Sandra Chiarlone, International Private Law Attorney
The CIAP Friday Member Spotlight celebrates the professionals, entrepreneurs, and community leaders who help strengthen Chicagoland’s Italian-American business community. Each story is an opportunity to recognize the many paths people take, and the heritage, ideas, and relationships they bring with them.
This Friday, we’re pleased to introduce Sandra Chiarlone, an International Private Law Attorney licensed to practice in both Italy and Illinois. Her work connects two countries and two legal systems, while her family roots lead to Savona, in Liguria. We’re delighted to share a little about Sandra’s professional identity, the advice she offers, and a favorite pairing that brings Italian food traditions to the table.
Her story: A career across two legal systems
Sandra Chiarlone is an International Private Law Attorney, licensed to practice law in both Italy and Illinois. That dual licensure is an important part of her professional profile: her work sits at the intersection of two legal systems and two countries.
An editorial illustration evoking legal practice and international connections.
International private law is a field whose very name points toward connections across borders. Sandra’s title and dual license make that international dimension central to her professional identity. Her career bridges Italy and Illinois, not as an abstract idea, but as the two places where she is licensed to practice.
For readers whose lives, families, or work connect to more than one country, the idea of navigating different legal systems can feel significant. Sandra’s professional path is a reminder that cross-border perspectives are part of the experience of many Italian-American families and communities. It also reflects the value of language, knowledge, and an ability to engage with more than one cultural context.
We’re keeping this introduction focused on the facts Sandra shared with us. Her spotlight submission identifies her as an International Private Law Attorney and confirms her licenses in Italy and Illinois. Those details alone tell us something meaningful about the breadth of her professional foundation, and make her perspective a welcome part of our community.
Her Ligurian roots: Family from Savona
Sandra’s family is from Liguria, specifically the city of Savona. That connection gives her story a clear point of origin in Italy: a family heritage she carries into her life and shares with the CIAP community.
An atmospheric illustration inspired by Liguria; it is not a documentary image of a specific place.
Family roots can be a meaningful part of how we understand our own stories. For Sandra, the fact that her family comes from Savona is one of the details she chose to share in her spotlight. It sits alongside her cross-border professional identity, offering a personal point of connection to Italy.
At CIAP, we value stories like this because they bring people together through both shared experience and individual histories. Italian-American heritage is not one single story. It is made up of family origins, personal choices, professional journeys, and the ways people keep those connections present in their lives. Sandra’s Ligurian roots are part of that wider community story.
Sandra’s advice, in her own words
When asked what advice she would share, Sandra offered three simple, thoughtful ideas:
“Embrace challenge, learn languages, and honor your roots.”
There is a natural connection between Sandra’s advice and the facts of her career. Her dual license in Italy and Illinois reflects a professional life that spans two legal systems and two countries. Her encouragement to learn languages speaks to the value of communication across cultures. And her reminder to honor your roots echoes the family connection she shared with Savona.
These are practical ideas, too. Embracing a challenge can mean being willing to take on something unfamiliar. Learning a language can open new ways to communicate and understand the people around you. Honoring your roots can be as simple as remembering where your family comes from and making space for that history in your own story.
You don’t need to have the same career or background to take something from Sandra’s message. Wherever your professional path leads, you can stay curious, welcome new challenges, and keep the connections that matter to you close.
Food and tradition: Ravioli del Plin with Barbaresco
A member spotlight should leave room for the details that make a person feel familiar, too. Sandra’s favorite Italian food is Ravioli del Plin, the small Piedmontese stuffed pasta, paired with Barbaresco wine.
An editorial food illustration inspired by Sandra’s favorite pairing.
It’s a lovely combination to bring into conversation: a specific pasta and a wine Sandra enjoys alongside it. Food has a way of making heritage feel close and shareable. A favorite dish can offer an easy opening at the table: one more reason to swap stories, compare traditions, and discover what others enjoy.
And perhaps that’s part of the pleasure of a community like CIAP: you arrive to meet people, and the conversation may move from professional paths to family roots to what everyone would happily order for dinner. We’ll admit, Ravioli del Plin with Barbaresco sounds like an excellent conversation starter.
Connect with the Chicagoland Italian-American community
We’re proud to feature Sandra and grateful she shared her story and advice with the CIAP community. Our Friday Member Spotlight series celebrates people whose professional lives and personal histories add to the strength and character of Chicagoland’s Italian-American business community.
If you’re looking for an Italian American Chicago network where you can meet professionals and build relationships, we invite you to learn more about CIAP. For anyone searching for a Chicago Italian American club with a professional and community focus, CIAP offers a place to connect with people who share an interest in Italian-American business, culture, and community.
Explore CIAP membership options and browse the CIAP Business Directory to learn more about the community and its members. Whether you’re a professional, business owner, entrepreneur, or organization, you’re welcome to stay in touch and discover where a conversation might lead.
Have a member story to share, or want to learn more about CIAP? Contact Salvatore at salvatore@chicagolanditalians.com. We’d be happy to hear from you, and we hope you’ll join us in celebrating the people who make our community stronger.