TMT: Data Protection | Germany

Considered one of Germany's top data protection law firms, Latham & Watkins frequently assists with nationwide and cross-border mandates. The team is regularly involved in complex fine proceedings and claims pertaining to data leaks and alleged GDPR violations, where its clients include leading automotive manufacturers, large private equity firms and real estate companies. Besides its strength in contentious mandates, Latham & Watkins assists with data protection assessments for app launches, international investigations and the establishment of whistle-blower systems as well as GDPR implementation.

Baker McKenzie houses high-level IT and telecommunications departments, catering to a diverse clientele from the automotive, technology and software sectors. The team often assists with large IT projects in the automotive industry, handling digital products and contract negotiations. The firm has additional expertise in data protection law, handling cybersecurity and administrative proceedings pertaining to alleged GDPR violations. Furthermore, Baker McKenzie is highly respected for its work on telecommunications regulation including Europe-wide EECC and comprehensive compliance advice. With its prowess in handling M&A transactions in the telecommunications world, the department shows itself to be well rounded. As an internationally present law firm, Baker McKenzie is a top choice for clients seeking cross-border capabilities.

The international law firm Bird & Bird stands out for its top-tier telecommunications practice, with further notable capabilities in IT and data protection mandates. The team regularly assists with nationwide 5G rollouts, broadband expansions and product launches, with further expertise in regulatory mandates covering EECC and frequency allocations. Furthermore, the law firm is recommended for its experience in IT procurement, outsourcing and the development of new platforms as well as IT security. Its expertise in data protection ranges from GDPR compliance and data breaches to international data transfers and proceedings. The practice is well positioned to cater to a diverse clientele, which encompasses well-known telecommunications providers, technology companies and car manufacturers, further illustrating its market standing aided by its excellent international network.

DLA Piper is an international full-service law firm with strong expertise in data protection and IT law. The team regularly advises on IT outsourcing, novel mobility concepts and platform rollouts as well as digitalisation projects. Its services are strengthened by its prowess in handling data protection mandates ranging from data breach disputes and international data transfers to GDPR compliance. Furthermore, the law firm offers media law advice, whereby the team assists with gaming law, broadcasting licences and press law. Its expertise in advertisement law and M&A-related issues as well as disputes complements DLA Piper's holistic offerings. Its client roster spans market leaders in the digital and print publishing, technology and automotive industries.

Noerr is a German law firm boasting incredible bench strength across its offices and offering outstanding TMT advice. The firm is particularly appreciated for its expertise in IT law, ranging from large outsourcings and global IT infrastructure projects to the implementation of software systems and projects. The firm's additional strength in IT-related litigation as well as data protection issues such as data leaks and healthcare-related data processing complements its strong offering. Additionally, the law firm gains praise for its advisory work in the telecommunications sector, assisting with network rollouts, licensing procedures and broadband expansions as well as network sharing. Furthermore, Noerr's media practice is appreciated for its prowess in handling copyright, broadcasting and online streaming as well as film production-related mandates. Similarly, clients benefit from the team's experience in funding and discrimination disputes. Its clientele, comprising international market leaders from the technology, financial services, automotive and pharmaceutical sectors, attests to the firm's excellent market standing.

Taylor Wessing houses a well-reputed TMT practice. The team regularly assists with IT procurements, cooperation agreements in the digital healthcare and automotive sectors, and market entries. Its further strength in IT security adds to the firm's offering. Additionally, the practice enjoys a strong standing in the data protection arena, assisting with large data transfer projects and liability proceedings. Taylor Wessing also advises clients on media law mandates, covering copyright, platform and gaming issues as well as streaming service and online marketing matters. Its clientele includes players from the technology, publishing, real estate and telecommunications sectors.

CMS boasts impressive bench strength with expertise across the full spectrum of TMT. The team has a top-tier offering for IT mandates, displaying involvement in complex mandates including outsourcing, cloud contracts and product rollouts as well as the implementation of large IT structures. Additionally, clients enjoy the firm's prowess in handling blockchain technologies, M&A transactions and data protection issues including data transfers, cyber attacks and GDPR compliance. The department also remains one of Germany's top media law firms, with particular expertise in e-sports, online streaming and copyright law. CMS's additional strength in freedom of expression, licensing and personality rights cases as well as gaming law complements its offering. Lastly, the team advises on EECC, cooperation agreements and nationwide network creations within the telecommunications sector. Its prestigious clientele includes multinational telecommunications providers, banks, e-commerce platforms and public broadcasters.

Eversheds Sutherland's technology, data privacy and cybersecurity group in Germany supports clients often hailing from the retail and technology sectors across the full span of issues in the field from GDPR and IT contracts to AI governance, DORA and the EU Data Act.

Freshfields is a respected full-service law firm with a comprehensive TMT offering spanning telecommunications, IT and media law. Its team is particularly known for assisting with telecommunications regulation and M&A transactions, covering issues such as new broadband connections and the EECC. Additionally, Freshfields receives praise for its strength in IT law advising on M&A-related IT issues as well as outsourcing projects, fintech, application development and software agreements. The firm complements its holistic offering with its media law coverage, often advising on broadcasting licences, competition law and consumer protection as well as gambling advertising.

The international law firm Hogan Lovells houses a respected IT team with experience across all relevant areas. Besides its expertise in digitalisation projects, app launches and platform-related issues, the team is known for handling data protection-related mandates including data flows and EU Digital Services Act compliance. Additionally, the team is sought after to assist with novel IT and AI mandates, as well as fibre optic network rollouts. Due to its strong interaction with its IP team, Hogan Lovells caters to various client needs, especially in contentious mandates. With its international reach, the law firm easily manages cross-border mandates for national and international clients from the technology, automotive and healthcare sectors.

The international law firm Jones Day houses a recognised TMT practice with expertise in telecommunications as well as data protection mandates. The team regularly advises on telecommunications regulation such as EECC, with further prowess in handling broadcasting licences and electronic communication issues. Clients also benefit from the team's expertise in regulatory proceedings in front of national and European authorities. Furthermore, the data protection team assists with GDPR compliance, the implementation of whistle-blower systems and M&A-related data transfers. Jones Day regularly caters to clients from the hospitality, software and financial services sectors, where it draws on a strong international office network.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe's IT, cyber, privacy and data innovation group in Germany foremostly advises technology clients on their data usage, but more broadly supports on a breadth of data and cybersecurity compliance issues, in addition to security incident preparation and response and regulatory investigations and enforcement.

PLANIT // LEGAL is a Hamburg-based boutique law firm focusing on IT and data protection law. Its team of experts advises a range of German and international clients on data protection compliance, privacy litigation and digitalisation matters.

The WilmerHale team around Martin Braun is particularly well known for representing high-profile technology multinationals in data protection-related litigation before German and EU courts. It also advises clients on data breaches.