Most Highly Regarded Firms: Internet e-Commerce & Data Protection 2010

• November 2010

• Internet & e-Commerce

Our research into this practice area has deepened with each successive edition and this book includes 479 high-calibre practitioners. We have broadened the parameters of our research to include data protection and IT specialists as well as lawyers who focus on internet and e-commerce (and those whose practice comprises several or all of these areas).

International & Full-Service Firms

The advice that these individuals provide allows their clients to properly implement new technologies, make use of and protect their data and navigate the international and often uncharted waters of these practice areas. Here, we highlight the best among them.

A number of firms gained an impressive number of inclusions in this practice area and these lawyers use their expertise and experience to complement the array of legal support and services given by other areas of the firm.

Bird & Bird, the winner of our internet and e-commerce law firm of the year award, earns 13 listings across nine jurisdictions in Europe and Asia, making it the firm with the highest number of inclusions in the book. Graham Smith is listed in London where he focuses on internet and IT disputes and advisory work and is “a reliable adviser in times of crisis”. Consultant Hilary Pearson is “a font of knowledge on IT issues” and her years of working in Silicon Valley mean that she is sought out by US clients in particular. Ruth Boardman is the joint head of the international data security and privacy group and is recognised as “user-friendly with a profound knowledge of data regulation”. In Paris, Stéphane Lemarchand is joint-leader of the international IT sector group and “has an excellent reputation” for his work in advising on IT companies in contentious and outsourcing matters. Pekka Takki, who also deals with data protection and privacy issues, is listed in Helsinki and is “great to deal with”.

Eleven of Baker & McKenzie’s practitioners are included in this edition, with seven jurisdictions represented. Harry Small is one of three lawyers listed in London and he is “a well-known IT and outsourcing expert” who has acted for clients from a broad range of sectors on disputes in these areas. Robbie Downing specialises in privacy and e-commerce IT issues and of counsel Ian Walden also merits an inclusion. Michael Mensik in Chicago is “a prominent figure in IT and e-commerce law” and Johan Nylén is highly nominated for his work on large and complex technology, outsourcing and system procurement projects. In Sydney, Patrick Fair provides IT and regulatory due diligence advice.

DLA Piper LLP earns ten inclusions. Patrick van Eecke is the global co-chair of the e-business practice group and is based in Brussels. He has “an excellent reputation in IT” and has advised companies as diverse as Phillip Morris and AOL, and institutions including the European Commission and UNCITRAL. Marc Radcliffe in Palo Alto was called “one of the best” by one commenter and is an expert on internet and software licensing. Jan Geert Meents in Munich is “erudite and switched on” and focuses on technology transactions, including outsourcing transactions. In London, Mark O’Conor advises local and central government as well as financial services providers.

A ten-strong contingent is also included from Hogan Lovells. Stefan Schuppert is “highly regarded” and focuses on data protection, IT and new media advisory work. Wolfgang Büchner, a second Munich listing from this firm, is “a real specialist” in IT law according to our sources. In Paris, David Taylor is “well-known” for his work in domain name and data protection, while in London, Conor Ward practises in contentious and non-contentious computer-related work, with past experience in outsourcing, systems development and integration. Steven Hollman in Washington, DC is “a star” when it comes to computer and complex technology disputes.

America & Europe

Alan Sutin in New York is the chair of Greenberg Traurig LLP’s global IP and technology practice and is one of five lawyers from that firm listed here. Peers identified him as “pragmatic and well-informed.” Ian Ballon, based in Los Angeles and Palo Alto, has “an excellent reputation” and has represented clients such as MySpace, ebay and Hewlett Packard. At Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP in Toronto, John Beardwood is the most nominated individual in Canada and co-chair of the national technology and IP and outsourcing group and vice-chair of the information protection group. One commenter said that “he should be at the top of anybody’s list for outsourcing and transactions” while of counsel Ian Kyer, also in Toronto, is “extremely experienced.” SNR Denton US LLP has three featured practitioners. Counsel Richard Allan Horning, in Silicon Valley, is “a renowned practitioner” who advises technology clients at all stages of development. In New York, Marc Friedman has 30 years experience of advising on technology disputes and e-commerce matters. Fenwick & West LLP also has three nominations, all of whom are based in California. Stuart Meyer is “one of the premier tech lawyers in the US” according to peers and has represented clients such as Symantec, Palm, Apple and Google. The “phenomenal” David Hayes often works on high-profile technology transactions and can count Logitech, Amazon and BitTorrent on his client roster.

Seven Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP lawyers are listed in the following pages. Eduardo Ustaran, head of the privacy and information law group, is one of four lawyers in London. The “well-respected” Michael Chissick practises in outsourcing, procurement and e-commerce and Bruno Ducoulombier in Paris is “truly outstanding” when it comes to IT and media advice and litigation. Taylor Wessing LLP also earns six inclusions, with a particularly strong German presence. Christian Frank is “one of the best in Germany” when it comes to IT transactions and joint ventures and is based in Munich. Jan Pohle in Dusseldorf is “a trusted advisor” for IT and media companies and Jörg Wimmers in Hamburg “knows the regulatory ins and outs” regarding technology transactions. In Frankfurt, Kai Westerwelle is “the one I can turn to with questions on IT issues across the board,” according to one source.

Dutch firm Kennedy Van der Laan fields an impressive six lawyers in this edition, including Alfred Meijboom, the most highly nominated practitioner in the Netherlands. Reinout Westerdijk is a “go-to guy for international IT contracts” and managing partner Joost Linneman, the former chair of the Dutch association of IT lawyers, is “smart and easy to deal with.” Two lawyers from Bristows are listed, including of counsel Christopher Millard, who is “one of the best in London” for all privacy, outsourcing and data protection. Joint managing partner Mark Watts is “learned and commercially-minded” and focuses on online business platforms, data transfer and protection and compliance issues. Robert Bond at Speechly Bircham LLP in London has “outstanding technical expertise” in technology and data protection and focuses especially on sectors such as online media and computer games. Alexander Carter-Silk at the same firm was consistently recommended.

Matheson Ormsby Prentice has three inclusions, including Don McAleese who leads the nominations in Ireland and is head of the firm’s IT law group. He “has a really high profile” and advises multinational IT, software and hardware companies and financial institutions on the establishment of their online platforms and he led the team that helped draft the 2000 Act on e-commerce for the Irish Department of Public Enterprise. Ursula Widmer is one of the most highly-nominated practitioners in our research and features from her firm Dr Widmer & Partners, Attorneys-At-Law. Interviewees called her “a doyenne on all privacy issues” and “an authority on cloud computing”. She is also the past president of the International Technology Law Association. Enrique Batalla, at Batalla Abogados in Madrid, is the most highly-nominated lawyer in Spain and is “head and shoulders above the competition” in the words of one source. He practises in all aspects of technology, software and e-commerce law. Steven De Shrijver is at the front of the Belgian research and heads Lorenz’s M&A team as well as its IT and new media practice. He is “an extremely competent IT specialist” according to one source and is “unsurpassed in privacy issues” in the words of another. Oliver Habel leads a three-man contingent of teclegal Habel Rechtsanwälte Partnerschaft lawyers from Munich. Habel is a “practical and highly qualified” IT, technology and e-commerce specialist.

London boutique firm Kemp Little LLP merits three inclusions. The firm has an impressive client roster that includes Salesforce.com, Microsoft, Expedia, T-Mobile and Lovefilm. Senior partner Richard Kemp is “a shrewd adviser with a keen understanding of IT and technology law.” Calum Murray, head of the commercial technology department of the firm, is also listed, as is Paul Garland, head of litigation, and both were highly recommended by peers.

Asia & Australia

Sajai Singh in Bangalore comes top of the research in India, and is among the most highly nominated in the world. He leads the technology, media and telecommunications practice of his firm, J Sagar Associates, and specialises on foreign investment into India by internet, e-commerce and high-technology companies.

Stephen Mathias, the partner in charge of Kochhar & Co’s Bangalore office, is also co-head of that firm’s technology practice. He is “very prominent” for his work in outsourcing and technology-related M&A work.

Rahul Matthan at Trilegal in Bangalore, is “a leading IT lawyer” who advises online retailers, mobile operators and online media.

In Riyadh, Christopher Rees is currently on secondment to Al-Ghazzawi Professional Association from Herbert Smith. He has over 30 years’ experience of technology-focused commercial law.

Peter Leonard leads the research in Australia. With over 30 years at Gilbert + Tobin, he is “a top-flight practitioner” in technology and communications-related transactions, service agreements, outsourcing and regulatory matters.

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