Donatella Sicomo

Attorney Donatella Sicomo

Donatella Sicomo is the Co-Founder of Arnone & Sicomo International Law Firm. She graduated in Law from the University of Palermo in 2005 and, in 2007, obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Professions (judicial and advocacy track) from the same institution. She has been a member of the Palermo Bar Association since October 2008.

Following extensive professional training in criminal law, she further developed her career as an Associate at a leading Italian law firm with a strong international focus, where she was primarily involved in complex cross-border matters and in providing judicial and out-of-court legal assistance to both Italian and foreign clients.

She is now an international lawyer with significant experience in international criminal law, maritime and shipping law, and customs and international trade law, acting for private clients and companies operating in global markets and providing high-level legal representation in multi-jurisdictional contexts.

In the field of international criminal defence, she regularly advises and represents clients in extradition proceedings, both incoming and outgoing, and in cases concerning the European Arrest Warrant (EAW), offering strategic legal assistance in the framework of mutual legal assistance and cross-border criminal investigations. She also assists clients in matters involving Interpol Red Notice removal, with a constant focus on the protection of fundamental rights and the development of effective defence strategies in transnational criminal proceedings.

She has developed specific and recognised expertise in Schengen Information System (SIS) alert deletion procedures, assisting individuals with SIS removal requests, the revocation of Schengen entry bans, and applications for access, rectification and erasure of personal data, with the aim of fully restoring freedom of movement within the Schengen Area.

Her practice in maritime and shipping law includes both litigation and advisory work in maritime disputes, ship arrest and release, maritime casualties, carrier’s liability and international contracts for the carriage of goods by sea, assisting shipowners, charterers, logistics operators and trading companies, also in international debt recovery proceedings.

In addition, she has gained solid experience in customs law and international trade compliance, advising companies in customs litigation, customs penalties and criminal customs proceedings, tariff classification, rules of origin, customs valuation, import-export compliance and VAT in cross-border transactions, as well as in disputes with Customs Authorities.

Alongside her legal practice, she is involved as a lecturer in professional training courses for the qualification of personnel at the Telematic Desk for Recreational Boating (STED) and for maritime brokers.

Her professional activity is characterised by a multidisciplinary, solution-oriented and client-focused approach, aimed at structuring effective legal strategies for individuals and businesses engaged in international activities, also through a consolidated network of foreign correspondents.

Italian is her native language and she has a professional working knowledge of English.