Profile
Chiarella Rei-Ferrari is a Swiss attorney and partner at Studio Legale Ferrari Rei, a law firm based in Bellinzona that has been serving private and corporate clients for more than fifty years.
After completing her legal studies at the University of Zurich, she was admitted to the Bar in the Canton of Ticino in 1984. She initially worked within the family law firm and, in 1990, took over its management, continuing the firm’s tradition while progressively expanding its areas of practice.
Her professional activity focuses on commercial and corporate law, contract law, insolvency and restructuring, inheritance and succession matters, family law and civil litigation. She advises individuals, entrepreneurs and companies on both domestic and cross-border legal issues, with particular attention to practical solutions and personalised client service.
Over the course of her career, Chiarella has also held several judicial and institutional appointments. She was active for many years as a legal consultant in matters concerning victim assistance law and served as a member of the Federal Customs Appeals Commission and of the Federal Labour Commission. She also chaired the Cantonal Conciliation Office for matters relating to gender equality.
She was elected President of the Ticino Bar Association for the 1999–2000 term, becoming the first woman to hold this position. She has also served for many years as a substitute judge, first at the Court of Appeal and later before the Cantonal Criminal Court and the Court of Appeal and Criminal Review.
In addition to her legal and institutional work, Chiarella has been involved in cultural, social and charitable activities, including foundations and associations active in the fields of culture, social support and oncology. She is also an active member of Soroptimist International.
Education
- Law Degree, University of Zurich | 1981
Professional Associations and Appointments
- Member, Swiss Bar Association
- Member, Ticino Bar Association
- President, Ticino Bar Association | 1999–2000
- Member, Federal Customs Appeals Commission
- Member, Federal Labour Commission
- President, Cantonal Conciliation Office for Gender Equality Matters
- Legal Consultant in victim assistance law matters
- Substitute Judge, Court of Appeal, Canton of Ticino | from 1992
- Substitute Judge, Court of Appeal and Criminal Review | 2014–2024
- Member, Fondazione Teatro Sociale di Bellinzona
- Member, Fondazione Istituto Von Mentlen di Bellinzona
- President, Associazione Triangolo
- President, Fondo Solidarietà Mamma e Bambino
- Member, Soroptimist International
