Counsel — EU Payments & Financial Regulation
De Matteis Law — Boutique Law Firm, Rome (Parioli)
The role
We are looking for an experienced lawyer to join De Matteis Law as Counsel and advise leading international clients on complex EU payments and financial regulatory matters.
This is a senior advisory role for a lawyer who combines rigorous analysis and outstanding legal writing with sound judgement, autonomy and a strong commitment to client service. You will work directly with founding partner Andrea De Matteis, lead significant matters and help guide the work and development of more junior lawyers.
The role covers regulatory issues currently shaping the European payments market — including PSD3/PSR, agentic commerce, digital finance, digital identity and cybersecurity — as well as selected competition matters. Our written work is read by the European Commission, the EBA and national supervisory authorities, so clear, concise and authoritative drafting is central to the position.
About us
De Matteis Law is an independent boutique law firm focused on EU payments regulation, digital finance and competition law. Our experience in European payments spans more than 20 years, and we advise leading international companies on matters that are strategically important, technically demanding and often novel.
We combine exacting professional standards with a collaborative environment in which lawyers have direct access to clients, take meaningful responsibility and are supported in developing their judgement, expertise and individual strengths.
What you will do
- Lead complex regulatory matters and take responsibility for the quality, clarity and practical value of the advice delivered to clients.
- Draft and review legal opinions, regulatory assessments, position papers, consultation responses and proposed legislative amendments concerning EU and Italian payments regulation, including PSD2/PSD3, PSR, EMD2, IFR, MiCA, DORA and eIDAS.
- Advise in-house legal, regulatory and public-policy teams on new rules, business models, product launches and implementation questions.
- Support clients in engagements with the European Commission, the EBA and national regulatory authorities, including meeting strategy, preparation and written follow-up.
- Lead or support competition matters in the payments sector, including payments-related aspects of the Digital Markets Act and occasional contentious proceedings.
- Supervise and develop more junior lawyers, providing clear direction, constructive feedback and rigorous review of their work.
- Contribute to the development of the practice through knowledge building, client relationships and thoughtful engagement with emerging regulatory issues.
This is a legal advisory and analysis role, not a compliance or audit position.
Who we are looking for
- A qualified lawyer (avvocato or equivalent), typically with at least eight years of post-qualification experience. We are open to exceptional candidates outside this range where their experience and capabilities are a strong fit.
- Substantial experience in EU financial regulation, payments or competition law, gained at a leading law firm, EU institution, regulatory authority, in-house legal team or another relevant professional setting.
- Strong payments-sector expertise is highly desirable, together with a genuine interest in the commercial and technological developments reshaping the market.
- Outstanding analytical and drafting skills, with the ability to identify the decisive issues, develop a clear position and produce authoritative, client-ready work.
- The judgement and confidence to lead matters, advise sophisticated clients and communicate effectively with senior stakeholders and authorities.
- Fluent Italian and English (C1/C2, written and spoken).
- Sound judgement, discretion and absolute respect for confidentiality.
- A responsive, reliable and collaborative approach. How you work with clients and colleagues matters to us as much as what you produce.
What we offer
- A visible senior role on sophisticated and often novel matters for major international clients.
- Direct client responsibility and close collaboration with founding partner Andrea De Matteis.
- Substantial autonomy and the opportunity to influence the development of the practice and its areas of expertise.
- A highly focused working environment with strong professional standards, open discussion and individual support.
- We work hard, but sustainably: our usual working hours are 9:00–18:00, and late-evening and weekend work is the exception rather than the norm.
- Compensation agreed individually, reflecting experience, qualifications and expected contribution, together with a performance-based component and annual review.
- A predominantly on-site role in Rome, particularly during the initial integration period, with flexibility for hybrid work.
How to apply
Please apply exclusively by email to careers@dematteis.law, using the subject line “Application — Counsel — EU Payments & Financial Regulation”, and include:
- your CV;
- a short cover letter explaining why you are interested in the role, the experience most relevant to it and how you could contribute to the practice; and
- a short writing sample of one to two pages in Italian or English. This may be a suitably redacted work product, published article or academic paper. Please do not submit any confidential client information.
Applications without a writing sample will not be considered.
Personal data received with applications are processed as described in our Privacy Policy.
Shortlisted candidates may be invited to complete a brief drafting or editing exercise.
We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds. Integrity, excellence and kindness are central to how we work, and we look forward to meeting people who share those values.