Data Protection | Asia-Pacific

Baker McKenzie has impressive regional coverage across Asia, including Australia, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand, Japan and Mainland China. The firm boasts a prominent regulatory practice, advising multinational companies on compliance with various governments' data protection and cybersecurity legislation. The team is also adept at risk management, internal privacy policies, including managing employee personal data, and cybersecurity. It has an impressive clientele, advising companies in the technology, life sciences, hotels and financial services spaces.

DLA Piper provides a noteworthy pan-Asia offering, which is well integrated into its global practice. It demonstrates particularly strong capability in Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand, Australia and New Zealand. The firm regularly advises clients on their data compliance and audit programmes, and data breach responses, including notifications and investigations, as well as data transfer.

Hogan Lovells fields an outstanding global data protection practice, which includes a highly respected Asia-wide outfit and is especially well regarded in China. The firm has expertise across data sharing and transfers, commercialisation and the data protection aspects of technology projects, including digitisation and the introduction of AI. In addition, its extensive international team is able to handle multi-jurisdictional compliance audits and is also active in thought leadership.

Bird & Bird has a well-rounded data protection practice, with a particularly strong presence in Singapore, China and Australia. The firm advises on comprehensive data compliance strategies and cyber disputes that often span multiple jurisdictions. Its clientele includes prominent international companies in financial services, technology and AI.

King & Wood Mallesons possesses an accomplished regulatory practice and often advises clients on compliance with data, privacy and cybersecurity legislation across multiple jurisdictions in Asia, though the firm is singled out for its expertise in China and Australia. Its teams handle cross-border data-sharing matters, reviewing internal policies regarding personal and sensitive data as well as breach incidents, investigations and related litigation. The firm also has experience advising governmental organisations on developing its regulatory regimes.

Norton Rose Fulbright advises on compliance with data protection laws concerning data transfer, data storage, and new technology and data-intensive products such as AI. The team handles APAC-wide audits and reviews of clients' data policies, as well as their liaisons with regulators and responses to data access requests. The firm also assists clients with responding to cybersecurity and data breaches, including reporting obligations and investigations.

Atmos is recognised for its expertise in cyber incident response and privacy advisory work, operating across Australia and New Zealand and supporting multinational clients globally. The team frequently handles complex ransomware, extortion and third-party breach incidents, including high-stakes cases requiring multi-party coordination, regulatory engagement and litigation. It also advises on emerging issues such as AI governance and risk management, and undertakes strategic privacy and data governance reviews for major organisations, alongside board-level cyber readiness and resilience programmes.

Clyde & Co has significant experience handling data and cybersecurity breaches, including assisting clients with breach response plans, crisis management, data breach notifications and investigations. The firm has notable APAC-wide coverage, particularly in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Hong Kong, and is skilled at coordinating responses across multiple jurisdictions. Its teams also advise clients on compliance strategy and internal policy reviews. In addition, the firm can draw on its highly regarded insurance practice to handle cyber and financial insurance matters.

Latham & Watkins has offices in China, Singapore, South Korea and Japan and can draw on its extensive experience in the life sciences, financial services, litigation and corporate arenas to provide a comprehensive and integrated service. In addition to advising on the data protection aspects of investments and market entry, the firm regularly assists clients with their multi-jurisdictional compliance programmes, including the distribution of technology-based products in the health, fintech and media industries. The teams also have expertise in compliance with data use and breach regulations, updating companies' privacy policies and responding to investigatory proceedings.

Linklaters boasts a prominent regional presence with offices and close alliances with local firms throughout Asia. The firm's reach, as well as its breadth of practice, which spans data compliance audits, breach responses and investigations, makes the firm a popular choice for businesses operating in the region. Its clientele includes global banks, technology firms and consumer companies.

Morrison Foerster is well regarded for handling clients' privacy obligations in highly regulated sectors such as telecommunications, technology and financial services. It regularly advises on compliance with China's cybersecurity law, including data export security assessment issues and data localisation, as well as notable coverage of Japan and Singapore. Additionally, the firm is recognised for its track record of advising on data breaches and subsequent investigations by the regulator.

Nishimura & Asahi is a leading Japanese firm with notable practices in China, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar. The firm has a growing data protection practice, which already fields a number of specialists in the area who have experience with regulatory investigations and disputes, compliance across multiple jurisdictions and data localisation. Its teams also handle privacy impact assessment, data processing and internal policy reviews.

Anderson Mori & Tomotsune is recognised for its strong technology practice, with the firm's prominent Japanese presence frequently seeing them assist well-known Japanese organisations on sensitive and complex data protection mandates. The reputed team has experience advising on matters pertaining to data protection and AI policies, cyber security and data utilisation.

Clifford Chance's reputed data protection practice spans across the APAC region. The firm frequently advises high-profile clients on sensitive matters, and has demonstrated commendable expertise in handling matters concerning data compliance, privacy policies and AI regulations.

Drew & Napier's well-known data protection practice has displayed strength in acting for clients across multiple Asia Pacific countries. The firm has experience acting for well-known domestic and multinational clients on the handling of personal data, reviewing data protection policies and assisting with data compliance queries.

The Mayer Brown team is well versed in data protection matters, with a strong track record of advising clients on compliance with existing and new legislation across the region. The firm advises on personal data requirements, data management systems and cross-border transfers. Furthermore, the firm also assists in responding to cybersecurity breaches, including litigation. It advises clients from a broad range of sectors, including media, technology, manufacturing and insurance.

Rajah & Tann Asia is a renowned Singapore firm with coverage of China and South-East Asia. The teams assists with a broad range of regulatory issues including multinational compliance programmes, data governance and data transfer. It is also adept at handling data breaches and investigations. The firm regularly advises clients from the financial services, insurance, manufacturing, healthcare and life sciences, retail and real estate sectors.

Wotton Kearney has a notable Australasian offering which attracts praise for its cybersecurity practice. Its team regularly assists companies with data breaches, ransomware attacks and other cybersecurity incidents, including incident response management, liability and data loss advice, and regulatory investigations. The firm also possesses a highly regarded insurance practice and is well placed to offer complex coverage advice.