Baker McKenzie closely cooperates with other locations and routinely advises global corporations and financial service providers and, in addition to the financial sector, focuses on other regulated industries such as pharmaceuticals, healthcare and automotive. Based on this focus, the team is well versed in supporting clients in technology-related matters, including autonomous driving, NFT sales on platforms, software solutions for the use of cryptocurrencies, the launch of digital products and cloud solutions. This is complemented by expertise in compliance and data protection, where co-head Michael Schmidl is a key contact. Schmidl jointly heads the practice with the IT and data protection law expert Michaela Nebel. Former co-head Holger Lutz (computer, media and internet law) joined Clifford Chance in June 2023. The capacities in transaction-related IT and IP matters were strengthened with the arrival of Patrick Wilkening in October 2022 (previously at Hengeler Mueller).

Bird & Bird regularly advises on cross-border matters across the entire IT spectrum and has particular expertise in cloud computing, connected cars, digital healthcare and IT security. The team is led by Fabian Niemann, who specialises in international technology and data protection projects, and Henriette Picot, whose extensive practice includes licensing, software development and cloud computing. Lennart Schüßler covers the areas of digital media, mobile and e-commerce as well as IT security.

CMS is among the leading IT law practices and comprehensively covers all relevant issues in the context of AI-based healthcare services and blockchain projects, as well as data law, cybersecurity, software IP and licensing. The latter two are a core focus of Malte Grützmacher, who is well versed in related contentious matters. E-commerce is another mainstay, where online retailers and service providers are supported in platform regulation and the launch of new features and products. Other sector focuses include finance and insurance as well as the automotive, energy and healthcare sectors. The team is led by Markus Häßer, whose longstanding technology law expertise also includes digital business models, IT transactions and outsourcing projects. Head of legaltech Frederik Leenen specialises in contract automation and AI and made partner in July 2022.

Noerr combines its competencies in the areas commerce, trade, IT, outsourcing and media and advises on various IT matters. Among the key topics are contract drafting and regulatory matters in the context of digitisation projects and digital business models. Co-head Torsten Kraul is an expert in new topics such as AI, data management, digital healthcare, fintech and e-sports. Kraul jointly leads the practice with Thomas Thalhofer, who supports IT digitisation projects, outsourcing as well as transactions and is experienced in litigation. Peter Braut boasts similar competencies and complements this with expertise in software licensing. Among the client roster are companies from the automotive, pharmaceutical and technology sectors as well as insurance and financial service providers. AI expert David Bomhard joined Aitava in April 2023.

Taylor Wessing routinely advises national and multinational companies from the finance, gaming, telecoms, automotive and e-health sectors as well as public sector clients, where Detleff Klett regularly leads in large-scale IT and infrastructure projects. The team focuses on matters pertaining to digital transformation, cyber security, cloud solutions and AI. Clients from the healthcare segment frequently instruct the practice on cloud solutions for hospitals and electronic patient records, while in the automotive sector OEMs and automotive suppliers are supported with digital transformation strategies (connectivity services, autonomous driving systems, e-mobility). Related data protection issues are covered by Axel Freiherr von dem Bussche. Mareike Gehrmann (digitisation, IT contract law, SaaS) and Malek Barudi (copyright and copyright contract law) were appointed to partners in April 2023. The practice is led by IT contract and security law expert Paul Voigt, who also cover ​​e-commerce matters.

Gleiss Lutz follows a full-service approach and is well versed in the advice on digitisation, outsourcing projects and transactions as well as matters pertaining to AI, quantum computing and cloud solutions. The team frequently supports digitisation projects in the public sector, such as the digitisation of government IT systems, while another focus is on projects in the healthcare sector were health insurance companies are advised on compliance; pharmaceutical companies benefit from the data protection expertise in connection with healthcare data access. Stefan Weidert (IT) heads the team, which also includes Alexander Molle, who is well versed in drafting IT contracts, transactions as well as e-commerce and IT matters.

Hogan Lovells International LLP acts from four German locations and regularly covers cross-border matters. The team is an experienced advisor to international corporations and start-ups on traditional IT law matters such as contract drafting and transaction support. Further mainstays include the support for technology companies, particularly from the life sciences, finance and automotive industries, as well as international companies in cloud services, software development, machine learning, open source software compliance and AI; Martin Pflueger is a key contact for this. The team is also instructed by clients from the finance and insurance industries on IT contract matters, where  Marcus Schreibauer and Sarah-Lena Kreutzmann regularly take the lead. Other key contacts include Christian Tinnefeld, who is experienced in IT and data protection law as well as litigation, while Stefan Schuppert advises on license agreements and IT project-related contracts.

SKW Schwarz comprehensively covers IT law and increasingly assists with cloud-based business models. A core competence is the advice to the healthcare sector, where hospital management companies are supported in digitisation as well as data protection matters. Another focus is the mobility industry, here, the team advises on autonomous driving and data protection compliance. Daniel Meßmer (software and cloud-based business models) has been the sole practice head since 2023, the former co-head Andreas Peschel-Mehner (platform business and cloud developments) remains a key contact. Franziska Ladiges (data protection) was appointed to partner in January 2023.

CSW Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater Wirtschaftsprüfer fields key contact Isabell Conrad, who advises on digitisation, IT law, data protection as well as IT security and also covers e-commerce, open source software and software copyright matters. Another core member is Jochen Schneider (IT contracts, especially software licenses, database law and data protection).

DLA Piper focuses on cyber security, transaction support and clients' representation in litigation. Most recently, the team, led by Stefan Engels, also assisted with various digitisation projects, which were frequently led by Jan Pohle. Jan Geert Meents is well versed in the areas of data analytics, digital transformation and IT compliance and also part of the core team.

GvW Graf von Westphalen regularly acts across the automotive, finance, insurance, healthcare and public sectors and advises companies, associations, NGOs as well as public sector clients. The advice focuses on IT contract drafting, IT compliance systems, public sector digitisation projects as well as app and software development; the expertise in related data protection issues and public procurement procedures complements this offering. Stephan Menzemer heads the practice and also acts as head of the firm's international desk. In December 2022, Thomas Schuster (support to the public sector in digitisation projects) joined Eichler Kern Klein Rechtsanwälte PartG mbB, while in January 2023 Gudrun Hausner (data protection, IT and competition law) was appointed to partner.

Heuking's IP, media & technology practice is well versed in IT project work and frequently acts across the healthcare, fintech and telecoms sectors; Markus Lennartz is experienced in the latter, while Dominik Eickemeier primarily supports clients from the banking sector in IT projects. The advice on cloud services – Marcel Maybaum is a key contact here – IT contract negotiations and the acquisition of new software are further key topics as well as clients' representation in litigation. Competencies in the areas of IT security, IT governance, data protection and trade secret protection round off this offering. In January 2023, Lutz Martin Keppeler (IT, data protection, internet law) was appointed to equity partner and Maybaum was appointed to salary partner.

Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH regularly assists with the development of digital business models, the use of new technologies, AI and autonomous driving and acts on behalf of start-ups, corporations and public sector clients, including educational institutions, companies and ministries. Wulff-Axel Schmidt (sourcing and IP matters; licensing and cooperation agreements; IT project agreements) heads the team, which also handles litigation.

Pinsent Masons Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater Solicitors Partnerschaft mbB primarily focuses on the automotive sector, practice head Stephan Appt frequently leads here, and advise on software-based products, e-mobility and digital marketing. Other clients stem from various industries as well as the public sector. In the healthcare segment, the team recently assisted with healthcare apps and the development of new IT products; other growth areas were data sharing platforms, app launches, e-commerce and IT contract drafting. The Munich location complements this with expertise in technology-related disputes.

Reed Smith LLP advises international corporations, medium-sized companies, start-ups and business incubators across the aviation, technology, pharmaceutical and finance sectors on digital services, apps, SaaS solutions, the introduction of new IT systems or digital platforms as well as AI and IoT operating systems, including related contractual and data protection aspects. Thomas Fischl and Andreas Splittgerber comprehensively cover the IT sector and jointly head the practice, which follows a cross-practice and cross-locational approach.

Led by Andreas Lober, the IP/IT/media team at ADVANT Beiten advises across practices and locations and covers the areas gaming, banking and finance, healthcare and AI (in particular generative AI tools). The first two areas are a focus of the Frankfurt-based team, while healthcare matters are handled by the Berlin location; this is complemented by the Freiburg-based team's expertise in technology-related contracts and R&D agreements. The partner roster was significantly strengthened with the promotion of data protection expert Susanne Klein in November 2022, the arrival of Birgit Münchbach (technology transactions) from Friedrich Graf von Westphalen & Partner in August 2022 as well as the additions of  Ariane Loof (employment law, employee data protection), who joined from KPMG Law in Germany in October 2022 and Peggy Müller from Klinkert Rechtsanwälte PartGmbB in January 2023. Müller focuses on IP issues.

Covington & Burling LLP focuses on cloud-based projects and advises on the procurement and implementation of SaaS solutions. The interface between IT and finance and particularly life sciences is another mainstay, where the team advises on digital healthcare matters in connection with regulatory and data protection law. Lars Lensdorf is a key contact for IT-related banking supervisory issues; he jointly leads the team with IoT expert Moritz Hüsch.

FPS comprehensively covers IT law and advises financial institutions, authorities, global corporations and start-ups on digital business models, the use of new technologies and the implementation of IT business procedures; the team also covers interfacing data protection matters. A growth area was cyber security, in particular the support in cyber attack incident management. The group is led by Hauke ​​Hansen (IT law, digitisation and data protection), Jörg Kornbrust (project management and contract drafting for IT projects) and Christoph Süßenberger (IT contract drafting, project support, software development, transactions).

GÖRG Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten mbB‘s expertise in SaaS solutions and managed services as well as the procurement, introduction and maintenance of new hardware and software solutions is regularly called upon by companies from the financial, electronics, telecoms and insurance sectors as well as hospitals and public institutions. This is complemented by experience in the e-commerce segment, including the support for the launch of digital platforms and services. Florian Schmitz regularly leads here, he is a key contact of the IP, IT & commercial team led by Oliver Spieker.

Greenberg Traurig Germany is experienced in IT and digitisations projects as well as matters in the regulatory area such as the advice on e-commerce issues or the support for US companies in EU-related issues. IT service providers and technology companies are also represented in litigation. Further capacities exist at the interfaces with technology, media, data protection and telecommunications law thanks to the cross-border and cross-practice approach. Practice head Viola Bensinger is a key contact for outsourcing projects and transactions in the technology sector.

Heussen Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH primarily focuses on cloud services, AI, big data, and the industrial Internet of Things, including related compliance issues. This expertise is regularly called upon by medium-sized companies, international corporations and start-ups from the mechanical engineering, medtech, fintech and automotive sectors. Hermann Waldhauser (IT, IP and media law) heads the group.

McDermott Will & Emery Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater LLP's comprehensive IT law expertise is frequently requested by both medium-sized companies and large corporations, which the team advises on the development and implementation of new business models, the design and internationalisation of digital platforms, SaaS contracts, licensing agreements, outsourcing and related data protection issues. Practice head Wolfgang von Frentz regularly leads in arbitration proceedings and litigation before German courts.

Oppenhoff's IT&C practice is experienced in advising insurance companies on digitisation projects as well as the outsourcing of insurance activities and data-driven business models thanks to the close cooperation with the insurance law team. Recent growth areas include the advice on IT contracts, regulatory issues pertaining to the operation of websites and software projects, including related procurement law and data protection issues, as well as disputes. The practice is led by Marc Hilber (technology-related transactions) and Jürgen Hartung (data protection and IT law).

TCI Rechtsanwälte acts from three locations and supports public sector clients in digitisation projects and procurement procedures as well as in the digitisation of business and corporate processes. Other key topics include mobile and cloud computing, license audits and license agreements as well as dispute resolution. The practice is jointly headed by Carsten Gerlach, Stephan Schmidt and Thomas Stogmuller.

von BOETTICHER Rechtsanwälte Partnerschaftsgesellschaft mbB advises numerous large international corporations, including German subsidiaries, on IT law issues relating to social media (Angelika Hoche), software projects and licenses (Anselm Brandi-Dohrn), digital platforms and marketplaces (Sven Schlotzhauer) as well as IT-related transactions (Jens Horstkotte).

White & Case LLP's expertise is based on cross-practice support, where the team frequently cooperates with the M&A and private equity specialists on IT and data protection matters in transactions and reorganisations. The team also acts in the financial sector and advises on digitisation issues pertaining to digital assets. Clients benefit from the support in cloud-based systems, the transition of corporate software to the cloud, the creation of payment platforms and the outsourcing of IT and data management from public sector clients to private companies. Jost Kotthoff (sourcing, outsourcing and technology transactions) leads the practice.

avocado rechtsanwälte comprehensively covers IT and data protection issues, including cloud-based digitisation projects, e-commerce and the use of blockchain-based IT products. The team is led by Jan Peter Voß (IT contract drafting and litigation). In March 2023, Philipp Ess (e-commerce, IP/IT asset transfers) joined from Klinkert Rechtsanwälte PartGmbB.

Deloitte Legal Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH‘s digital law practice has been led by Till Contzen (IT law and digitisation), since former practice head Tobias Fuchs (digital transformation, technology transfer, joint ventures, compliance) moved to WTS in April 2023. The team recently advised on projects in the healthcare and automotive sectors as well as digital business transformations and technology transfers in the payment services sector. Other capacaities include the support in IT infrastructure and IT security matters as well as software contracts. In May 2023, Klaus Brisch and Marco Müller-ter Jung (both IT, IP, data protection, digital innovation) joined Grant Thornton; the following month, Linda Krüpe (data protection, compliance) and Nikola Werry (data protection and data law) were appointed to salary partners.

Friedrich Graf von Westphalen & Partner fields IT healthcare expert Werner Bachmann and regularly advises across the healthcare sector. Frank Jungfleisch frequently covers matters at the interface between IT and M&A, while Lukas Kalkbrenner handles related data protection and e-commerce matters. The client portfolio includes start-ups, corporations, software manufacturers and pharmacies.

Kümmerlein's client base includes companies, hospital management companies and an airport, which the practice supports in traditional IT projects, outsourcing and the defence against GDPR damages claims. Growth areas include the advice on AI-based apps and platforms, including transactions for AI companies, where the team regularly cooperates with the M&A experts. The practice is jointly led by Kay Diedrich (IT and IP) and Jens Nebel (data protection and IT law).

Latham & Watkins LLP's IT competencies include the support in transactions and outsourcing projects as well as regulatory and data protection issues. In the latter area, a recent focus was on litigation, where Tim Wybitul's team assisted with numerous GDPR fine proceedings before the authorities and the ECJ.

Berlin-based Lindenpartners is well-known for its advice to start-ups and assists with the development of new data-based products and business models, including ​​automated data analysis, whereas clients from the regulated industries benefit from the expertise in interfacing fintech matters. The support in digitisation projects is regularly requested by public sector clients, this is complemented by experience in IT security. The team is led by Brigitta Varadinek (IP), Moritz Indenhuck (IT, data protection, media law; also trained software developer) and Jan Schmidt-Seidl (banking and data protection law).