Luigi Zunarelli has been working with the Bologna office of Zunarelli – Studio Legale Associato since 2019 and previously at the Firm’s Shanghai office, where he worked as resident for more than ten years.
He mainly works in the field of commercial and corporate law, international trade law and digital markets law, providing advice and assistance to companies operating in Italy and on international markets, with a particular focus on OHADA (Organisation pour l’Harmonisation en Afrique du Droit des Affaires) area countries, People’s Republic of China and Asian countries. He provides legal advice on foreign investments (both inbound and outbound), joint ventures and domestic and cross-border M&A transactions. He also provides legal support in drafting and negotiating contracts for the establishment of international distribution and supply networks, including commercial agency, distribution, franchising, technology transfer, licensing, and OEM agreements, etc.
In addition to his work in international law and cross-border transactions, Luigi Zunarelli has developed advanced expertise in the regulation of digital markets and emerging technologies. This expertise is also the result of a joint PhD from the University of Bologna and the University of Luxembourg, where his research focused on the impact of European regulation on digital platforms and the protection of user rights, with particular emphasis on the digitalization of the transport and logistics sectors.
He supports digital services providers, e-commerce platforms, and tech startups in their legal structuring, compliance, and operations, while also guiding traditional businesses through the legal challenges of digital transformation.
Luigi Zunarelli is member of the boards of several Italian and foreign companies and works as a consultant for business associations or institutions.
In 2009, he graduated in Law at the Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna, with a thesis in Asian Countries Law entitled “La Distribuzione Commerciale in Cina” carried out through a research period at the Shanghai office of the Firm and at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences. In 2025, he finalized his PhD in Law Science and Technology at the University of Bologna and at the University of Luxembourg.
He is a member of the Bologna Bar Association since 2014.
Notable Cases
- ICC International Arbitration – Supply Relationship
Provided out-of-court and in-court assistance to an aviation company for the management and mitigation of damages arising from the supply of counterfeit materials from China. Representation continued in an ICC arbitration in Paris against the Chinese supplier, aimed at obtaining full compensation for the losses suffered. - Greenfield Investment – Cosmetics & Wellness
Advised a non-EU investment fund on the establishment of an investment vehicle in Italy and the incorporation of an operating company in the cosmetics and wellness sector. The work included reviewing corporate documentation, commercial contracts for retail locations, managing supplier and partner relationships, and supporting the administrative process for identifying and acquiring areas and buildings for redevelopment. - International Contracting – Construction & Infrastructure
Assisted a leading Italian construction and infrastructure company in the revision of a works contract concerning the development of a tourism real-estate project in the Caribbean. - Company Liquidation in China
Supported a European investor in winding up its Chinese subsidiary, including cessation of business operations, recovery of outstanding receivables, termination of employment relationships, and overall management of existing contractual obligations. - International Data Flows & Compliance
Advised a China-based company on the analysis of data flows between the Chinese subsidiary and its Italian parent company, including the review of contractual arrangements and preparation of documentation required to ensure compliance with EU regulations (Data Act and GDPR) and Chinese regulations (PIPL and Cybersecurity Law).
