The European legal landscape is home to some of the most accomplished and influential lawyers, each specializing in areas such as corporate law, data privacy, employment law, and cross-border legal matters. These legal professionals not only shape the legal frameworks within their countries but also play a crucial role in advising multinational corporations, governments, and individuals on complex legal issues.
In this article, we highlight five leading lawyers across major European cities, showcasing their expertise, notable achievements, and contributions to the legal industry. Whether navigating high-profile mergers, ensuring compliance with evolving regulations, or advocating for expatriate communities, these lawyers stand out as industry leaders in their respective fields.
Top 5 Lawyers in Europe
Lorraine Maisnier-Boché – Paris, France
Lorraine Maisnier-Boché is a counsel at McDermott Will & Emery, specializing in data protection and information technology law. She has extensive experience advising clients in the digital, IT, and healthcare sectors, including healthcare professionals, hospitals, governmental entities, insurance companies, medical device manufacturers, software editors, and hosting service providers on complex IT projects.
Notable Achievements:
- Recognized as “Lawyer of the Year” for Privacy and Data Security Law in Paris, France, by Best Lawyers in 2025.
- Served as Senior Legal Counsel at the French eHealth Agency (ASIP Santé), advising on the development and implementation of national health information systems.
- Lecturer in IT and Data Protection law at Paris University and a regular speaker at eHealth and data protection conferences.
Official Website: McDermott Will & Emery Profile
Barbara Levi – Zurich, Switzerland
Barbara Levi serves as the Group General Counsel at UBS, bringing extensive experience in corporate, commercial, and compliance matters. Before joining UBS, she held the position of Chief Legal Officer & External Affairs at Rio Tinto Group and spent 15 years at Novartis Group in various senior legal roles.
Notable Achievements:
- Led legal aspects of significant mergers and acquisitions, including her role as Group Legal Head of M&A and Strategic Transactions at Novartis.
- Served as Group General Counsel and member of the Executive Committee at Rio Tinto Group.
- Admitted to practice law in multiple jurisdictions, including the U.S. Supreme Court, New York State, and Milan, Italy.
Eleftheria Leptokaridou – Berlin, Germany
Eleftheria Leptokaridou is a prominent attorney specializing in cross-border legal issues, particularly assisting Greek nationals residing in Germany. Her expertise encompasses immigration law, employment law, and facilitating cultural integration for expatriates.
Notable Achievements:
- Successfully represented numerous clients in complex immigration cases, ensuring compliance with German residency regulations.
- Provided legal counsel on employment matters, helping clients navigate the intricacies of German labor laws.
- Actively engaged in community initiatives aimed at promoting cultural integration and support for expatriates.
Official Website: Leptokaridou
Inês Sequeira Mendes – Lisbon, Portugal
Inês Sequeira Mendes is the Managing Partner at Abreu Advogados, a leading Portuguese law firm. She has been instrumental in transforming the firm’s operations and expanding its international presence.
Notable Achievements:
- Named European Managing Partner of the Year for spearheading the transformation of Abreu Advogados.
- Led initiatives to modernize legal services, incorporating innovative technologies and practices.
- Expanded the firm’s international reach, establishing partnerships and collaborations across Europe.
Stefano Simontacchi – Milan, Italy
Stefano Simontacchi is the President of BonelliErede, one of Italy’s premier law firms. He specializes in corporate law and has played a pivotal role in significant mergers and acquisitions in Europe.
Notable Achievements:
- Led BonelliErede to be recognized as the European Corporate Team of the Year.
- Advised on high-profile M&A transactions, providing strategic legal counsel to multinational corporations.
- Authored several publications on corporate law and regularly speaks at international legal conferences.
Website: Belex Profile
These distinguished professionals exemplify legal excellence across various European jurisdictions, each contributing significantly to their respective fields.
