Ranking tables
UK UK-wide Data Protection & Information Law
Band 1
Bristows LLP
Fieldfisher
Hogan Lovells- Bird & Bird
Band 3
Dentons
DLA Piper LLP
Latham & Watkins LLP
Sidley Austin LLP- Allen & Overy LLP
- Hunton Andrews Kurth
- Pinsent Masons
Band 4
Senior Statespeople
Star Individuals
- Eduardo Ustaran Hogan Lovells
Mark Watts Bristows LLP- Ruth BoardmanBird & Bird
Band 1
Band 2
Band 3
- Adam Rose Mishcon de Reya LLP
- Elle Todd Reed Smith LLP
- Hans Allnutt DAC Beachcroft LLP
- Liz Fitzsimons Eversheds Sutherland
Mark Young Covington & Burling LLP- Nicola Fulford Hogan Lovells
- Peter Church Linklaters
Rohan Massey Ropes & Gray LLP
Tim Hickman White & Case LLP- Victoria Hordern Taylor Wessing
William Long Sidley Austin LLP- David BarkerPinsent Masons
- James MullockBird & Bird
- Jonathan KirsopPinsent Masons
- Marcus EvansNorton Rose Fulbright
- Ravi NaikAWO
- Rhiannon WebsterAshurst
Band 4
Alexander Milner-Smith Lewis Silkin
Ashley Hurst Osborne Clarke LLP
Beverley Flynn Stevens & Bolton LLP- Georgina Kon Linklaters
Giles Pratt Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
Ian Birdsey Clyde & Co LLP
Ian De Freitas Farrer & Co LLP- James Drury-Smith DWF
Jon Bartley RPC- Julian Cunningham-Day Linklaters
Luke Dixon Freeths LLP
Nick Mathys Lewis Mathys Emmerson LLP
Oliver Yaros Mayer Brown International LLP
Rafi Azim-Khan Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
Sarah Pearce Hunton Andrews Kurth
Sean Humber Leigh Day- Simon Elliott Dentons
Vinod K Bange Baker McKenzie- Alexander BrownSimmons & Simmons LLP
- Gabriel VoisinBird & Bird
- Miriam EverettHerbert Smith Freehills
- Nigel ParkerAllen & Overy LLP
- Stephanie PritchettPritchetts
Up and Coming
Associates to watch
Calum Docherty Latham & Watkins
Florence Maxwell Clarion
Hannah Crowther Bristows LLP
Herbert Swaniker Clifford Chance LLP
Jamie Drucker Bristows LLP
Joanna de Fonseka Baker McKenzie
John McGovern Baker McKenzie- Katie McMullan Hogan Lovells
- Patrick O'Connell Linklaters
- Alex JamesonBird & Bird
- Cassie Roddy-MullineauxAWO
- Karishma BrahmbhattAllen & Overy LLP
Band 1
1 Bristows LLPData Protection & Information Law2023 | Band 1 |Bristows' extremely experienced and accomplished data team specialises in data protection from both advisory and contentious perspectives. It provides compliance advice to multinational companies concerning emerging technologies and data handling regimes, and lawyers regularly work with clients on data breaches. The team enjoys a reputation as a go-to practice for cross-border privacy disputes and regulatory concerns.1 FieldfisherData Protection & Information Law2023 | Band 1 |Fieldfisher fields a high standard of expertise in the full range of data protection and information law issues. Its areas of focus include data transfers, cyber breaches, data security and compliance with adtech regulations. The team has especially strong capabilities in regard to challenging regulatory decisions and brings a global perspective to its broad roster of work, which includes a focus on the impact of the Privacy Shield on international data transfers and all aspects of GDPR.1 Hogan LovellsData Protection & Information Law2023 | Band 1 |Hogan Lovells deploys an excellent team of data protection and privacy specialists in the full range of issues faced by clients around the world. Practitioners work with household names in the insurance, telecommunications and automotive sectors, among others. They are experienced in providing counsel on BCR applications and on new and prospective public policy changes, and take a prominent role in thought leadership. They demonstrate comprehensive understanding of GDPR and its corporate implications, as well as extensive cross-border regulatory connections.
Band 2
2 Covington & Burling LLPData Protection & Information Law2023 | Band 2 |Covington & Burling offers nuanced and sophisticated advice on information law issues, including on the need to balance worldwide data transfer policies with competing regulatory regimes. It is especially highly regarded in terms of the data protection issues facing clients in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries, as well as technology companies. It fields strong international resources, policy development experience and notable contentious capabilities. The team regularly works with well-known names in the financial services, media and technology fields.
2 Eversheds SutherlandData Protection & Information Law2023 | Band 2 |Eversheds Sutherland is experienced in a diverse range of issues within information law, including the Freedom of Information Act and the Environmental Information Regulations. The team has additional expertise in cybersecurity and advising retailers. It is well equipped to handle emerging areas such as the impact of Brexit on data protection and is also adept at advising on cross-border issues.
2 LinklatersData Protection & Information Law2023 | Band 2 |Linklaters has a large team of solicitors at all levels of seniority with substantial expertise in advising multinational clients on information law issues. It is especially highly regarded for contentious matters where there is an overlap with media and telecommunications law. The team frequently acts on large-scale cross-border mandates, drawing on its strong global offering. It is also recognised for activity in the accounting, healthcare, banking and retail industries.
Band 3
3 DentonsData Protection & Information Law2023 | Band 3 |Dentons has the reach to provide comprehensive compliance design advice to the largest of clients operating in all major regulatory regimes. It regularly works with clients in aviation, energy and retail and the team is especially good on the application of information law to social media. It draws on impressive multi-jurisdictional resources to assist wide-ranging companies with GDPR compliance and cybersecurity concerns, including responding to major incidents.3 DLA Piper LLPData Protection & Information Law2023 | Band 3 |DLA Piper is an extremely well-resourced firm with the international reach to handle global information law projects. It has impressive expertise in data protection issues facing clients in the technology, life sciences and financial services sectors. The practitioners are experts on issues such as GDPR compliance, cybersecurity and e-commerce.3 Latham & Watkins LLPData Protection & Information Law2023 | Band 3 |Latham & Watkins has data protection expertise located in many key jurisdictions, offering experience and resources in data-rich sectors such as technology and financial services. The team's areas of focus include cybersecurity and data breaches, regulatory compliance and cross-border disputes and investigations.3 Sidley Austin LLPData Protection & Information Law2023 | Band 3 |Sidley Austin has up-to-the-minute command of data and information law in support of firm-wide specialisations in heavily regulated industries, such as life sciences, healthcare and financial services. The team regularly advises on data transfers and the implications of GDPR, and is often instructed on international data breach work.
Band 4
4 Baker McKenzieData Protection & Information Law2023 | Band 4 |Clients across a range of highly regulated sectors, including tech, media and healthcare benefit from Baker McKenzie's extensive GDPR experience. The team advises on ICO investigations and assists clients with DSARs, and its global platform makes the firm a natural choice for clients seeking international privacy counsel.
4 Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLPData Protection & Information Law2023 | Band 4 |Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner retains experienced practitioners known particularly for their handling of complex contentious proceedings turning on central issues of data protection and information law. The team is noted for advice on matters relating to the Freedom of Information Act. It has significant experience in allegations of hacking and the misuse of personal data, as well as the provision of GDPR compliance counsel for a wide-ranging client base and is well equipped to advise clients on the coordination of their international data protection policies.
4 Farrer & Co LLPData Protection & Information Law2023 | Band 4 |Farrer & Co's experienced team of information law experts handles data protection matters for a range of clients, including compliance projects for the transfer of data domestically and within the EU. It is particularly active in sports, media, higher education and the third sector, and its expertise includes advising public authorities on ICO proceedings and handling data protection issues arising from child safeguarding matters. The team is also noted for cybersecurity matters.
4 Mishcon de Reya LLPData Protection & Information Law2023 | Band 4 |Mishcon de Reya's team advises on the full range of data protection matters, while attracting particular praise for its strength in litigation such as major collective actions. The team is also recognised for its expert handling of non-contentious GDPR requirements and FOI mandates.
4 Osborne Clarke LLPData Protection & Information Law2023 | Band 4 |Osborne Clarke has a technology-focused data protection practice with a client list featuring a large number of the most prominent and sophisticated companies in the sector. It has further experience in relation to the financial services, energy, media and communications industries, and the team demonstrates broad international reach. Notable strengths lie in subject access request and crisis management, including cases involving the ICO.
4 Reed Smith LLPData Protection & Information Law2023 | Band 4 |Reed Smith has wide-ranging specialist expertise with a particular emphasis on the energy, life sciences, entertainment and financial services industries. The team is recommended for its counsel on complex information law issues to clients with international requirements and reliant on cross-border data transfers. It draws on longstanding technological expertise when advising on developing issues such as virtual reality privacy issues and the fintech market.
4 Taylor WessingData Protection & Information Law2023 | Band 4 |Taylor Wessing has a large group of specialists in data protection and information law. The team is especially well regarded for critical data breaches and the compliance issues associated with the transfer of information between jurisdictions. It is adept at advising on the development of privacy-related technology for an impressive global client base and works with many in the banking, private equity and accounting sectors.
4 White & Case LLPData Protection & Information Law2023 | Band 4 |White & Case is a global firm with the resources and expertise to handle multi-jurisdictional compliance programme design for household-name clients in a number of industries. Handling matters such as data breaches, privacy policies and international data transfers, the team retains especially large client followings in the financial services and technology sectors. It is noted for its extensive thought leadership in areas such as the implications of GDPR.
Band 5
5 Bates WellsData Protection & Information Law2023 | Band 5 |Bates Wells employs its highly developed information law capabilities in relation to the charity and third sector. The firm is experienced in handling contentious proceedings in connection with data protection, including cases heard in the Supreme Court. It also advises on matters concerning the Freedom of Information Act. The team attracts an impressively diverse nationwide client base that includes healthcare entities and public sector bodies.
5 Bindmans LLPData Protection & Information Law2023 | Band 5 |Bindmans is recognised for working with individual claimants, NGOs and third-sector clients. The team demonstrates expertise in cross-border data sharing agreements and the transfer of personal data to third countries.
5 Clifford Chance LLPData Protection & Information Law2023 | Band 5 |Clifford Chance retains profound expertise in the data and information law implications of complex corporate and commercial transactions. Practitioners are experienced in handling issues such as GDPR, both contentious and non-contentious, and data aspects of M&A, and the team has the resources to advise clients on compliance programmes spanning multiple jurisdictions.
5 DAC Beachcroft LLPData Protection & Information Law2023 | Band 5 |DAC Beachcroft has a respected data protection practice with strength in contentious and non-contentious cases. The team's expertise includes handling ICO investigations and liaising with other regulatory bodies, and it is well regarded for its ability to advise clients across the insurance market.
5 Deloitte LegalData Protection & Information Law2023 | Band 5 |Deloitte Legal's team has a noteworthy presence within the domain of data protection, serving the firm's extensive commercial client base of technology, media and telecommunications organisations. Its expertise covers areas such as GDPR compliance, data breaches and BCRs. It is particularly experienced in handling technology-related matters, including privacy implications of automated processing and big data analytics.
5 DWFData Protection & Information Law2023 | Band 5 |DWF's well-regarded team focuses on representing clients in non-contentious and contentious data protection matters. The team is sought out by clients from a range of sectors for advice concerning cybersecurity and data investigations, and has expertise in GDPR compliance and risk management.
5 Freshfields Bruckhaus DeringerData Protection & Information Law2023 | Band 5 |Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is a global firm able to handle a range of regulatory matters. The team's capabilities span GDPR, cybersecurity, breach response and ICO investigations. The firm's broad client base ranges from blue-chip corporates to charities.
5 Lewis SilkinData Protection & Information Law2023 | Band 5 |Lewis Silkin's diverse data protection practice encompasses a range of sectors from financial services to media and entertainment. It is particularly well known for the handling of sensitive data relating to employment. The team frequently advises on GDPR compliance and provides support with compliant adtech. The team also handles contentious matters, including breaches and subject access requests.
5 Mills & Reeve LLPData Protection & Information Law2023 | Band 5 |Mills & Reeve has expertise in a wide range of information law issues faced by clients in sectors such as education, healthcare, life sciences and technology among others. The team is especially well known for designing robust and flexible compliance programmes in accordance with the requirements of the Data Protection Act, Freedom of Information Act and Environmental Information Regulations.
5 Shoosmiths LLPData Protection & Information Law2023 | Band 5 |Shoosmiths offers data protection expertise to household-name brands. The team is adept in leading data training sessions as well as advising clients on international data transfers and the use of data in connection to biotech and adtech.
5 Womble Bond Dickinson UK LLPData Protection & Information Law2023 | Band 5 |Womble Bond Dickinson's core team of information law specialists provides high-level counsel to clients with complex data protection requirements. It advises large corporates as well as public sector organisations on all manner of advisory and contentious matters. The team's expertise covers GDPR compliance and professional training programmes and it draws on a wide global network to provide multi-jurisdictional advice to its broad national client base.