Most Highly Regarded Firms: Internet, e-Commerce and Data Protection 2011

• October 2011

• Internet & e-Commerce

In this section we analyse the findings of our research in greater depth to identify the firms and practitioners who stand out worldwide.

This year we have selected 464 practitioners who are regarded as the best at what they do. Jurisdictions with established data protection policies and a thriving e-commerce industry are home to the largest number of firms, and firms with the largest number of inclusions in the research. Europe has a strong representation, largely due to the recent legal and technological changes that have taken place through the European Union.

LEADING EUROPEAN FIRMS

The leading firm is Bird & Bird LLP, which features 13 lawyers in the edition. With one exception its lawyers are based in Europe: this is a general trend shared by several of the top performing firms this year. Our most highly regarded list of individuals is dominated by European inclusions; a reflection of where the specialists are concentrated and how highly developed the legal and regulatory framework is in that region. The firm’s London office boasts three lawyers in the edition, including the joint head of the international privacy group, the “excellent” Ruth Boardman. She is an expert in security breaches and data transfer. Graham Smith received numerous votes from international peers for his software knowledge and “forward thinking approach”. They are joined by Hilary Pearson, an e-commerce and IP consultant with specialist knowledge in complex technologies.

In Helsinki, Kari-Matti Lehti and Pekka Takki are highly regarded and respected as senior lawyers in this field. Head of the German IT commercial and outsourcing group, and joint-head of the global IT and commercial group, Alexander Duisberg’s practice covers the full range of IT related work, including online commerce; cloud computing, data protection and security. Similarly, Fabian Niemann is lauded for his “quick understanding of technical issues” and contract knowledge in this area.

In Brussels, Catherine Erkelens specialises in e-commerce, electronic data interchange and data protection, with extensive experience working in aviation technology. In Paris, Frédérique Dupuis-Toubol is a “definite” inclusion, and Javier Fernández-Samaniego is the managing partner of the Madrid office and head of the commercial and dispute resolution/IT group. Head of the IT group in Sweden Jim Runsten received many votes for his considerable experience advising on e-commerce and regulation matters.

The firm also has a noteworthy presence in Asia. Marcus Vass is the head of the firm’s CMT group in Hong Kong/China and lobbies the government and industry on related matters. Also in China, Grace Chen is an established and well known IP practitioner with experience advising clients on data protection matters.

Field Fisher Waterhouse has seven inclusions based around Europe with its largest showing in London. Paul Barton is highly regarded as “knowledgeable and capable”; he is a “trusted and valued adviser”. Michael Chissick is head of the IT, outsourcing and e-commerce group at the firm and is well known for his regulatory expertise in internet law. David Naylor has an extensive scope of practice, including internet and e-commerce, software, consumer devices and electronics, technology and communications and IP related issues. Eduardo Ustaran has a far-reaching international reputation as head of the firm’s privacy and information law group and is a “respected” practitioner in this area. In mainland Europe, Emmanuel Roger France is a leading litigator in IT and data protection matters in Brussels, in Paris Bruno Ducoulombier advises and acts for multinational telecommunication, media and IT companies and in Hamburg Felix Wittern advises on regulation and data protection compliance.

London is home to several further outstanding practitioners, including Christopher Millard from Bristows and Richard Kemp from Kemp Little LLP. Millard is a privacy and information law specialist with over 20 years experience practising in this area. He is a consistent inclusion in the edition and this year earns a place as one of the most highly regarded individuals. The emphasis of Kemp‘s practice is information technology, specifically acting in software, e-commerce and internet matters for clients such as T-Mobile. He is one of the most highly regarded individuals in this year’s research.

Continuing the trend of a strong European presence, four lawyers from Hogan Lovells’ European offices are featured this year, with two from Hong Kong and DC. In Paris, David Taylor works on internet related IP, particularly domain names, brands and data protection. Based in the Munich office, Wolfgang Büchner and Stefan Schuppert are both well known and highly thought of. Former chairman of the German society of law and information technology, Büchner represents local broadcasters, SCM Microsystems and Salesforce.com. Schuppert advises on new media concerning intellectual property, contract law and data protection. In Rome, Marco Berliri is “very well regarded” as head of the commercial law and technology, media and communications group in Italy, and in DC Steven Hollman is a litigator in computer-related claims, internet and high-technology disputes. In Hong Kong, Gabriela Kennedy handles data protection and IP matters for clients such as Microsoft and Alibaba.com.

Kennedy Van der Laan is the leading law firm in the Netherlands this year. Managing partner of the firm, Joost Linnemann is “first class”. He is an experienced technology lawyer and former chairman of the Dutch association of IT lawyers. Co-founder of the firm, Alfred Meijboom is an established and specialised technologies lawyer and a prolific author. He is also one of the most highly regarded individuals in the research. Otto Volgenant is a media and e-commerce lawyer who comes highly recommended by interviewees. Reinoud Westerdijk is “very good”, as is Patrick Wit, who concentrates on regulatory developments and litigation in this area. Hester de Vries is a leading expert in Dutch data protection law and is well known for her public policy work on privacy and data technology.

Advokatfirmaet Thommessen AS is one of the foremost firms in Norway and increases its presence to six lawyers in this edition, one more than last year. Managing partner of the Oslo office, Kai Thøgersen is a corporate lawyer with a focus on the media, telecommunications technology industries. His team includes Halvor Mansåker and Haakon Opperud, who have extensive experience in e-commerce, technology contracts and data protection. Ingvild Næss is a media and marketing lawyer with a practice in data protection and related areas. Arne Ringnes combines his media and marketing knowledge with dispute resolution to provide “thorough, expert” advice to clients.

This year’s edition includes a number of Taylor Wessing’s leading internet and technology lawyers, including Axel Freiherr von dem Bussche: a specialist software, e-commerce and data protection lawyer. He advises public and private insurance companies, new media and online gambling companies on regulation. Alongside him is the “impressive” Jörg Wimmers and in Munich Christian Frank enjoys a practice advising software and technology companies on licencing, specialist contracts and competition related matters. In Frankfurt, Kai Westerwelle is highly regarded for his e-commerce and multimedia law work for domestic and foreign entities.

In Brussels, Steven De Schrijver of Lorenz received many votes from international peers for his recognised work in privacy, data protection, IT and new media. He heads the firm’s M&A, IT and new media departments and is our most highly regarded internet, e-commerce and data protection lawyer in this edition. Peter Bräutigam of Noerr LLP in Munich received a large number of nominations this year, earning him a place on the most highly regarded list of individuals. As does Ursula Widmer of Dr Widmer & Partners, Attorneys-At-Law in Berne, who has been repeatedly recognised for the quality of her practice and continues to make a strong, showing in the research.

In Copenhagen, Ole Horsfeldt is the vice-chair of Gorrissen Federspiel’s IP and technology practice group. He focuses on IT, software licensing and complex contracts and is among our most highly regarded individuals this year.

In Madrid, Enrique Batalla is a “senior statesman” and is “very experienced” in this area of law. He leads the law firm Batalla Abogados and enjoys an international reputation as one of the most highly regarded lawyers in internet and technology law.

GLOBAL

With a strong presence throughout the world, Baker & McKenzie LLP features 11 lawyers in this edition. In Chicago, Samuel Kramer focuses on technology licensing, contracts and transactions in new media. “Knowledgeable and adept” in the area of internet and e-commerce, Michael Mensik advises international clients on technology strategy and operations. In Sydney, Patrick Fair and Adrian Lawrence are both well known technology and telecommunications practitioners. Fair has a good reputation for his regulatory and contractual expertise and Lawrence acts for some of Australia’s leading online networks in IP disputes and software implementation projects. In Singapore, Ken Chia at Baker & McKenzie Wong & Leow unites his dispute resolution credentials with the internet and telecommunications experience he has amassed over 20 years in practice. In São Paulo at Trench Rossi e Watanabe Advogados, Esther Flesch is an established, experienced lawyer in this field. In Europe the firm is represented by the “reliable” Daniel Fesler in Brussels, the “outstanding” Mattias Scholz in Frankfurt and the joint head of the ITC/IP practice group in the firm’s Stockholm office Johan Nylén. The London office earns three nominations, including Harry Small, head of the firm’s global technology practice group and a “respected” expert in computer networking, software and communications law. 

Similarly DLA Piper earns names outside of Europe, namely in the US and UAE. Vincent Sanchez is the global co-chair of the technology, sourcing and commercial practice group. Based in Chicago he advises international entities on their online privacy and protection strategies and e-commerce activities. In Palo Alto, Mark Radcliffe is regarded as one of the top internet and protection lawyers and has acted for Sony and Siemens. James Nelson is a “leader” in Dallas, as the head of the Texas litigation group he concentrates primarily on complex litigation and competition within the telecommunications and health care industries. The firm has a presence in the Singapore research with Matthew Glynn, head of the IPT practice in Asia, The Middle East and Africa region and country managing partner of the firm’s Singapore office.

DLA Piper sees five lawyers from Europe selected: the co-chair of the firm’s international e-business practice group, Patrick van Eecke in Brussels, Italo de Feo in Rome, Stéphane Lemarchand head of the IP and technology group in Paris, the highly nominated Jan Geert Meents and in Munich the “IT specialist” Jan Pohle in Cologne.

The five-strong presence from McCarthy Tétrault LLP is spread across Canada. In Québec, Charles Morgan has an “impressive” e-commerce practice, advising corporations and entities on agreements, product launches, data breaches, among other areas. Cheryl Slusarchuk in British Columbia received many international votes, a testament to her renowned practice and co-leadership of the technology group in Canada. Former general counsel of a NASDAQ technology company she has applied her experience to representing clients such as Research In Motion, the makers of Blackberry. The Toronto office earns three lawyers including the co-leader of the technology group and an experienced computer, consumer protection and security lawyer Wendy Gross. Former head of the firm’s internet and e-commerce group, Barry Sookman is a “knowledgeable and experienced” litigator, having acted in large matters involving Apple Canada, Nintendo of America and Sega Enterprises. George Takach does a large amount of M&A/financing within the technology industry, and counts Aastra Technologies, Kobo and CPAS Systems as clients.

Another notable Canadian internet practitioner is John Beardwood from Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, a prominent Toronto lawyer in this area, well known for his roles as a co-chair of the national technology and IP practice group; co-chair of the national outsourcing group; and vice-chair of the privacy and information protection practice group. He is one of the most highly regarded individuals in this year’s edition. Also featuring from the firm is Ian Kyer, a “very good” internet and computing lawyer.

The research this year fields a particularly well considered internet lawyer from one of the emerging technology regions: Sajai Singh from J Sagar Associates in Bangalore. He is a transactional and regulatory lawyer with experience in drafting state privacy rules. He received numerous votes worldwide and is one of the most highly regarded individuals in this year’s edition.

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