TMT: IT, Telecoms & Data | Global

A&O Shearman is a global powerhouse with a strong TMT practice in the UAE. The firm serves an impressive list of technology and telecoms clients and is well versed in overseeing the drafting of commercial agreements, including outsourcing contracts. The team is very strong on transactional TMT work, assisting major clients with key strategic acquisitions and disposals. It also advises on e-commerce, data protection and telecoms regulatory matters. It is notably commended for its fintech practice and has advised on payment services regulations.

DLA Piper has substantial experience in handling both contentious and non-contentious issues across the TMT spectrum. The firm is often sought out for high-profile projects of national and international importance. IT remains a source of many of the team's most impressive clients, which range from management consultancies to airlines, and the team possesses significant experience in assisting IT companies with contract drafting. The firm's telecoms clients include major names from the UAE and beyond. DLA Piper's work includes the structuring of acquisitions, outsourcing contracts and data protection advice, and the firm is increasingly active on digital transformation projects.

Latham & Watkins has a widely acclaimed fintech practice in Dubai, which acts for well-established financial institutions in addition to emergent e-commerce companies. The firm advises on a range of IT-related commercial contracts as well as high-value M&A transactions involving technology and telecoms companies. Its transactional work also includes matters in the venture capital space. Latham's lawyers are well versed in regulatory compliance programmes and digital transformation initiatives.

Clyde & Co's TMT group works with clients on a broad spread of commercial and regulatory matters. It regularly assists with digital transformation initiatives and IT procurement agreements. Clyde & Co is perhaps best known for its strong presence in the data protection field, where it has considerable experience in counselling clients that are victims of data breaches or ransomware attacks, as well as offering comprehensive guidance on global data protection programmes.

Simmons & Simmons' Dubai office has balanced strengths across TMT, advising telecoms providers and operators on all legal, regulatory and commercial matters, as well as assisting with data protection. The firm also continues to build a strong reputation in fast-developing fintech matters. Clients rely on the team’s deep regulatory expertise, and the firm is often engaged to assist clients with digitalisation strategies and online service rollouts.

CMS has a compact TMT team in Dubai, which is well regarded by its peers in the market. The department handles a variety of IT procurement, cloud computing and data privacy matters on behalf of numerous commercial clients, including real estate developers, financial institutions and e-commerce platforms. The firm also has experience in counselling tech companies on high-profile product launches, and in advising global brands on promotional initiatives in the UAE.

The senior lawyers in Eversheds Sutherland's Middle East TMT team have distinct in-house experience gained at high-profile tech companies, lending clients significant commercial insight. The firm acts for industry leaders across the spectrum of regulatory matters, including with regard to data protection and data privacy issues. It also provides advice across the telecoms sector, and is notably active on mandates relating to cryptocurrency.

Addleshaw Goddard has invested significant resources in the TMT field of late, following recent lateral hires. The newly expanded team has experience in data protection, advising various notable businesses on their obligations in this regard. The firm's corporate team is well versed in joint ventures, spin-offs and acquisitions occurring in the tech and telecoms sectors.

Baker McKenzie is well versed in corporate and commercial matters arising within the technology sector. It regularly assists start-ups with venture capital investments, and is equally capable when it comes to advising on joint ventures. The firm advises numerous clients on compliance with data protection regulations, and has further experience in the establishment or sale of data centres. It regularly co-ordinates its work alongside Baker teams located in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt.

Bird & Bird's UAE offices are well positioned to leverage the firm's global strengths in IP and TMT. The firm has experience in acting for several major tech and fintech names on issues relating to data privacy, cloud computing and AI. The firm's regional dispute resolution group is also able to assist clients with disputes arising in the technology sector.

Hadef & Partners is an independent Emirati law firm with offices in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Its international team of lawyers serves a number of notable regional and global companies in the tech space, providing frequent guidance on licensing, the establishment of joint ventures and other commercial matters, as well as their data protection implications. The firm's transactional work is complemented by strengths in regulatory matters. 

Dubai-headquartered BSA Law maintains offices across the Middle East. Its compact TMT group advises local and international clients on a broad range of issues, including data protection and data privacy matters. The team has experience concerning the launch of new fintech products and e-commerce platforms, and has a depth of knowledge in the region's regulatory landscape.

Reed Smith is well known in the UAE for its capabilities in media and entertainment matters. The team provides an array of advice pertaining to film production, live music performances and the operation of streaming services across the Middle East. It also has experience regarding sponsorship agreements for sporting events. In the tech space, the team provides guidance to big-name clients on the impact of proposed legislative and regulatory changes, as well as advising on data protection issues.

Trowers & Hamlins is noted for its long-standing experience in the Middle East. It maintains a strong TMT group based in Abu Dhabi, which is frequently engaged to advise on IT procurement and outsourcing arrangements. The team has further experience in advising on joint ventures and other commercial agreements, and in providing counsel on data regulatory matters.

White & Case has an up-and-coming team for TMT work in the UAE. It regularly advises well-known private companies on the implications of new laws and regulations in the region, as well as assisting multiple tech start-ups and fintech companies on licensing and data protection matters. The firm is also known for its M&A work in the telecoms industry.