Isabella is a dual-qualified lawyer, registered as a Solicitor of England and Wales and an Avvocato in Italy. With over 14 years of legal experience, Isabella brings extensive expertise to her practice, having been admitted to the Messina Bar Association since 2014. In December 2024, she qualified as a Solicitor of England and Wales via the intensive Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) route.
Isabella graduated from the Università degli Studi di Messina, Faculty of Law, Italy, and qualified as an Avvocato, developing a strong foundation in Italian family law, divorce, and probate matters.
Since relocating to the UK in 2021, Isabella has joined the Family and Probate department at IMD Solicitors, where she advises on UK family and probate matters while continuing to practise as an Italian-qualified lawyer. Her practice focuses on cross-border family and private client work, with particular expertise in financially complex matters arising from international divorce and probate, including jurisdictional disputes, asset identification, and the coordination of proceedings involving property and estates across multiple jurisdictions.
As a dual-qualified lawyer, Isabella regularly assists clients navigating matters involving both the Italian and UK legal frameworks. She is recognised for her meticulous and analytical approach to financial issues, combined with a sensitive and empathetic understanding of clients’ personal circumstances. Her attention to detail and careful handling of complex financial and cross-border cases have resulted in consistently strong client feedback.
Isabella has acted in legally important cases where she has been able to navigate multiple jurisdictions and complex financial matters to ensure her clients get the best possible outcome.
For example:
• Isabella regularly advises Local Authorities on matters involving cross-border issues, in particular when it comes to implementation of orders from the UK in Italy and/or vice versa.
• Isabella recently advised and represented a client in a complex, multi-jurisdictional divorce involving proceedings issued in multiple countries due to highly contested financial and custody issues. She provided strategic guidance on the most effective course of action and represented the client before the Italian courts, successfully obtaining an immediate stay of proceedings, which lead to the English jurisdiction being confirmed. This ensured that the client could proceed in the forum most advantageous to her interests, highlighting Isabella’s expertise in cross-border litigation, complex financial matters, and coordinated international legal strategy.
• Isabella advised and represented a client in a complex and acrimonious divorce involving proceedings in both England and Italy. Through careful and detailed negotiation, she secured an agreement regarding the children that achieved a better outcome than would have been possible had the proceedings continued, resulting in an agreed order being filed and approved in front of the Italian Court. She is now managing the financial aspects of the case, which remain complex due to assets located in both jurisdictions and additional assets held in third-party names, requiring careful cross-border coordination and strategic planning.
• Isabella represented a client in highly contested financial proceedings involving substantial assets across multiple jurisdictions. The case was complex due to disputes over both matrimonial and non-matrimonial assets, as well as contributions from different parties. Through a detailed assessment of the client’s position, careful scenario planning, and strategic advice, Isabella guided the matter toward resolution. The case was successfully settled at the FDR hearing with a comprehensive agreement, ensuring the client retained the family home and all overseas assets, achieving a highly favourable outcome and a very satisfied client.
In addition to her casework, Isabella regularly drafts articles for the firm’s website and social media, presenting complex legal issues in a clear, approachable manner to provide readers with quick, practical, and effective guidance. She also contributes to the IMD Solicitors Legal Clinic, offering advice to individuals who may not have the means to obtain professional legal support, ensuring access to free and practical assistance for those in need.
Isabella had the honour of co-authoring an article with other members of the Family team on the topic of international child abduction. The article, titled “Responding to International Child Abduction: Legal Pathways and Enforcement Challenges”, was published in ICLG Family Law 2026 and reflects her expertise in cross-border family law and child protection matters.
