence. His education also includes significant insights into Data Protection and Data Governance, demonstrating sensitivity to growing concerns about privacy and data management.

Within the Milan Bar Association, the Attorney is an active member of the Tax Justice Commission, contributing to discussions and decisions regarding complex tax matters. Furthermore, he is involved in the academic field as a collaborator with the Chair of Legal Informatics and Advanced Legal Informatics at the University of Milan, sharing his expertise with students and participating in the development of legal informatics skills.

His passion and involvement in the field of new technologies also come to the fore in his role as Vice-President of the DFA (Digital Forensics Alumni) association, where he connects with other professionals and stays updated on the latest trends in digital investigations.

 

Pietro Boccaccini

Pietro is a lawyer with 15 years of professional experience specializing in privacy, data protection, artificial intelligence  and new technologies law. Since 2021, he has served as the coordinator of Deloitte Legal’s Data Protection Team in Italy. Pietro’s expertise extends to acting as a Data Protection Officer for groups operating in diverse sectors.

In addition to his professional commitments, he actively contributes to the legal community as an expert for the European Data Protection Board (EDPB), a lecturer in Legal Informatics at the University of Milan and a residential affiliate of the Information Society Law Center (ISLC).

He is the author of several scientific publications on tech matters.