The Legal 500

CMS Hasche Sigle maintained a steady workflow advising on major outsourcing projects in 2010, mainly in the banking sector. The large group features partners with a broad range of specialisations in numerous offices across Germany. The team advised the German Music Industry Association in the fight against internet businesses undermining copyright, and EMCC on the creation and operation of an ASP solution for market coupling in the electricity sector with Deutsche Börse Systems. A well-known cloud computing supplier instructs the team on data protection matters. Particularly recommended are Axel Funk and Sebastian Cording.

The team at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer impresses with ‘excellent performance in international transactions’, and further excels advising on cross-border outsourcing and data protection matters. Headed by Klaus Beucher, the practice advised Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank on outsourcing IT processes and infrastructure to a foreign data centre, and D+S Europe on outsourcing agreements with several international fashion companies regarding e-commerce and logistic services. SEB further instructed the team on the sale of its German retail business to Santander Consumer Bank.

Noerr LLP remains one of the leading firms in the market, for both IT and outsourcing advice. Key partners Peter Bräutigam and Joachim Schrey are highly regarded in the market, leading a growing practice. Highlights included advising CCP Systems in proceedings in Germany and the US against IBM, and insurance group Talanx, on a multimillion-euro multi-sourcing project. The firm also advises Microsoft Germany. Villeroy & Boch instructed the team on the outsourcing of its data processing centre. The firm’s renowned media practice gives the team a headstart in related areas such as e-commerce.

Baker & McKenzie covers a wide range of matters, including outsourcing, data protection and transaction-related advice. The firm’s ‘exceptionally strong’ US presence has been noted; it frequently acts for IT and technology companies. Schott instructed the team on a four party €150m outsourcing deal comprising 45 countries, and the team advised Xchanging on one of the first outsourcings of an internal back-office service provider in the banking sector. Christoph Rittweger, Wolfgang Fritzemeyer and Matthias Scholz are recommended.

Hogan Lovells International LLP advises on a broad range of areas, including data protection, outsourcing, cloud computing and compliance. Salesforce.com instructed the team on numerous multijurisdictional data privacy and data security matters, and Acer, Dell and IBM sought advice regarding copyright levies. Clients are impressed with ‘how the team takes international aspects into account’. Stefan Schuppert ‘thinks outside the box’ and ‘provides business-oriented advice’, while Wolfgang Büchner is rated as ‘outstanding’.

Specialist firm SSW Schneider Schiffer Weihermüller remains ‘unquestionably among the leading teams in the market’, with ‘IT guru’ Jochen Schneider enjoying a fantastic reputation. The relatively small firm is continually able to outshine some of the global players. Covering the entire spectrum of IT law, the team recently advised a service provider regarding projects in the US, an IT developer on contract law, and a technology company on its webshop-outsourcing. Isabell Conrad is highly regarded.

The busy practice at Taylor Wessing is among the few firms at the forefront of advising on cloud computing matters, with Microsoft a key client. Google is among the firm’s clients in the area of data protection, another significant source of work. Clients appreciate the ‘solution-oriented attitude’ and the ‘fantastic service level’, singling out Axel von dem Bussche, Jan Pohle and Detlef Klett.

Bartsch und Partner GbR is traditionally strong in South Germany, and is a key player in the market, thanks to the ‘incredibly smart IT lawyer’ Michael Bartsch. Internet providers, software and insurance companies count among the clients. Another string to its bow is the cooperation with Strasbourg firm Alexandre Lévy Kahn, ensuring a steady flow of cross-border matters.

Bird & Bird LLP acquired new clients ADAC and European Central Bank, and has been involved in advising on cloud computing matters, underlining the team’s dynamic development. Deutsche Postbank, Atos Origin, Google and PayPal are further clients of the team, which includes the recommended Alexander Duisberg, Fabian Niemann and Jörg-Alexander Paul.

Clifford Chance focuses on transaction-related advice and data protection matters, with TMT partner Florian Schmitz advising T-Systems on outsourcing matters, and Apple on data protection issues. The group traditionally has good relations to the banking sector, which ensures a steady flow of work.

Heymann & Partner Rechtsanwälte counts among the leading firms in the outsourcing arena, and recently advised E.ON on what was one of the biggest outsourcings in Germany in 2010. However, the team provides advice on data protection and compliance matters also, with Daimler a client. Deutsche Bank and SEB are further outsourcing clients. Thomas Heymann is highly regarded in the market.

Latham & Watkins LLP has been involved in major outsourcings in the aviation and banking sectors, and the team, jointly headed by data protection expert Ulrich Wuermeling and Ulrich Börger, advised Amazon and Bank of Scotland on data protection matters. The firm represented The UK Hydrographic Office in a database-right dispute.

White & Case LLP provides ‘high quality legal advice’ and clients particularly rate the ‘experienced’ partners, including Jost Kotthoff and Detlev Gabel. Renowned for its outsourcing advice, the team acted for pbb Deutsche Pfandbriefbank on the outsourcing of the worldwide IT infrastructure, and counts several other DAX30 listed companies among its clients, as well as a German federal state bank and a health care group.

Avocado rechtsanwälte’s practice is international in scope, capitalising on its strong ties with the telecoms team. Highlights included advising freenet, Travian Games and ZMG on contract drafting for IT projects. Jan Peter Voß is recommended.

Buse Heberer Fromm’s Stephan Menzemer heads a team which advised Buy.com on e-commerce matters, GroupM on data protection matters, and Microchip regarding contract matters. The team’s strong ties to French clients provide a constant source of work.

DLA Piper advises technology sector clients, and is rated for the ‘exceptional IT lawyer’ Jan Geert Meents, who clients ‘would recommend without hesitation’. A leading IT and outsourcing provider instructed the team on numerous projects, while the firm provides ongoing advice to HanseNet Telekommunikation. Kabel Deutschland and ProSiebenSat.1 are outsourcing clients. Thomas Jansen is recommended.

Gleiss Lutz is visible in both transactional and stand-alone IT work. The team, headed by Stefan Weidert, acted for AOK in connection with the issuing of an electronic health card, while Mamut, Heidelberg Cement and Schindler are further clients. The team gained Celesio as a new client in 2010.

McDermott Will & Emery Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater LLP is noted for its media and technology expertise, with renowned partners Ralf Weisser and Wolfgang von Frentz. Deutsche Telekom instructs the team on the licensing and development of software, hosting, and open source licensing, and the firm represented Silicon Graphics in litigation against Media Broadcast.

SKW Schwarz Rechtsanwälte’s team works closely with the firm’s rated media and IP groups, and includes Martin Schweinoch and Oliver Hornung. Highlights included advising Avanade Deutschland on a joint venture between Microsoft and Accenture, and CORPUS SIREO on contract matters.