Data Protection | Europe

Bird & Bird boasts a highly esteemed data protection offering across Europe with particular strength in the UK and Italy, as well as Germany, France and Spain. The firm is popular with global companies for data retention obligations and privacy investigations. It also assists with data transfer and cloud security matters. It is particularly active for clients in the automotive, technology, financial and consumer goods sectors, advising on GDPR implementation and compliance with new regulations. Bird & Bird also handles data protection matters relating to digitalisation, including artificial intelligence matters.

Hogan Lovells comprises a large team with particularly strong offices in the UK and Spain, with additional market presence in both Germany and Italy. The firm is highly active on Binding Corporate Rules, privacy investigations, GDPR compliance and international data transfers. It additionally advises on cybersecurity matters and on complex data issues involving new technologies such as connected cars, as well as health data matters. Hogan Lovells' notable client base spans the technology, consumer goods and automotive spaces.

Baker McKenzie has a number of strong data protection teams across Europe with exceptionally notable offices in Germany, France and Poland. The firm frequently acts for multinational clients on cross-border data transfers and the development of Binding Corporate Rules projects. It also advises on investigations and data security strategies and incident responses. The law firm is highly sought after for GDPR and ePrivacy compliance, as well as third-party data processing. It further handles data issues connected to new technologies such as artificial intelligence.

Covington & Burling boasts highly regarded teams in Brussels, London and Germany. The firm is particularly active in the pharmaceutical and technology sectors, assisting with matters concerning international data transfers, as well as privacy-related litigation and regulation. The firm handles data breaches and GDPR compliance. It is complemented by a renowned government affairs and regulatory practice, allowing for a superb grasp of the legal implications of emergent policy and legislation, including the impact of artificial intelligence technology and Brexit on data protection matters.

London-based practice Bristows frequently acts for technology companies on social network-related data protection. The firm is well known for assisting with data breach investigations, cyber security and impact assessments. It regularly advises clients on compliance matters related to GDPR and expertise in Binding Corporate Rules. Bristows is further active in matters concerning artificial intelligence compliance and represents clients in regulation-related litigation.

DLA Piper has a broad European network with exceptional offices in Belgium and France. The firm has an additional presence in Germany, Spain and the UK. Its particular areas of focus include privacy policies, with advice offered to IT sector clients on cybersecurity matters. It acts for clients from the media, pharmaceutical and consumer goods sectors on GDPR-related matters.

Notable international firm Latham & Watkins has reputable branches in the UK and Germany. It acts for leading corporates on multi-jurisdictional privacy issues, GDPR compliance and cybersecurity and data breach issues. The law firm also assists with data alleged regulation violations. Clients hail from the consumer goods, automotive, technology and financial services sectors.

Linklaters has an outstanding team in Brussels, with an additionally strong offering in London. The law firm advises clients operating in the finance, automotive and audit spaces on data transfer solutions and privacy policies. It has further capabilites assisting with privacy matters involving new technology, such as cloud solutions, and frequently advises clients on data breach issues. The firm also assists with GDPR implementation and compliance, as well as Binding Corporate Rules.

The firm has a notable data protection presence in Brussels, in addition to offices in London and Amsterdam. The team is highly active in GDPR compliance and assisting clients with regulatory issues before the ICO. It also handles data breaches and data processing cases. The lawyers often act for clients in the retail, technology and banking sectors. On 1st May 2024, Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling merged to form A&O Shearman.

CMS has prominent data protection capacity in its UK and Belgium offices. The firm handles a range of matters, including BCR applications, GPDR and investigations as well as advice on cybersecurity. It frequently acts for clients in the telecommunications and financial services industries.

Dentons has expansive reach across Europe with presence in Poland, Italy and the UK. The law firm is highly active on cross-border data protection mandates and utilises its impressive network of offices. It often advises clients on GDPR matters including compliance, as well as data protection strategies. It also offers capabilities in cybersecurity matters, including responding to major incidents.

Osborne Clarke's offices in the UK, Germany and Spain have a reputable data protection. The firm advises clients in regulated sectors, including financial services and energy, on subject access requests and crisis management involving the ICO. It has further expertise in data transfers and data breach claims.

White & Case has notable offices in both the UK and Germany. It is active assisting with cloud services, data collection and transfers. The lawyers are further active advising prominent international clients on compliance with GDPR and data breaches and investigations. The law firm also handles contentious matters, including representing high-profile IT clients in data privacy-related litigation.