About us

Italian Lawyers’ Boutique: a boutique law firm providing legal services.

Italian Lawyers’ Boutique is a law firm made up of a cohesive and passionate team of professionals, combining the founders’ experience and broad perspective with the high level of specialist expertise of every team member. Attentive to clients’ needs, precise in delivering our services and committed to protecting their interests, we strive to achieve the highest levels of client satisfaction.

Drawing on more than ten years of experience and a strong commitment to technology, we have built a stable network of highly qualified professionals in Italy and abroad, enabling us to respond promptly and effectively to the needs of clients operating worldwide. We have offices in Italy (Prato and Florence) and the United Arab Emirates (Dubai), and operate worldwide.

Avv. Maurizio Pugi

Mr Pugi graduated in Law from the University of Florence, following a civil-law curriculum and writing his thesis in Comparative Private Law. After completing his studies, he qualified to practise law in the district of the Florence Court of Appeal and has been registered with the Prato Bar Association since 2004. Since 2016, he has been authorised to practise before the higher courts.

Mr Maurizio Pugi is a co-founder and senior partner of Italian Lawyers’ Boutique, alongside Ms Maria Chirico. In 2020, he integrated into the firm Lexcellence, the law firm he had founded in 2013. Mr Pugi leads the firm’s business law team. His work focuses particularly on commercial law and contracts, as well as advising and assisting companies and entrepreneurs in negotiations involving company formation, acquisitions, mergers and commercial agreements. He also actively contributes his experience to the firm’s team dedicated to family law, succession matters and asset protection. Mr Pugi has over ten years of experience in arbitration and is frequently appointed as sole arbitrator or as a member of an arbitral tribunal. He is a member of the Prato Civil Law Association (Camera Civile di Prato) and the association Il Trust in Italia. Mr Pugi has a good command of spoken and written English, as well as a working knowledge of French and German.

Avv. Maria Chirico

Ms Maria Chirico graduated in Law from the University of Florence, qualified to practise law in the district of the Florence Court of Appeal in 2007, and is registered with the Prato Bar Association. Ms Maria Chirico is a co-founder and senior partner of Italian Lawyers’ Boutique, together with Mr Maurizio Pugi. The firm was established through the merger of two previously separate practices.

Ms Chirico has extensive and well-established experience in civil and business law, advising companies across corporate, commercial and contract law, in both contentious and non-contentious matters. Her work also includes due diligence and corporate reorganisation. Her clients also include insolvency practitioners, whom she advises and assists in insolvency proceedings. She leads the firm’s team specialising in GDPR compliance and personal data protection. She assists companies in analysing and reviewing their data-processing practices and implementing protocols in compliance with applicable legislation. Ms Chirico has many years of experience assisting companies with international expansion in the United States, the United Kingdom and Arab countries, with a particular focus on the United Arab Emirates. She has collaborated for many years with the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the United Arab Emirates, where she is an Italian Certified Consultant and a trusted professional adviser to numerous Italian companies. She is also affiliated with the American Chamber of Commerce in Italy. Ms Chirico has a good command of spoken and written English, as well as a working knowledge of Spanish and French.

Avv. Carolina Nieri

Ms Carolina Nieri graduated with top marks from the University of Florence, following a civil-law curriculum and writing a family-law thesis under Professor Giuseppe Conte. She qualified to practise law at an early stage, after passing the qualifying examination before the Florence Court of Appeal.

She is currently registered with the Prato Bar Association. Ms Nieri primarily practises family and succession law, providing advice and assistance in both contentious and non-contentious matters, including through alternative dispute resolution methods. She has particular expertise in separation and divorce, applications to vary the relevant terms, child custody and residence arrangements, cohabitation and civil unions, and disputes concerning family assets. Ms Nieri is an attentive listener with natural empathy and a broad perspective. Combined with her strong legal training and deep commitment to family law, these qualities lead her to prioritise negotiation and seek solutions tailored to each individual case. Her practice also extends to other areas of civil law, with a particular focus on succession law, asset protection, guardianship and supported decision-making arrangements. She is also part of the firm’s team advising and assisting businesses on personal data protection and processing, data protection and privacy compliance. Ms Nieri is a member of the Italian Association of Lawyers for Family and Minors (AIAF). Ms Nieri has a good command of spoken and written English, French and Spanish.

Avv. Caterina Pazzaglia

L’Avv. Caterina Pazzaglia si è laureata nell’Ottobre 2017 presso l’Università degli Studi di Firenze con un percorso di studi orientato alla materia penalistica ed una Tesi in Diritto Processuale Penale con la Prof.ssa Carlotta Conti dal titolo “Il ragionamento probatorio tra prova scientifica e massime di esperienza”, e nell’anno 2020 si è abilitata all’esercizio della professione forense sostenendo l’esame di abilitazione presso la Corte d’Appello di Firenze.

Attualmente è iscritta all’ordine degli Avvocati di Prato, si occupa prevalentemente di diritto penale, fornendo consulenza ed assistenza sia giudiziale che stragiudiziale, ed è altresì iscritta alle liste dei difensori d’ufficio presso il Tribunale di Prato. La stessa si occupa con particolare preparazione delle questioni attinenti ai reati contro il patrimonio, fallimentari, tributari, societari, nonché in ambito dei reati con violenza contro la persona, con particolare sensibilità per la tutela delle vittime di violenza sessuale, stalking, maltrattamenti in famiglia. L’Avv. Pazzaglia ha abbinato ad una preparazione di tipo penalistico anche una formazione specialistica in compliance aziendale. Ha frequentato nell’anno 2024 il master organizzato dalla 24Ore Business School “Modello 231: Casi, Disciplina e Organismi di Vigilanza” e nel 2026 il master organizzato sempre dalla 24Ore Business School “AI e legal compliance”. L’attività dell’Avv. Pazzaglia si estende altresì agli altri settori del diritto inerenti alla responsabilità medica, sia in ambito civilistico che in ambito penalistico.
L’Avv. Pazzaglia ha una buona conoscenza della lingua inglese scritta e parlata.

Avv. Francesco Michelozzi

Mr Francesco Michelozzi graduated in Law from the University of Florence with a civil-law focus and qualified to practise law in the district of the Florence Court of Appeal in 2023.

Registered with the Prato Bar Association, Mr Michelozzi primarily advises and assists companies in contentious and non-contentious matters. His practice also includes international law, assisting businesses with negotiations and the drafting of international contracts. He also works in other areas of civil law, particularly damages claims. He has experience in certain areas of immigration law, assisting international clients with residence permits, elective residence, family reunification and acquisition of Italian citizenship. Mr Michelozzi is a member of the Italian Association of Young Lawyers (AIGA) and has a good command of spoken and written English.

Dott.ssa Sara Guarducci

Ms Sara Guarducci graduated with top marks in Law from the University of Florence in 2024, specialising in criminal law. Since 2025, she has been registered as a trainee lawyer with the Prato Bar Association.

Ms Guarducci speaks and writes English (C1) and French fluently, and has a good command of German. Ms Guarducci is developing her expertise in civil law, with a particular focus on corporate compliance.

Alessia Iuspa

Ms Alessia Iuspa is the administrative manager at Italian Lawyers’ Boutique, where she oversees invoicing, financial planning, and the firm’s accounting and tax matters. Ms Iuspa is also responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the firm’s social media communications.

Of Counsel

Avv. Giulia Mazzetti

Ms Giulia Mazzetti graduated from the University of Florence and qualified to practise law in the district of the Florence Court of Appeal in 2008. Ms Mazzetti focuses her practice on employment and labour relations law.

In these areas, she advises and represents both companies and employees in contentious and non-contentious matters. Her work includes disciplinary proceedings; individual and collective dismissals; employment classification and changes in duties; demotion; workplace bullying; secondments and transfers; and special employment-contract clauses, including non-compete, confidentiality and stability agreements. She has also developed specific expertise in agency relationships and business-introduction agreements. Ms Mazzetti combines outstanding listening skills with a natural talent for mediation and a passion for employment law, which she pursues through continuous professional development and in-depth study. She is a member of AGI – the Italian Association of Employment Lawyers. She is also qualified to practise as an Abogado before the Spanish courts. She has professional experience in Milan and Bilbao, Spain, and speaks and writes Italian, English, Spanish and German fluently.

Avv. Lucrezia Giachetti

Ms Lucrezia Giachetti graduated with highest honours in Law from Bocconi University in Milan, focusing on civil law, corporate law and financial markets law. She qualified to practise law and has been registered with the Pistoia Bar Association since 2019.

Ms Giachetti practises civil and business law and has specific expertise in personal data protection, new technologies and intellectual property. She assists companies and professionals with regulatory obligations, compliance processes and the management of legal risks associated with data processing. Ms Giachetti has an excellent command of spoken and written English (C1) and a good knowledge of French (B1).

Avv. Martina Cergnai

Ms Martina Cergnai graduated in Law from the University of Florence, specialising in international law.

During her studies and professional development, she developed a strong international outlook and improved her English through various courses and work experiences. She progressively focused her practice on industrial property, privacy and technological innovation, gaining specialist expertise as a Data Protection Officer (DPO). This experience also led her to teach industrial property and IT law on master’s programmes for in-house legal professionals. She currently serves as DPO for companies in several sectors and chairs corporate Supervisory Bodies (Organismi di Vigilanza). Alongside her professional practice, she regularly provides training to private companies on privacy and Legislative Decree 231/2001. Ms Cergnai has a good knowledge of English and a basic knowledge of Spanish.

Avv. Mariachiara Michelagnoli

Ms Mariachiara Michelagnoli graduated in Law from the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and has been registered with the Prato Bar Association since 2005. She qualified to practise law before the Florence Court of Appeal.

Since 2010, she has worked as a civil and commercial mediator, consistently combining litigation practice with alternative dispute resolution methods. In the course of her professional practice, Ms Michelagnoli has developed specific expertise in Legal Design, using innovative methods to make legal communication clearer, more accessible and more useful to clients. She designs and drafts legal documents, including contracts, privacy notices and corporate policies, with particular attention to clarity, concision and readability. She also simplifies legal language through graphics, diagrams and visual-law techniques to make complex content easier to understand. Ms Michelagnoli also supports businesses in reviewing existing documents, such as commercial contracts and standard terms and conditions, improving their structure, language and clarity. This approach enables Ms Michelagnoli to combine traditional legal expertise with a modern outlook focused on innovation and clients’ practical needs. Ms Michelagnoli has a good command of spoken and written English.