UK London (Firms) Information Technology & Outsourcing

Baker McKenzie's top-tier team is able to offer rounded advice to customers and service providers. It acts for household-name corporates and cutting-edge startups, drawing upon the firm's comprehensive understanding of the technical and commercial issues affecting businesses in all sectors of the economy. It frequently advises telecoms giants on IT arrangements vital to their operations. It is also well versed in handling contentious matters arising from disputes between suppliers and customers.

Bristows has a comprehensive IT practice with powerful resources for major commercial transactions and complex litigation. It advises many of the world's leading technology companies, and also sophisticated blue-chip buyers of IT services. It is especially adept at providing counsel on the most current and cutting-edge issues in the technology space. Bristows houses experienced advisers on digital advertising and cloud computing matters.

DLA Piper enjoys a deep bench of specialised lawyers able to perform strongly on a wide range of matters, including tech sector disputes and contentious negotiations, cloud computing and the IT implications of M&A transactions. A network of global offices ensures the team is able to handle significant cross-border matters, and it is well placed to assist start-ups and early-stage companies with their growth strategies. It is also accomplished at helping established companies make technology-related efficiency gains.

Fieldfisher has a longstanding specialism in IT, advising on transactions involving cutting-edge technology and complex digital transformation projects. It acts for vendors, large public and private sector customers, and emerging technology, fintech, digital media and e-commerce companies. The firm has a substantial Silicon Valley presence ensures ever greater access to cutting-edge developments in the field.

Linklaters boasts a full-service offering, combining a dynamic technology practice with magic circle financial services and capital markets expertise. Linklaters has extensive knowledge of IT systems, as used by retailers, energy companies and government departments. The team is able to offer comprehensive advice on the regulatory and legislative environment surrounding new technologies.

Milbank is renowned for its representation of global corporates in the acquisition of new technology systems and services and in litigation. The firm maintains a nationally and globally recognised outsourcing practice. The team has extensive experience in heavily regulated sectors, such as financial services and pharmaceuticals, but is also highly knowledgeable on the IT requirements of clients in many other industries.

As a tech-focused firm, Osborne Clarke is engaged on a wide variety of IT projects, from advising on business-critical systems for small and medium-sized companies to providing counsel on cutting-edge startup development. It also assists major technology companies with the development of new user-facing products. The team is noted for deep expertise in telecommunications systems.

Taylor Wessing's celebrated technology practice is able to handle the most ambitious IT-led business transformation and outsourcing projects. The team is highly experienced in helping startups, growth-stage and 'unicorn' companies as they seek to develop and commercialise cutting-edge technologies. The team is noted for activity in sophisticated market segments such as automotive, gaming and fintech.

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner advises customers and vendors of complex technology services, often on cutting-edge cloud, fintech and data telematics technology. The firm is highly active in technology-driven capital markets and corporate deals. It has particular sector expertise in financial services, healthcare, transport and utilities, and also the IT services industry itself. The team also handles weighty disputes in the sector.

Codified Legal is a technology law boutique able to handle complex contractual arrangements concerning cutting-edge IT systems and services, often as part of sizeable outsourcing projects. It acts for suppliers large and small, and customer clients are drawn mostly from the financial services, telecommunications and charitable sectors.

Dentons has a highly regarded technology group, with the capacity to handle all manner of IT matters, including ambitious outsourcing projects and data protection strategies. Its key clients are drawn largely from the energy, financial services, media, transport and retail sectors. The team also acts for government organisations on significant outsourcing and procurement matters.

Slaughter and May's technology group is renowned for complex outsourcings and joint ventures between innovator companies and corporates concerned with the development of apps and products, such as digital payment platforms. The team also advises central government departments and financial services institutions on major IT projects. Experienced advisers on data analytics and AI.

Addleshaw Goddard is particularly recognised for its strong fintech practice, drawing upon the firm's wider expertise in banking and finance, as well as a technology team with significant strength at associate and partner level. The team advises on the procurement and implementation of a range of technology, including telecommunications, data storage and cloud services. It is also active in online gaming, retail, energy and infrastructure.

Charles Russell Speechlys is known for the high standard of representation to customers and suppliers of IT services in commercial and contentious matters. The team advises on M&A in the technology sector, and has pronounced industry expertise in relation to outsourcing and systems procurement in financial services, digital media, education, retail and luxury goods. It is also recommended for advice on data centre projects.

Clifford Chance is celebrated for its combination of corporate and commercial resources with up-to-the-minute technology expertise. The team is recommended for system and service agreements of all kinds, for IT restructuring projects and also for matters relating to M&A and data protection.

Eversheds has a highly experienced outsourcing practice with significant client followings in the banking, retail and energy sectors as well as among service providers. The firm has significant cross-border capability, with significant resources in the key sourcing hubs of Europe, the USA and Asia. The team is particularly noted for expertise in software licensing.

Harbottle & Lewis's innovative practice draws on the firm's longstanding strengths in digital media and IP. The range of services offered includes contract management, licensing and client service agreements, and advice on data protection issues. The team has a dedicated offering to start-ups and growth-stage technology businesses, and is also noted for expertise in e-commerce, e-sports and AI.

Hogan Lovells advises on the full range of commercial and contentious technology matters, such as outsourcing, IP liability, agile software development and big data. The team is also recommended for expertise in data security, fintech and e-commerce. Its impressive client base consisting in large part of financial services institutions and fast-growing tech companies.

Morrison Foerster has a well-established technology practice complemented by a global platform able to advise on the full range of IT issues. The team is particularly expert on the regulatory issues surrounding technology in European markets, as well as licensing arrangements of all kinds. Morrison Foerster advises emerging as well as established technology companies. Its key customer clients include logistics companies and manufacturers.

Reed Smith is a full-service firm with technology law forming a key part of its overall offering. The tech team acts for buyers of IT services in financial services, life sciences, media, entertainment and executive search, as well as many of the world's leading tech companies. The team is also recommended for advice on data protection and up-to-the-minute knowledge of virtual reality technology.

RPC has a sizeable technology group which handles advisory and contentious matters. The team assists with data, licensing and intellectual property issues arising from tech transactions, as well as disputes between IT consumers and suppliers. It acts for suppliers and customers, with corporate clients drawn from a wide range of sectors, particularly high technology, sports gambling and social media. The team advises prominent BPO service providers and e-commerce companies.

Stephenson Harwood's renowned technology practice draws clients from financial services, healthcare and transport, as well as IT companies providing specialist services to those sectors. The team is experienced in handling corporate and capital markets transactions occurring in the technology sector. Stephenson Harwood's global platform facilitates the smooth implementation of complex projects spanning multiple jurisdictions.

Travers Smith has a wide-ranging technology practice which encompasses regulatory and transactional work for both suppliers and customers. Its recent experience includes advising retailers and online businesses on the implementation of business-critical systems, and the treatment of IT arrangements in M&A transactions. The team has also acted on substantial data protection reviews and other compliance-related projects.