TMT | Europe

August Debouzy has a strong practice offering market-leading services in IT. The law firm represents clients in domestic and international matters, including IT agreements, transactions and disputes. It advises leading IT providers and communications companies, as well as clients from the retail, energy and financial services industries. The team also handles GDPR compliance programmes and data protection matters. August Debouzy increasingly assists clients with digital transformation mandates and is additionally noted for its expertise in e-commerce.

Baker McKenzie hosts a market-leading IT practice well versed in outsourcing, digital transformations and IT disputes, as well as regulatory and cybercrime matters. The law firm is popular with clients from sectors such as retail, banking and transportation. Baker McKenzie also advises on data protection and e-commerce mandates, with further activity assisting with IT contracts and licensing. The team draws on its vast network to advise clients on cross-border matters.

DLA Piper has a strong team that is well versed in the IT aspects of corporate and litigious mandates, advising prominent clients from sectors including manufacturing, aviation and luxury goods. The law firm also handles outsourcing and e-commerce issues. DLA Piper acts for clients on data protection matters, including GDPR compliance programmes and privacy policies. The team assists with cross-border mandates, on both a European and global scale.

Bird & Bird has a well-recognised team in IT and data protection law and moves up the rankings this year. The law firm regularly advises on new technologies, including matters related to e-commerce and cloud services agreements. The lawyers also handle contentious matters arising from IT agreements and counterfeit software. The team represents software companies, as well as clients from the insurance, retail and telecommunications sectors.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher frequently acts on IT contracts, such as outsourcing, cloud services and SaaS agreements. The team advises local and foreign clients from the utilities, financial services and automotive industries. The lawyers also assist clients with data protection issues, including in the course of investigations led by regulating authorities. The law firm has the ability to handle cross-border mandates.

De Gaulle Fleurance boasts a cross-practice approach covering IT and media law. The law firm possesses a broad range of litigation expertise including software licence agreement disputes and copyright infringement cases. Additional areas of expertise include advising financial services and healthcare sector clients on new technology regulations, IT agreements and data protection compliance. De Gaulle Fleurance represents clients across the entertainment sector, including television networks, film producers and content creators.

Gide Loyrette Nouel is well versed in a range of TMT issues, including IT licence agreements, data privacy compliance, and media and entertainment mandates. The team also handles contentious cases involving advertising regulations and distribution contracts. The lawyers represent a range of clients, including corporates, technology companies, financial institutions and online retailers.

Hogan Lovells boasts strong expertise in IT contracts and transactions, as well as data regulations and compliance. The lawyers represent a range of French and international clients, including social media and software companies, startups and financial institutions.

Jones Day boasts a team with deep experience in telecommunications cases. The international firm benefits from its cross-border offices to advise clients with multinational operations, as well as its ability to advise on regulatory and transactional telecoms work in francophone Africa.

Osborne Clarke enters the rankings this year. It leverages broad expertise in the TMT sector on behalf of its international client base, including software publishers and digital platforms. Its lawyers advise on IT strategic partnerships and data protection, as well as European regulatory frameworks for digital media.

Taylor Wessing has a recognised practice in the media and entertainment sector, as well as the ability to cover IT and digital media issues. Its lawyers collaborate with the law firm's offices in other jurisdictions, and its international client base includes audiovisual production houses and technology companies.

White & Case is an internationally renowned firm with a noted IT and data protection offering and expertise in contentious proceedings and regulatory matters. Its lawyers are sought after by blue-chip clients and advise in collaboration with other practice areas and offices.