Monica Riva coordinates the Intellectual Property department and is based in Milan.

Over a period of 20 years, Monica has garnered experience in all areas of intellectual property, including Patents, Trademarks and other distinctive marks, Supplementary Protection Certificates, Copyright and related rights, Design, Software, Geographical Indications, Know-How and Trade Secrets, Unfair Competition, Defamation in the press, image rights, name rights, and portrait rights, misleading advertising and improper commercial practices, Information Technology, e-commerce and selective distribution, and franchise and licensing agreements. She has advised clients in a wide range of sectors, including fashion and luxury goods, finance and insurance, industry, food and beverages, software, publishing, life science and pharmaceuticals.

Among her particular specialisms is advice to clients on the full range of litigation matters (at interim and substantive hearings, and in arbitrations), including matters with international and cross-border implications and where the issues impinge upon multiple practice areas. In addition to her litigation work, Monica also advises on transactional matters, in connection with joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, the drafting and negotiation of licensing agreements, technology transfers, distribution and franchising, the development of new IT platforms, and software development and maintenance.

Monica graduated cum laude in industrial law at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan, and subsequently gained a research doctorate at the Università degli Studi di Parma, her thesis receiving first prize from the Lewis Gaze Memorial Scholarship established by MARQUES, the European brand-owners’ association.

She is a member of AIPPI, the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property, and she has since 2004 been a member of the editorial team for Giurisprudenza Annotata di Diritto Industriale, leading IP-law review.

She is the author of a large number of publications and commentaries in the field, and regularly appears at seminars, conferences and conventions.

Monica is mentioned in the major law directories, including Chambers and Partners, The Legal 500, Patent 1000 and WTR 1000, the latter say that “Monica provides invaluable trademark guidance to famous chef Niko Romito and helps start-ups such as Thinkinside to gain a foothold on the Italian market” (WTR 1000, 2021) and describes her as “focused, well-prepared, and a tough litigator” (WTR 1000, 2019).

Chambers and Partners mentions interviewees that states: “Monica Riva is a fantastic professional, with an impeccable knowledge of IP dynamics and a great ability to explain even the most complex concepts”, “Monica Riva is knowledgeable, responsive and reliable”, “She is very smart and always provides creative solutions”, “She is competent, prepared and very skilled in business relations”, “Monica Riva is a strong, clear and confident team leader” (2026), “Monica is technically prepared, understands clients’ issues and is able to adapt to their needs” (2024), “Monica Riva has in-depth knowledge of IP matters. She is open to clients’ needs and proposing win-win solutions“, Monica Riva is very prepared and knows the subject. She is always very available, even to handle extempore needs of the client” (2023), “I am so impressed by her capability to handle issues” (2022), describing her as “very intelligent and pragmatic” (2020) and praises Monica for her “focus on clients’ needs and strong commercial approach”, offering “particular ability in IP-related litigation, including unfair competition”  (2019).

The Legal 500 mentions Monica as follows: “Monica Riva stands out for her depth of experience, approach and ability to drive the case”, “Monica Riva is an outstanding professional. Excellent technical and managerial skills. Combines deep professional knowledge with natural empathy” (2026).

Monica was also honoured with the Intellectual Property Next Generation Partner of the Year award at The Legal 500 Italy Awards 2026 with the following motivation: “Monica Riva wins Intellectual Property Next Generation Partner of the Year for her wide-ranging IP expertise and skilled handling of both litigation and transactional matters”.

Other quotes say that “Monica has a strong ability to consider all the different parameters, and to expose facts and considerations in a clear and simple manner.” (Chambers, 2018) and that she has an “extremely analytical mind and impressive drafting skills. She puts in the time to understand the way her clients think – and shapes her strategies accordingly” (IAM Patent 1000, 2018).