New appointments in Milan for Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer: Kodra, Maffei and Miccolis promoted to Of Counsel

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is pleased to announce the promotion of Spartak Kodra, Martina Maffei and Chiara Miccolis to Of Counsel in its Milan office, effective 1 May 2026.

The three promotions further strengthen some of the firm’s key practice areas - intellectual property and life sciences regulatory, commercial litigation and product liability, and administrative law - reflecting the development of professionals who have made a significant contribution to the growth of the firm in Italy.

Spartak Kodra has extensive experience in commercial litigation, with a particular focus on product liability, insurance, unfair competition and intellectual property. He advises clients in domestic proceedings and complex multi-jurisdictional disputes, including patent, trademark and design matters. He also supports businesses in drafting and negotiating domestic and international commercial agreements, operating across a broad range of sectors including industrial, fashion, life sciences, consumer goods, telecoms and media. He is consistently recognised by leading international legal directories for his expertise.

Martina Maffei specialises in intellectual property law and regulatory matters in the healthcare, food and life sciences sectors. She advises Italian and international clients on cross-border patent litigation and complex strategic regulatory issues, including borderline product qualification and reclassification, digital health projects, medical devices and nutraceuticals. Her practice is built on the intersection of patent enforcement, regulatory strategy and compliance. She also has well-established experience, both contentious and non-contentious, in patents, trade marks and e-commerce. She is regularly recognised by leading national and international directories for her expertise in IP and life sciences.

Chiara Miccolis has extensive experience in administrative law, with a particular focus on the energy and infrastructure sectors. She advises Italian and multinational companies, funds, major utilities and investment banks on the development, acquisition and financing of projects in renewable energy, conventional energy, oil & gas and infrastructure, with a particular focus on the integration of corporate, regulatory and administrative aspects, contributing to the firm’s positioning as a leading adviser in the sector. She is also active in public procurement and contentious matters.

Laura Orlando, Italy Managing Partner of Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, said: “These three promotions reflect the depth of talent we have attracted and developed in Italy. Spartak, Martina and Chiara have each made a distinctive contribution to their respective practices, and embody the values of excellence, specialisation and teamwork that define our firm. We are delighted to recognise their journey and to see them take on an even more central role in the growth of our Italian and international platform.”

The promotions follow the recent announcement of Sara Balice’s appointment as IP Partner and further strengthen Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer’s positioning in Italy, reflecting the firm’s strong commitment to internal development and the depth of its leading practices. This organic growth sits alongside a long‑standing strategy of targeted lateral hires, including the recent arrivals of Emanuela Da Rin (Banking & Finance) and Lorenzo Fusco (Employment).

The promotions of Spartak Kodra, Martina Maffei and Chiara Miccolis are part of a broader global round of 32 Of Counsel appointments announced by the firm, increasing the Italian practice to ten partners and eight Of Counsel.