Meet Federica Fischetti, Senior Associate at Osborne Clarke. In this interview, Federica delves into the world of public law, how she tackles sustainability topics in her work, and how inspiring women and a PhD helped her along the way.

Interviewed by Meike Schneiders

To get started, could you please give us a little background on how you came to your current position as Senior Associate at Osborne Clarke?

It’s a story of daring and courage; the start of my experience at Osborne Clarke was dictated by the desire and curiosity to embark on a new adventure in terms of professional experience. Until then I had been working with a national law firm, which are traditionally the types of firms exercising Public Law in Italy. However, I had always looked at the work of non-corporate lawyers in international law firms from a distance. In 2019 I was offered the opportunity to create a Public Law team within an international firm: Osborne Clarke. Back then, we started with just two people, the Partner and I, but were shortly joined by another colleague, and within a few years, we became a team of nine people. It’s a role that continues to spark my curiosity and challenge me on a daily basis.

It’s a story of daring and courage; the start of my experience at Osborne Clarke was dictated by the desire and curiosity to embark on a new adventure in terms of professional experience.

You specialise in Public Law, with a particular focus on Public Procurement and Public Services Law, both judicial and non-judicial. What excites you most about your work in this area?

I know so many people find this field uninteresting, and it is not a very well-known one. However, I love my work because it allows me to come into contact with various categories of people: CEOs, managers, and technicians, from public and private companies. Therefore, I have to deal with an endless variety of legal and technical issues. In my field, when you advise a client in a court case you need to deal not only with legal and procedural issues, but you also need to be able to understand the issues from a technical point of view. Cases on tariff matters in the water sector, or issues about the business plan in public-private partnerships need very deep background knowledge.

At Osborne Clarke you are also a member of the Infrastructure Services & Public Law Team Italy. What are the most pressing issues in this area at the moment and how important is the consideration of sustainability factors in this work?

Cases regarding sustainability issues are the ones that have recently engaged the entire team. A big part of this has been working on the National Recovery and Resilience Plan which is part of the Next Generation EU program that the European Union negotiated in response to the pandemic. My team was involved both in the establishing as well as the realisation process. Sustainability has certainly been a common thread in our recent work, ranging from legally accompanying reform packages and working on strategic access to digitalisation and innovation, as well as promoting ecological transition and social inclusion.

In addition, sustainability is also the heart of several projects and operations we have supervised from a legal standpoint on behalf of utility clients. For example, we are advising on the realisation of a green platform with zero fossil emissions. This is an innovative project focused on the recovery of waste rather than disposal in landfills.

Do you have any female role models or female figures that have stood out to you throughout your career?

It’s difficult to answer this question as the field of public law has traditionally been very male-dominated. Although in recent years the situation has changed to some degree, my day-to-day work environment is still predominantly composed of male figures. That being said, I think I was profoundly shaped by the challenging period I spent in Rome before joining Osborne Clarke. I worked for a national firm composed almost exclusively of women and while I do not think I can consider any of them a role model, I am still convinced that working with them has benefited me greatly. They were leading by example, they showed me that unity is a strength, and that we women can succeed through mutual support. These issues re-emerged in recent years on the Women Talent Pool leadership programme and other events organised by Osborne Clarke.

The women I worked with were leading by example, they showed me that unity is a strength, and that we women can succeed through mutual support.

A few years ago, you completed your doctorate in European Union law. Doctoral studies can be quite an exhausting and lonely time. Were there any particular challenges you faced and do you have any tips for others who are thinking of following a similar path?

The three years of the doctorate were certainly challenging both because of the context, the University of Bologna is prestigious and professors understandably demanding, and the fact that alongside to my Ph.D, I was also gaining my first experience as a lawyer. I cannot deny that it was an exhausting and chaotic time, keeping multiple balls rolling. But it helped me face the bar exam, and the challenges of the legal profession, more calmly and with greater confidence. Therefore, it is a path I recommend. It opens your mind and teaches you not to stop at the surface but to examine the issues in more depth.

The PhD is a path I recommend. It opens your mind and teaches you not to stop at the surface but to examine the issues in more depth.

You are part of the 8^th edition of the Women Talent Pool Leadership Programme. Almost a year in, could you share with us one of your most memorable moments from the programme?

So far, the most memorable moment of the programme has been the Annual Gathering in Rome. I really enjoyed the topics covered as well as the beauty of the chosen location. Finally having the chance to finally be able to meet other programme participants was extremely enriching. I think that the opportunity to follow the programme online is essential but the beauty of the in-person events is irreplaceable. Hence, I look forward to the upcoming gathering in London which I predict to be equally memorable.

And last but not least, do you ever find time to read, and if so, what are your favourite books?

In the past, I was a compulsive reader and always travelled with at least two books in my bag. At the moment, unfortunately time is scarce and between work and family, there is little time left to devote to reading. In any case, there is always a small stack of books on my bedside table that I open as soon as I find a quiet moment. Possibly my favourite book is “The Name of the Rose” by Umberto Eco. It is set in 1327 at an Italian Franciscan monastery where a series of strange deaths occurs. I like it because it is not only a narrative of a murder investigation but a Chronicle of the Middle Ages. However, the book I read most recently, I must confess, was Cinderella as I have two small children!

Video edited by Claudia Heard