A&O Shearman‘s IT practice focuses on three key areas: advising on disruptive digital transformation projects, assisting with transactions, including outsourcing agreements and software development, and representing clients in relevant disputes. Filip Van Elsen co-heads the firm’s global technology and TMT groups. Peter Van Dyck is noted for his dedication to mandates lying at the intersection of IP law and technology. The team’s junior bench was further strengthened by the arrival of associate Sarah De Wulf from Stibbe in August 2022.

According to clients, Cooley LLP‘s ‘in-depth sector knowledge, visionary approach and tailored client strategies stand out‘. The firm’s cyber, data protection and privacy practice handles the gamut of sophisticated EU regulatory matters with an IT focus, from the drafting and negotiation of IT and cloud service agreements, to assisting with the implementation of e-commerce strategies. Patrick Van Eecke leads the team, and is instructed by an enviable roster of global household names and industry giants. Special counsel Enrique Gallego Capdevila is singled out for ‘his unmatched knack for simplifying the intricate‘.

The intellectual property and technology department at DLA Piper is best known for operating at the intersection of these areas, and fields highly regarded specialists with expertise in the interaction between the two. The team is regularly instructed to secure authorisations for global and country deployment of infrastructure, and assists with transaction approvals and related issues. The group also collaborates with the firm’s highly regarded public procurement experts to advise state-owned companies and suppliers on procurement and outsourcing projects. Managing partner Kristof De Vulder heads up the practice, ably supported by counsels Raf Schoefs and Nicolas Becker.

Valued by clients for its ‘exceptional in-depth expertise‘, boutique Timelex focuses almost exclusively on the technology, privacy, data protection and intellectual property spheres. The team regularly assists European, national and regional governmental bodies with the preparation of legislation, and is also instructed by technology companies of all sizes to advise on compliance issues. The group is also well versed in handling technology-related disputes. The firm fields a large bench of specialists, including ‘internationally renowned‘ senior practitioner Jos Dumortier, Hans Graux, Geert Somers, Edwin Jacobs, Frederic Debusseré and Ruben Roex.

Helmed by Elisabeth Dehareng, the IPTech group at Baker McKenzie CVBA/SCRL predominantly assists multinational companies with the procurement and provision of IT services, as well as advising on e-commerce, trust services, digitalisation and innovation issues. The practice also fields a strong bench of dedicated associates, including Raphaël Hendrickx and Caroline Serbanescu.

At Eubelius, Pieter Callens provides IP and IT expertise, while Anneleen Van De Meulebroucke brings extensive digital and data protection knowledge; between them, the duo oversee a broad range of work, including contract drafting and consumer protection advice. Dispute resolution in the technology space is another key source of instruction. Established national and global players form a core part of the client base, as do smaller start-ups and spin-offs.

The cross-departmental group at Jones Day is noted as being ‘unique for its in-depth knowledge of the sector, agile approach, and innovation‘. The team has a global and local technology and telecoms client base, which includes government agencies as well as key industry players. Bernard Amory and Alexandre Verheyden provide a competition and antitrust angle, while ‘excellent communicator‘ Jörg Hladjk focuses on the cybersecurity and data protection elements.

The TMT group at Linklaters is regularly called on to act for clients – primarily customers of IT service providers – on strategic projects. Assisting with outsourcing, software, hardware and platform agreements is a particular strength. Tanguy Van Overstraeten, who is identified as an ‘outstanding figure in the market‘, heads up the practice. Guillaume Couneson is another key contact, and is noted for his contractual expertise.

Lydian fields a dedicated ICT team of ‘high-quality professionals‘, who assist technology companies throughout the business lifecycle, advising developers, distributors and suppliers of hardware, software and IT services. The group is noted for its ‘pragmatic and fair‘ approach to contract negotiation. ‘Excellent communicator‘ Bastiaan Bruyndonckx heads up the practice. The arrival of Françoise Billen from CMS in October 2022 is indicative of the firm’s growing focus on the area.

Stibbe‘s TMT practice is well placed to advise on any national and European regulatory changes which may affect the digital, IT, data and telecoms sectors. Erik Valgaeren is the key senior contact; his regular workload spans such diverse projects as web services, outsourcings, cloud services, system integrations, software implementation issues, data management and privacy work, artificial intelligence matters and innovation partnerships. At senior associate level, Carolien Michielsen is noted.

Boutique firm AContrario.Law is highly regarded for its ‘strong expertise and capabilities‘ in the IP, IT and data protection spheres. Founding partner Magali Feys is singled out as ‘a true expert in her field‘; her practice focuses on the development and elaboration of IP and innovation strategies for technology companies throughout their growth cycle. Data privacy expert Tim Wulgaert and counsel Hannes Abraham round out the team.

Practitioners at Osborne Clarke are ‘able to think out of the box‘ when advising on the gamut of issues in the IT field. The team is often instructed to assist with the negotiation of IT contracts and software licences, outsourcing deals and cloud computing agreements, as well as exits from global outsourcing set-ups and transfers to new suppliers. Benjamin Docquir oversees the firm’s IT and IP department in Belgium, which also includes Laurens Dauwe.