Elisabetta Righini
Europe Guide 2024
Band 2 : Competition/European Law: State Aid
Band 2
About
Provided by Elisabetta Righini
Practice Areas
Elisabetta Righini advises leading multinational companies on European law, with a focus on EU regulation and litigation in the market’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, on State aid, and on FSR.
Elisabetta draws on more than 25 years of experience, including 15 years in high-level positions at the European Commission, and her creative approach helps clients navigate complex regulatory frameworks in Europe, particularly involving:
- EU technology and AI regulation
- State aid matters
- Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR) compliance
- Regulation of network industries, such as transport and energy
She regularly advises digital platforms and media services on developments in the EU Digital Single Market — including in connection with the Digital Markets Act, Digital Services Act, and AI Act — and represents them in front of EU institutions and courts in relation to compliance or investigations.
Elisabetta also guides companies, industry associations, and public authorities on State aid and FSR compliance, including in filings, complaints and investigations at the European Commission, and litigation before the European courts.
While at the European Commission, Elisabetta worked as a member of its Legal Service and then as a legal advisor to former Competition Commissioner and Vice President Joaquín Almunia. She leverages her longstanding legal practice and in-depth understanding of the European Commission’s policy and enforcement when helping clients craft their legal strategy in Europe. Over the years, she has become a trusted and strategic advisor to many of her clients on their most critical issues, including European regulatory compliance.
Elisabetta also has extensive experience as a litigator, having appeared before the European Court of Justice in over 100 cases relating to a variety of EU issues, such as State aid, external relations, anti-dumping, network industries, and fiscal matters. She has also appeared before the World Trade Organization in over 20 cases relating to sanitary and phytosanitary measures, genetically modified organisms, subsidies, tariffs and non-tariffs, barriers, and telecoms.
A recognized leader within the firm, Elisabetta is the local chair of Latham’s Women Enriching Business (WEB) Committee and Pro Bono Committee as well as a member of the Diversity Leadership Committee.
She is a visiting professor at the Centre of European Law of Kings College’s Dickson Poon School of Law in London and a member of its advisory board.
Chambers Review
Europe
Moving up this year is Elisabetta Righini who is known for having experience in state aid as both a private practitioner and from her previous role at the Commission. She has notably acted for complainants to the EC and EGC alleging unlawful aid and is adept at advising on new regulations.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"It is always a pleasure to work with her and she has plenty of experience."
"I have found her ability to be two steps ahead and understand the approach needed to succeed to be very compelling and impressive."
"Elisabetta Righini was also very creative in developing a legal strategy which tackled particular specificities of our company with the overall legal challenge in a very unique way."
"She checks all possible issues and leaves no questions unanswered. She speaks clearly, slowly, making sure her interlocutors follow what sometimes are complex legal issues."
"It is always a pleasure to work with her and she has plenty of experience."
"I have found her ability to be two steps ahead and understand the approach needed to succeed to be very compelling and impressive."
"Elisabetta Righini was also very creative in developing a legal strategy which tackled particular specificities of our company with the overall legal challenge in a very unique way."
"She checks all possible issues and leaves no questions unanswered. She speaks clearly, slowly, making sure her interlocutors follow what sometimes are complex legal issues."