Laura Orlando

Practice Areas

Laura is the Managing Partner of Herbert Smith Freehills' Milan office and leads the firm's global Intellectual Property practice as well as its EMEA Life Sciences practice.

A recognised thought leader in intellectual property law, Laura is appreciated by clients and peers for her innovative and strategic expertise, particularly in the life sciences sector. She excels in handling high-profile, multi-jurisdictional patent cases, including those under the SPC Regulation and before the Unified Patent Court (UPC). Her advice is crucial to major pharmaceutical companies in managing patent expirations and securing market leadership through effective patent lifecycle management, obtaining marketing authorisations and navigating data exclusivity provisions.

Laura's ability to deliver proactive, innovative legal solutions extends across a wide range of industries, including food, chemicals, consumer goods, telecommunications, media and technology (TMT), electronics, fashion and industrial design.

Throughout her career, Laura has received numerous accolades and is consistently ranked in the top tier of prestigious legal directories, is regularly listed among the top 50 lawyers in Italy and as one of the 50 most inspiring female legal professionals in Italy.

Laura serves as Executive Secretary of the Life Sciences Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce in Italy and is a dedicated mentor and legal angel to numerous innovative start-ups. A passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, Laura's involvement with 'The Charge of the 101'ers', a non-profit initiative supporting female-led startups, underscores her commitment to fostering leadership and growth among women in business and law.

Languages Spoken

Italian and English

Awards