TMT: Information Technology | Europe

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.

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.

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 law firm White & Case comes highly recommended for its strength in IT and data protection law mandates. The team regularly advises on large IT outsourcings, platform establishments and a variety of contentious mandates. The firm exhibits additional expertise in M&A-related IT issues, partnership agreements and the implementation of security systems across Europe. Furthermore, White & Case enjoys a strong reputation for its data protection capabilities, assisting with cyber attacks and large data breach proceedings. Its extensive international footprint allows the effective handling of cross-border mandates, where White & Case often acts for clients from the financial, automotive and technology sectors.

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.

Covington & Burling houses a dedicated IT law department which regularly acts on national and cross-border mandates. The team assists with outsourcings, complex platform and app launches, cooperation agreements, market entries and cryptocurrencies. Clients also benefit from the law firm's strength in handling cloud procurement and licensing agreements as well as data privacy-related topics such as global data sharing. Covington & Burling is particularly active in the healthcare and banking sectors and a good choice for clients seeking interdisciplinary advice on IT and data protection issues.

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.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer 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.

Osborne Clarke is an internationally renowned firm with expertise across TMT, operating from Cologne and Hamburg. The practice group regularly assists with IT outsourcing, digitalisation projects and licensing agreements as well as strategic partnerships. The firm is also considered a top choice for data protection issues, advising on international data transfers, GDPR compliance and employee data processing. Its additional strength in compensation claims pertaining to data breaches complements its services. In addition to its particular strength in gaming law, the team assists with youth protection, copyright and advertisement mandates as well as product launches. Its client roster includes household names from the publishing, media, technology and pharmaceutical sectors.

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.

Gleiss Lutz regularly advises clients on a broad variety of IT mandates. The law firm is particularly active on IT contract framework agreements, with further prowess in handling cooperation agreements and outsourcing projects. Additionally, the team assists with e-commerce issues including distribution systems and data protection mandates, such as those pertaining to new information offerings. Besides its strengths in non-contentious work, Gleiss Lutz acts for clients on software development and telecommunications disputes, and shows strength in international mandates. The firm's clientele includes DAX corporations and other companies from the insurance, public, and software and technology sectors.

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.

As a respected German law firm, Luther advises clients from the energy, chemicals and food sectors on various IT mandates. The team is particularly active in the negotiation of IT contracts, with expertise in outsourcing, distribution and licensing agreements. Additionally, the law firm assists with cross-border joint venture set-ups. Clients also benefit from Luther's experience in handling data protection mandates including data transfers and data retention projects, which makes the firm an attractive choice for a diverse clientele.