Lukas Staffler

Dr. Lukas Staffler is a legal expert specializing in criminal law, European criminal law, and digitalization law. He serves as a Private Lecturer for criminal law and criminal procedural law at the University of Zurich's Faculty of Law and as a Senior Lecturer at MCI | The Entrepreneurial School in Austria. As a practicing lawyer based in Innsbruck, he provides legal counsel to innovative companies, startups, and individuals facing criminal charges, with particular expertise in compliance, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence regulation.

• Doctor of Law (Dr. iur.) from University of Padua & Innsbruck (2010-2014)
• LL.M. in Public International Law from University of London (2021-2022)
• Habilitation (II a fascia) in Criminal Law by the Italian Ministry of Universities (2018)
• Mag. iur. from University of Innsbruck & Milan (2005-2010)
• ISO-certified Compliance Officer (2023)

Dr. Staffler's research focuses on the intersection of criminal law with digital transformation, European legal cooperation, and emerging technologies. His work examines international judicial cooperation in criminal matters, the impact of European Court of Human Rights jurisprudence on national legal systems, and the evolving regulatory landscape for artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. He investigates how traditional legal frameworks adapt to technological innovation while maintaining democratic values and fundamental rights protections.

His scholarly output demonstrates a clear progression from traditional criminal law topics toward the legal challenges posed by digitalization. Recent publications increasingly address AI regulation, cybersecurity compliance frameworks, and the adaptation of criminal justice systems to technological change, reflecting his dual expertise in both theoretical legal scholarship and practical legal application in the digital economy.

• ISO-certified compliance auditor (2023)
• ISO-certified Compliance Officer (2023)

As an active practitioner, Dr. Staffler advises companies on compliance structures, particularly in the context of AI implementation and cybersecurity. His legal practice includes successful defense in high-profile criminal cases and guidance for startups navigating complex regulatory environments. He has supported numerous businesses in establishing antitrust compliance frameworks, implementing AI strategies, and securing investments while maintaining regulatory compliance.

Dr. Staffler is affiliated with several research networks including the UZH Center for Legal Data Science, CYREN ZH project, and RAILS (Robotics & AI Law Society), where he collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to address emerging legal challenges in technology and criminal justice.