The Legal 500

CMS Hasche Sigle’s high-profile practice produces ‘exemplary service levels’ and acts for top-end clients. It has seen an increase in cloud computing and data protection matters, notably with major instructions coming from European Market Coupling Company (EMCC) receiving advice on a cloud solution for market coupling with Deutsche Börse Systems, and from Carlyle regarding the acquisition of specialist mail order firms. Siemens Enterprise Communications and Logica are also clients. Sebastian Cording ‘guides clients through complex matters clearly’, and ‘excellent litigator’ Malte Grützmacher is ‘one of the best’.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is excellent for transactional matters, particularly in the finance services sector, as well as on outsourcing, data protection and compliance. It advised Eurogate on outsourcing its IT operations; KfW on procurement of application and IT services; and SEB on IT and business process outsourcing contracts, data migration and data protection. Norbert Nolte is ‘innovative’ and always remains ‘very calm and composed’. Klaus Beucher leads the IP/IT practice group.

Noerr’s market-leading group has large resources but puts together ‘very small teams, providing good value for money’, and gives ‘very concise, to-the-point advice’. E-commerce and data protection are notable growth areas, and the team is particularly good for media-related matters, reflecting the wider firm’s strengths. Notable instructions included advising CBR Fashion Holding on creating an online webshop and BRUNATA on contract and data protection law, both of which are new clients. Peter Bräutigam, who ‘provides in-depth advice on very short notice’, and Joachim Schrey are especially recommended.

Baker & McKenzie’s broad practice covers all areas of IT, including data protection and outsourcing, and it typically advises on high-end matters, often with an international element. It advised Hewlett-Packard on a €3bn outsourcing deal with E.ON and acted for a DAX 30 corporation regarding the evaluation of global data privacy risks. Christoph Rittweger is ‘very client-friendly and pragmatic’, and Matthias Scholz is recommended for his ‘outstanding knowledge and quality of advice’.

IT boutique SSW Schneider Schiffer Weihermüller features the ‘absolutely outstanding’ name partner Jochen Schneider, who is part of a specialised team that competes readily with the top players. Compliance and data protection are two areas of focus, and the team also recently advised an international IT services provider on procurement matters; a corporation on outsourcing its web shop; and a bank on IT contracts. Isabell Conrad is also recommended.

Providing ‘outstanding legal service’, Taylor Wessing’s broad practice is especially familiar with advising on cloud computing and media related matters. It advised TSYS on extensive outsourcing projects for various banks; Microsoft comprehensively on data protection issues; and Chinese bank ICBC on its entry into the online banking market. Axel von dem Bussche is ‘solutions-oriented’, Detlef Klett has ‘great project management skills’, and Carsten Schulz ‘stays cool in negotiations’.

Bird & Bird has ‘excellent business acumen and industry knowledge’ as well as ‘excellent’ depth, and also leverages the firm’s first-rate IP expertise. Litigation and e-commerce have been growing areas for the practice, which recently advised Merck variously on outsourcings, IT projects and software agreements, and represented Kaspersky in IT litigation. Fabian Niemann gives ‘practical advice’, and Alexander Duisberg is also highly regarded.

Clifford Chance has a significant IT transactional practice, and is particularly good for outsourcing. The team advised QVC on TV and internet IT matters, amazon.com on its acquisition of an online platform, and WestLB on contractual matters. Florian Schmitz is the key contact.

DLA Piper enjoyed a busy year of growth, and played a prominent role in numerous cloud computing and outsourcing matters. Furthermore, clients especially appreciate the group’s ‘fantastic data protection expertise’. The team advised Preo Software on the distribution of used software and regarding certain litigation matters; a supplier of software security solutions on distribution matters; and Xing on a new online platform. Jan Pohle and Jan Geert Meents are highly regarded.

Heymann & Partner Rechtsanwälte’s ‘strong practice’ is a major player in the outsourcing sector, and recently advised on E.ON’s large-scale IT outsourcing project. SEB and Commerzbank are also significant clients. The ‘highly professional’ Thomas Heymann ‘knows his stuff’, and Katharina Scheja and Lars Lensdorf are also well regarded.

Hogan Lovells International LLP makes use of its international network wherever relevant. The team advised a large provider of youth, social and educational support activities on IT outsourcing, and acted for Siemens Enterprises Communications on cloud computing matters. The loss of Wolfgang Büchner and Undine von Diemar to Jones Day was a blow, but Stefan Schuppert remains and is recommended for his ‘very good expertise’ and ability to ‘think outside the box’.

Latham & Watkins LLP is well regarded for data protection advice, which is an area of expertise for Ulrich Wuermeling. The team also advised Airbus Operations on the development and implementation of an IT charter; GE Money on outsourcing contracts; and Qatar Exchange on the negotiations of information service contracts. It acted for Sony Online Entertainment regarding an investigation into a large-scale data breach.

White & Case LLP’s premier reputation gives it access to high-profile clients, among them facebook. The team also acted for the German Federal Ministry of the Interior and the Federal Authority for the Digital Security Radio, and advised a DAX 30 corporation on outsourcing matters. Clients say that advice is ‘clear and transparent’ and ‘lawyers easily become part of our team’. Key recommendations are Jost Kotthoff, who ‘always finds a solution’, and Detlev Gabel, who ‘maps commercial models into a regulated environment’.

Avocado rechtsanwälte has been active in data protection and outsourcing matters, and can call on its best-friends network internationally. Compuware instructed the team on contractual matters, while Svenska Handelsbanken is a client regarding software licensing and data processing. Jan Peter Voß is highly rated.

Bartsch has been remodelled following the dissolution of the old entity, Bartsch und Partner. Six partners are now part of the new firm, including name partner Michael Bartsch. The firm fields a ‘very pragmatic’ team, which represents international software manufacturers and media service providers.

Stephan Menzemer leads Buse Heberer Fromm’s team, which has been busy advising on outsourcing, and also acted for Dailycer Group Deutschland on software matters and Traxon Global Logistics System on contractual matters.

Gleiss Lutz’s M&A-oriented practice recently advised Infineon on the sale of its wireless solutions division to Intel, and MCS on the sale of its patient data management systems business division. Clients appreciate the team’s ability to assimilate their needs. Stefan Weidert is recommended.

McDermott Will & Emery Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater LLP’s media and technology experts are advising Deutsche Telekom on core IT business issues, and 1&1 Internet regarding a new software-as-a-service platform. Wolfgang von Frentz provides ‘good advice within a short time’.

SKW Schwarz Rechtsanwälte has been busy, particularly regarding online matters and in IT litigation. The group handles data protection matters for Celanese, acted for Deutsche Telekom in litigation, and advised Expedia on its online platform. Oliver Hornung is recommended.