A Collaborative Partnership This fall, Ana Laura Gonzalez Coria ‘25L was as an extern at Scognamiglio Law Firm in Naples, Italy.

By Law Communications
March 28, 2025

A California native, Ana Laura Gonzalez Coria ‘25L graduated from the University of the Pacific with a double major in English and Communication. After college, she taught Bilingual Special Education before moving to Europe to teach English. At W&L Law, Ana Laura volunteers with the Immigration Rights Clinic and serves as a Research Assistant on projects related to Civil Rights and Law & Economics. She especially enjoys mentoring fellow students—especially when it comes to bluebooking. When she’s not buried in case law, you’ll find her at campus craft workshops, balancing the rigors of law school with creativity. After graduation, Ana Laura will clerk for the Federal District Court of the Virgin Islands. This fall, Ana Laura participated in the law school’s WILF (Working in Law Full‑Time) program as an extern at Scognamiglio Law Firm in Naples, Italy.

Where did you work this fall through the WILF Program?

This fall, I had the incredible opportunity to extern at Scognamiglio Law Firm in Naples, Italy, a firm specializing in international business law, arbitration, and corporate transactions. From day one, I was welcomed with open arms and treated not as an intern, but as part of the team. I worked directly with Giovanni, the managing partner, and Daniela, a senior partner, both of whom were incredible mentors and gave me real, substantive legal work.

How did you secure this externship?

I really wanted to work in Italy, so I took a bold step: after seeing a LinkedIn post about Scognamiglio Law Firm, I cold-messaged Managing Partner Giovanni Scognamiglio. To my surprise, he responded within hours. The firm has a rich history of mentoring law students globally (they’ve trained over 75 young lawyers from 15 countries!), and Giovanni was eager to add a W&L student to that legacy. His energy set the tone—this wasn’t just an externship, but a collaborative partnership from day one.

Describe your work experience and daily schedule.

My schedule blended Neapolitan flexibility with rigorous legal work. Most mornings often started around 10:30AM, and I’d dive into tasks ranging from drafting arbitration applications to researching immigration law or reviewing international contracts. I worked directly with Giovanni and Daniela, who treated me as a colleague rather than an intern—inviting me to client meetings, valuing my input, and trusting me with substantive projects. Some days ended late; others wrapped early. As they’d say in Naples: “Tutto a posto” (“All good!”), as long as the work got done.

What are some skills you developed?

Adaptability! I learned to pivot between legal topics—immigration, intellectual property, commercial disputes—sometimes in a single morning. Drafting bilingual legal documents honed my precision in both English and Italian, and observing Italian court proceedings (where submissions are digital pre-hearing) deepened my understanding of comparative law. I also gained hands-on experience in arbitration strategy, which felt like mastering a high-stakes chess game.

What surprised you about the work you did during your externship?

How much responsibility I was given. I initially expected to focus on arbitration, but I contributed to everything from contract negotiations to client advisories. The team treated me like an associate, inviting me to strategize on cases and even attend court hearings. I also didn’t anticipate how seamlessly my prior experience in criminal and humanitarian law would translate to civil litigation—it was empowering to see how versatile legal skills truly are.

What was your favorite aspect of your experience?

The most rewarding part of my time in Naples was, without a doubt, the people. Giovanni and Daniela were exceptional mentors. Daniela, in particular, took the time to ensure I understood how Italian legal principles differ from U.S. jurisprudence, providing insights that were invaluable to my growth as a legal professional. Beyond the legal work, Carmela and Loredana made sure I fully embraced Napoletan culture—from office traditions to local customs, they were always supportive and genuinely interested in making sure I was adapting well. As an outsider in a new legal system and culture, I appreciated how welcoming and encouraging everyone was. They made the transition seamless, offering not just professional guidance but a sense of belonging and support, which made the experience all the more meaningful.

Of course, my experience in Naples wouldn’t have been complete without embracing the city’s culture. Naples is a city of contradictions—chaotic yet deeply alive. Between client meetings, I’d wander historic streets, savor different pastries, and cheer at Napoli football matches (Forza Napoli!). Through this experience I learned lawyering is also about understanding people, culture, and passion. That lesson will stick with me forever.

Has this experience helped you figure out your post graduate plans, and if so how?

This externship reaffirmed two things:

• Mentorship matters. I now have a clearer idea of the kind of mentorship and professional development I want in my career.
• I can be versatile. Even though my legal background had been primarily in criminal and humanitarian law, I realized that many of those skills—research, advocacy, and strategic thinking—translate seamlessly into international business law.

And most importantly? I know I want to return to Naples.

Special Note of Thanks:

I’m endlessly grateful to Scognamiglio Law Firm for trusting me with real, substantive work and for the mentorship and support I was given. At W&L Law, I was fortunate to have Professor Gould’s guidance in making the most of this opportunity, while Professor Drumbl and the Transnational Institute not only provided financial support but also encouraged me to engage in cultural research while in Italy, adding another layer of depth to my experience.

This opportunity wasn’t just about the law—it was about learning to navigate a global legal career with curiosity, adaptability, and a touch of Italian sprezzatura—that effortless confidence in the face of the unknown. It wouldn’t have been possible without the support of W&L Law, which truly invests in its students, encouraging them to explore opportunities beyond the classroom and equipping them with the tools to thrive in a global legal landscape. Grazie Mille!