Distance No Longer Matters: Reflections on Twenty Years of Legal Practice in an International Environment

Introduction

In this article, Claudio Cipollini, Partner at RCLex and Head of the firm’s International Desk, reflects on how the legal profession has evolved over the course of twenty years of professional experience.

Drawing on his work with both domestic and international clients, he shares his perspective on the profound changes brought about by digitalisation, remote working and the increasing internationalisation of legal services. He explains how technology has transformed the traditional lawyer–client relationship, removing geographical barriers while preserving the trust, personal attention and professional standards that remain at the heart of effective legal representation.

As more individuals, investors, and businesses seek legal assistance across borders, the ability to build and maintain strong professional relationships remotely has become not only possible, but essential.

This article explores how the practice of law is adapting to this new reality and what it means for clients seeking legal support in Italy today.

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When I began practising law almost twenty years ago, the profession was still deeply rooted in a physical location.

Clients would come to the office. Meetings would take place around a conference table. Documents were exchanged in paper form. The relationship between lawyer and client was largely built through face-to-face interaction, and geographical proximity often played a decisive role in the choice of legal adviser.

If a client lived hundreds of kilometres away, the relationship was often perceived as more difficult to manage. International clients faced even greater challenges, as communication was slower and the practical aspects of cross-border legal assistance were considerably more complex than they are today.

Over the past two decades, however, the legal profession has undergone a remarkable transformation.

Technology has fundamentally changed the way lawyers and clients interact. Video conferencing, secure digital communication platforms, cloud-based document management systems and electronic signatures have made it possible to work efficiently across cities, countries and continents.

What once seemed exceptional has now become part of everyday professional life.

Today, as Head of the International Desk at RCLex, I regularly assist clients who are located not only throughout Italy, but also elsewhere in Europe, North America, Asia and the Middle East. Many of them are individuals and families purchasing property in Italy. Others are entrepreneurs investing in the Italian market, academics relocating to Italy, international professionals dealing with tax matters, or companies requiring assistance with commercial and corporate issues involving multiple jurisdictions.

In many cases, these clients may never visit our offices during the course of the engagement.

Yet this does not prevent us from building strong and lasting professional relationships.

On the contrary, one of the most interesting lessons I have learned throughout my career is that trust does not depend on physical proximity.

Trust is built through competence, responsiveness, transparency and the ability to understand the client’s objectives.

A client located in London, Amsterdam, New York or Dubai expects exactly the same qualities as a client located a few streets away from the office: clear advice, timely communication, practical solutions and confidence that his or her interests are being properly protected.

Technology allows these expectations to be met regardless of geographical distance.

Of course, remote legal practice is not simply a matter of replacing meetings with video calls.

To provide an effective service, lawyers must adapt their working methods. Communication becomes even more important. Clients need to feel informed and involved throughout the process. Documents must be organised and accessible.

Responses must be timely. Coordination with other professionals—including notaries, accountants, tax advisers, banks, real estate agents and foreign counsel—must be seamless.

In many respects, remote legal practice requires an even greater degree of organisation and attention than traditional office-based work.

My own professional routine reflects this reality.

A typical day may involve meetings with clients located in different countries, discussions with foreign advisers, negotiations with counterparties, reviews of legal documentation and coordination of cross-border transactions. Modern technology allows all of these activities to take place efficiently without requiring constant travel or physical presence.

This flexibility has also transformed the way international clients approach legal services.

In the past, foreign clients looking for legal assistance in Italy would often search for a lawyer located close to the property they intended to purchase, the company they wished to acquire or the city in which they planned to relocate.

Today, the decision is increasingly driven by expertise rather than geography.

Clients are looking for professionals who understand international contexts, can communicate fluently in English, are familiar with cross-border issues and are capable of coordinating complex matters involving multiple jurisdictions.

The physical location of the lawyer has become significantly less important than the quality of the service provided.

This evolution is particularly evident within the activities of the RCLex International Desk.

Our objective is to make the Italian legal and tax environment more accessible to international clients. Whether the matter involves a real estate investment, a business project, succession planning, tax advice, immigration procedures or commercial contracts, we aim to provide a single point of contact capable of guiding clients through the complexities of the Italian legal system while coordinating all relevant professionals involved in the process.

For international clients, this approach offers significant advantages.

It reduces the need for travel. It facilitates communication. It allows decisions to be taken more quickly. Most importantly, it enables clients to choose the professional best suited to their needs without being limited by geographical constraints.

Looking back over the past twenty years, I believe that one of the most significant changes in the legal profession has been the disappearance of many of the barriers that once separated lawyers and clients.

Technology has not diminished the importance of personal relationships. If anything, it has increased the importance of communication, availability and trust.

What it has removed are the practical obstacles that previously made cross-border legal assistance more difficult and less accessible.

The future of legal services will undoubtedly continue to evolve. New technologies will emerge, new ways of communicating will develop and clients will continue to expect greater flexibility and efficiency.

Yet some principles remain unchanged.

Clients still seek trusted advisers. They still value expertise, reliability and personal attention. They still need lawyers capable of understanding their objectives and protecting their interests.

The difference is that today these relationships can be built and maintained regardless of distance.

In an increasingly interconnected world, geographical borders matter less than they once did.

For lawyers and clients alike, that is a development worth embracing.

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Are you planning to invest, relocate or do business in Italy?

The International Desk of RCLex assists foreign individuals, investors, academics, professionals and companies with legal and tax matters involving Italy.

Our team provides coordinated support across a wide range of cross-border matters, combining local expertise with an international outlook.

📌 Learn more about our International Desk:https://www.rclex.it/internationaldesk