Covering complex disputes, regulatory issues, strategic M&A and commercial contracts, Baker McKenzie retains its powerful position, advising some of the largest names in social media, technology and AI. The team also remains at the forefront of trends in the market, working with major social media platforms on responses to government investigations concerning the use of generative AI. Ben Allgrove notably advises on digital media and intermediary platforms. Steve Holmes has significant experience in major life sciences, technology, outsourcing, telecommunications and digital transactions. Kate Alexander is an expert in cross-border tax structuring, while Will Holder focuses on M&A, leveraged buyouts, joint ventures, and private equity transactions within the TMT sector. Kim Sartin boasts HR and employment capabilities, while John Groom advises on copyright and digital regulation, including in high-stakes disputes. Sue McLean advises on cloud, outsourcing, digital transformation and development and licensing, and has a significant strength in AI issues.

Bird & Bird LLP‘s TMT offering is trifurcated into a tech transactions group, a media, entertainment and sport group, and a tech and communications group, advising clients on all manner of transactional, regulatory, and contentious matters, including copyright infringement litigation before the High Court. Each group has its own partner who leads the overall offering at the firm. Ronald Hendrikx specialises in communication projects across the public and private sector, with a particular flair for invention and development of client products. Mark Leach specialises in large-scale technology and business process outsourcing. Andrew Danson focuses on gambling and sports, and coordinates multijurisdictional regulatory advice. Phil Sherrell is a go-to name for litigation matters with a track record in high-profile disputes, while Kimberly Wells advises on complex, strategic technology and communications projects.

Described by one client as ‘market leading’, Bristows LLP is a strong choice for an array of clients, including some of the largest phone and technology manufacturers, social media platforms, and film production companies. The firm has a strong footing in the market, advising on the full gamut of issues including competition issues, regulatory advice, compliance, data issues, and data privacy. The team is spearheaded by data protection heavyweight Mark Watts, who has a wealth of experience defending companies in regulatory enforcement actions both in respect of data breaches and data misuse cases.  Toby Crick is also a key name at the practice, advising on telecoms and technology litigation. Stephen Smith's broad practice encompasses transactional matters and contentious competition law. Hannah Crowther advises on data issues spanning AI, adtech, accountability, data transfers, data subjects rights and direct marketing. Anna Cook is also recommended for her disputes expertise advising on confidentiality, licensing and copyright disputes but also issues arising from commercial contracts, software and large-scale technology projects.

The multidisciplinary team at Clifford Chance LLP leverages its strength in M&A in services of a diverse roster of clients, from multinational mobile network operators to blue-chip software companies. The firm's broad offering spans regulatory investigations, acquisitions, antitrust, service agreements, digital infrastructure, IP, copyright, and data work. Described by one client as ‘extremely well prepared‘, the practice is co-led by the ‘incredible‘ tech M&A heavyweight Jennifer Chimanga. Noted for her ‘record of success’, Chimanga advises on a large M&A within the sector, in addition to co-heading the firm’s East Africa practice. Fellow co-head André Duminy advises on commercial transactions, M&A, carve-outs and separation projects concerning complex technology projects and outsourcing arrangements. Other key figures include Jonathan Kewley, who co-heads the dedicated, cross-practice tech group at the firm, and Nelson Jung, who advises on competition issues.

Regarded as a team with ‘strength and depth’, CMS advises its clients on the full gamut of transactional, commercial, and disputes issues. Beyond these key strengths, the group also frequently advises lenders on financing large projects within the sector. Recent standout engagements have seen the team working with a major tech multinational on its defense of a potentially lucrative damages claim concerning private international and competition litigation licensing laws. The wider TMT team is headed by Clive Gringras, who routinely advises on both cross-border transactions and litigation. Matthew Bennett is also a key name to note for outsourcing, offshoring and shared services, as well as procurement, logistics, and commercial contracts. Sam De Silva is noted for his expertise in cloud computing, outsourcing, and software licensing. Rebekah Hayes is also a key name to note.

Enjoying a reputation for going ‘above and beyond’ for its clients, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP draws on the capabilities of its competition, IP, pensions, and disputes teams, advising some of the biggest names in the sector on disputes, competition issues, regulatory investigations, contract negotiations, and transactions, among other matters. The team is co-headed by dual-qualified (UK and Belgium) Veronica Roberts, who leads on competition, regulation and trade issues helping clients on regulatory issues and has secured merger clearances for acquisitions and joint ventures in the UK, EU and worldwide. Sydney-based Kwok Tang advises on cloud services contracts, outsourcings and procurements, telecommunication agreements, media agreements, joint ventures and alliance arrangements. Fellow co-head Nick Pantlin advises public and private multi-jurisdictional clients, on data, IT and technology procurement matters. Hayley Brady advises media and digital companies on licensing, sponsorship, advertising and product expansion.

The team at Latham & Watkins has a strong footing in the industry, advising its clients regularly on regulatory investigations, agreement and contract negotiation, strategic advice, M&A and refinancing. Gail Crawford co-heads the team and is an expert in data privacy and advises her clients on compliance programs, product counseling, responding to data breaches and regulatory inquiries, advising on organisational structures, commercial joint ventures, and M&A transactions. Fiona Maclean is a key name on the team, advising clients on data privacy compliance and IT and business processing transactions, with a particular focus on cloud computing and data strategy. Andrew Moyle has now retired.

The digital economy transactions team at Ashurst advises an impressive roster of blue-chip clients on a range of domestic and cross-border work, encompassing M&A, product rollout, and financing deals. Nick Elverston co-heads the team and advises on the roll-out of new services, network shares, joint ventures, acquisitions and disposals, as well as providing the sector input on financings and disputes. Amanda Ludlow also co-heads the team and leads on all aspects of data regulation, including data protection and privacy, and cross-jurisdictional data breach notifications.

Consistently described as ‘excellent‘ by clients, the team at DLA Piper advises a wide array of clients - from insurance companies to car manufacturers - on all manner of contentious and non-contentious matters. The team is led by London-based trio Mark O’Conor, Nicholas Fitzpatrick, and Mike Conradi. O’Conor also chairs the firm’s AI group, and regularly advises clients on cloud and digital transformation, and public procurement and outsourcing, while Fitzpatrick has a flair for sports, media and entertainment with regards to negotiating and structuring complex arrangements. Conradi co-chairs the firm’s international telecoms practice, providing regulatory and commercial support to sovereign states, regulators and businesses. Other key figures include Kit Burden, who advises on outsourcing and other technology transactions for both users and suppliers of IT.

The innovation department at Mishcon de Reya LLP  integrates partners from its corporate, IP, finance, tax, employment, immigration and regulatory practices, who work alongside data protection, cyber security and data science experts to advise a diverse roster of clients. The team is led by IP litigation expert Jeremy Hertzog, whose typical remit includes IP protection and enforcement, trade marks, patents, and licence disputes; he is also experienced in multijurisdictional litigation. Lewis Cohen specialises in transactional IP, while Adam Rose heads the team’s data group, advising on data protection, data security and freedom of information law.

The cross-disciplinary technology team at Norton Rose Fulbright advises on the full gamut of issues, encompassing the rollout of disruptive technology, AI, digital infrastructure, gaming products and space and satellite technology. The team is co-headed by global fintech head Sean Murphy and Oliver Stacey. Murphy regularly advises on the deployment of financial services technology, in addition to public and private M&A, joint ventures, PE buy-outs and venture capital and growth equity investments. Stacey advises on corporate issues within the communications, tech and media space, specifically public and private M&A, joint ventures and commercial agreements. A key contact for a range of banks, Islamic financial institutions, software providers, asset managers and platform trading operators, James Russell leads the commercial and outsourcing team, specialising in outsourcing, information technology and IP law.

Regarded as a ‘fantastic group of individuals’, the technology and digital markets team at Pinsent Masons LLP regularly advises on issues including data privacy, IP, technology-related disputes, regulatory compliance, and policy drafting. The group's expertise extends to advising on niche issues such as the Right To Be Forgotten for private individuals; a testament to the their focus in the area. The team is led by Andrew McMillan, whose focus ranges from data sharing issues to corporate transactions. Other key figures include Jonathan Kirsop, who heads up the TMT and data privacy teams. Kirsop is a key port of call for various banks, asset managers, hedge funds - particularly for his data expertise.

Praised by clients for its ‘practical approach’, RPC works with a number of high-profile clients, including global electronics companies, multinational technology conglomerates and the largest social media applications in the world. The team regularly advises on regulatory compliance, technology outsourcing, financing, M&A, and litigation, including defence-side engagements for tech multinationals in the Competition Appeal Tribunal. The team is led by Jeremy Drew, who advises on both contentious and non-contentious matters for tech clients. Oliver Bray is a ‘trusted adviser’ on regulatory investigations, digital and commercial contracts, data protection, intellectual property and content issues. Other key figures include Caroline Tuck, a specialist in outsourcing litigation, and David Cran, a technology disputes specialist who handles both litigation and arbitration proceedings.

Bolstered by a recent onset of new hires, the team at Simmons & Simmons advises a range of clients, including multinational payment platforms, technology developers and retailers, phone manufacturers, online holiday retailers, and telecom conglomerates. The team's wide-ranging expertise covers M&A, financing deals, regulation, competition issues, IP and disputes. Practice head Alexander Brown is noted for his expertise in data privacy, in addition to outsourcing and commercial IT contracts for users and suppliers of IT products and services. George Morris is recommended for his focus on disruptive technologies, primarily in the fields of cryptoassets and blockchain.

 

Taylor Wessing LLP‘s wide-ranging TMT offering covers IP enforcement, financing, and M&A, among other matters. Practice co-head Graham Hann – who also leads in the UK Games and eGaming group – focuses on commercial, IT and data issues. Mike Washbrook, who heads the patents and innovation group, specialises in tech and telecoms patent litigation. Sian Skelton is a technology and privacy law specialist who works with a host of North American startups breaking into European and UK markets. Adam Rendle heads the firm’s media and entertainment content and advertising practices, specialising in copyright, advertising, medi and publishing, and platform liability work. Josef Fuss is a venture capital expert advising a mix of investors, companies, entrepreneurs and management teams, while Mark Owen advises on IP strategy, use and protection.

The team at Addleshaw Goddard regularly advises key players operating in the financial services, retail and consumer, energy, health, pharmaceutical and public sectors on a range of matters, including transformational IT projects, disputes, ESG issues, and contractual matters. The team is chaired by Damon Rosamond-Lanzetta who advises on IT and outsourcing transactions in the financial services, transport and retail and consumer sectors. David Berry is also a key name to note, particularly for telecoms work.

The TMT law offering at Brabners LLP draws on the expertise of multiple offices across England to advise its clients on an impressive range of matters, spanning litigation, property-related TMT issues, commercial TMT issues, IP, healthtech, and sports-related TMT issues, advising many of the major football clubs across the UK. The multi-city offering is headed by Liverpool-based Colin Bell, who advises on IP strategies, commercial contracts, licensing arrangements, franchising, data protection, promotion and advertising issues, and e-commerce matters.

The technology team at Covington & Burling LLP leverages its regulatory expertise to advise its clients on a range of commercial and litigation matters, encompassing complex commercial agreement negotiations, data and technology advisory projects as well as litigation, tech regulation as well as content, software and hardware projects. The team is spearheaded by London-based duo Daniel Pavin and Lisa Peets; Pavin advises companies on IP rights as well as on life sciences and technology clients’ commercial transactions but is also an upcoming name in the digital health space. Peets leads on technology regulation and policy, advising on emerging and established EU and UK regulatory frameworks.

A key choice for major IT companies, social media platforms, and technology conglomerates, the multidisciplinary team at Dentons boasts a wide-ranging offering, spanning commercial contracts, M&A, IP, cybersecurity, and disputes, among other areas of focus. The team is particualrly noted for its regulatory compliance capabilities, as well as data privacy, data protection, and crisis management. The management of the team is based between Dubai and London. Jennifer Cass is an IP and media specialist; Antonis Patrikios leads the firm’s global technology, media and telecommunications group as well as the global privacy and cybersecurity group; and the Dubai-based Henrietta Baker advises on technology and telecoms transactions, strategic sourcing and commercial contracts. Other key figures include Andy Lucas, highly experienced in commercial technology matters, and Sarah Lima, noted for her outsourcing expertise.

Turned to by numerous leading clients, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher‘s cross-practice offering handles a diverse range of high-value, frequently cross-border mandates, spanning corporate transactions, commercial agreements, regulatory reviews, and disputes. Key figures include Joel Harrison, noted for his expertise in tech contracts; Alison Beal, a specialist in cross-border outsourcing; and Robert Spano , who co-chairs the firm’s AI practice group, handling both regulatory and contentious work. Nick Tomlinson is recommended for his transactional pedigree.

Paul Hastings LLP continues to attract a number of new clients, including some of the world’s largest social media platforms, payment platforms, and stock exchanges. The team regularly advises on financing and investment deals, multijurisdictional litigation, product development, and the full range of IP issues, including enforcement. Described by one client as ‘a true star’, the team is co-headed by Jason Raeburn, whose advice runs the full gamut of technology and IP issues including, AI-related work. Anu Balasubramanian, who co-heads the team, is noted for her expertise in private equity, advising on some of the largest tech-related M&A deals.

Described by one client as ‘incredibly effective‘, Shoosmiths LLP‘s focus spans artificial intelligence, blockchain and digital assets, wireless communication technology, and fintech, among other matters. The team is chaired by Joe Stephenson, who is noted for his expertise in procurement, with a particular focus on complex IT transformational projects and outsourcings. Both praised for their ‘experience and knowledge‘, Alex Kirkhope and Craig Armstrong are also key names on the team for outsourcing and IT-related work.

The multidisciplinary team at Squire Patton Boggs provides comprehensive support to media, technology and telecoms clients. Leadership duties are divided between Andrew Wilkinson , Francesco Liberatore and David Naylor. Wilkinson is an IP expert who advises on licensing and cloud arrangements as well as complex, multi-site, multijurisdictional system design, build, implementation, maintenance and outsourcing arrangements. Liberatore is a dual-qualified (UK and Italy) communications lawyer well versed in both communications and competition law matters for both traditional and digital communications. Naylor specialises in working with innovative and disruptive businesses.

Bates Wells‘ broad coverage encompasses HR issues, sponsor licence management, compliance, and contractual disputes within the sector. Recent standout engagements have seen the team advising on litigation investigating the discriminatory impact of AI for those who work across several well-known delivery apps. The team is headed by Richard Marke, a commercial contract expert who advises on long-term partnership and supply chain arrangements.

The team at Brown Rudnick LLP handles a diverse workload, covering licensing, contracts, outsourcing of technology systems, co-ventures and joint ventures, cloud based systems and software, digital commerce, investments and exits. Practice head Neil Foster advises on a host of corporate and commercial mandates, encompassing venture capital, private equity, and corporate finance. Tim Davison is noted for his expertise in cross-border commercial work.

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP regularly advises its clients on AI, outsourcing, regulatory compliance and agreements. Commercial head Simon Gamlin's focus encompasses technology deals, including system development transactions, ERP projects, system integrator matters, software licensing arrangements, and e-commerce projects. Craig Rogers  and Simon Lightman are noted for their expertise in IT and outsourcing arrangements.

Mayer Brown International LLP advises a diverse range of clients across the technology, media, broadcasting and telecoms sectors. Leadership duties are divided between Mark Prinsley, Miles Robinson, and Richard Page. Prinsley advises on business critical technology whilst Robinson handles substantial contractual and commercial disputes. Page advises on public and private M&A private equity and joint ventures work. Robert Hamill  and Harriet Hainsworth are also recommended.

Known for its outsourcing strength, the team at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP regularly advises on tech-related transactional work. The team is led by London-based duo Steven Farmer and Lee Rubin. Farmer also leads the global sourcing and technology transactions team but regularly advises on M&A and investment transactions. Rubin comparatively advises on large-scale, strategic outsourcing transactions, software licenses, and other complex technology transactions.