Mr Tom De Cordier > CMS EU > Brussels, Belgium > Lawyer Profile
CMS EU Offices
Avenue des Nerviens 85
1040 Brussels
Belgium
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Mr Tom De Cordier
Position
Partner
Career
Tom is a seasoned technology lawyer with a strong focus on data privacy law, technology, media and communications law, technology-related IP and life sciences. Clients praise him for his commercial acumen and his pragmatic and down-to-earth style.
His practice covers a wide range of advisory, transactional and litigation work in international and domestic matters relating to data privacy, TMC and life sciences. Tom has experience in:
- Data protection – Tom regularly assists clients in domestic and multi-jurisdictional privacy compliance projects. He advises clients on all aspects of data protection compliance, including data protection policies and procedures, the use of data in the provision of consumer and business products, big data, responding to data subject access requests, cross-border data transfers, cloud computing, data security breaches, transfers of data to regulators, data privacy in life sciences, the use of data in customer relationship management systems and processes, employee monitoring and website compliance issues, BYOD, whistleblowing hotlines, fintech, data privacy litigation, etc.
- IT transactions including IT sourcing projects; cloud projects; digital transformation projects; etc.
- IT advisory work (eg. advising on legal aspects of digital disruption, e-archiving, electronic signatures, etc.)
- Legal aspects of e-commerce (eg. advising on how to ensure that websites comply with e-commerce laws and regulations; drafting or reviewing website policies, online privacy policies; etc.)
- Network & information security (eg. advising clients on cyber security requirements and risks; etc.)
- Telecom & media regulatory matters including pre-contentious and contentious regulatory work (eg. assisting telecoms clients in their dealings with the regulatory authorities; representing clients in court proceedings regarding telecoms regulatory disputes; etc.)
- IP transactional work (eg. drafting and negotiating cross-border patent & know-how license agreements; drafting and negotiating complex R&D agreements; drafting and negotiating IP assignment agreements; drafting and negotiating IP reps & warranties; etc.)
Tom frequently speaks at conferences and seminars on technology-related and privacy-related topics. He is also frequently asked by the international press to share his views on recent trends and developments in this area.
Languages
English, Dutch, French
Education
2000 – Bar admission (Brussels, Belgium)
2000 – University of London – United Kingdom (LL.M. in Computers & Communications)
1999 – University of Ghent, UGent – Belgium (Master of Laws)
Lawyer Rankings
Belgium > Industry focus: IT and telecoms
(Leading individuals)CMS‘ ‘tech-savvy’ technology, media and communications team stands out for its comprehensive handling of technology and communications matters, spanning contentious and non-contentious work. Internet of Things projects, cyber incident response and cross-border data transfers are some of the group’s focus areas. ‘Truly exceptional lawyer’ Dirk Van Liedekerke co-chairs the team; his varied portfolio of work incorporates advice to major EU public operators on electronic communications regulation and contentious work related to inter-operator conflicts. IT expert Tom De Cordier completes the leadership team and is well versed in the implementation of the EU Data Act and mandates pertaining to AI. Deven Dobbelaere is a known name for telecoms regulatory advice.
Belgium > Insurance
Warranty and indemnity, construction professional and environmental liability insurance are all key focuses of the insurance team at CMS. In Antwerp, experienced litigator Virginie Frémat co-heads the practice and frequently acts for insurers and corporates in domestic and international litigation. The leadership team is completed by the Brussels-based trio of Carl Leermakers, Benoît Vandervelde and Tom De Cordier; Vandervelde is well versed in financial services and life insurance law. Back in Antwerp, Julie De Pauw‘s far-reaching practice encompasses policy reviews, dispute resolution and liability issues, while Tom Reingraber is a known name for insurance litigation.
Belgium > Fintech
Besides assisting a number of digital banks, payment providers, and IT startups with an array of regulatory, tax, and project support questions, CMS also leverages its TMT expertise to advise international companies in a wide range of sectors on the launch of e-insurance, e-payment, and verification projects. The team is particularly well versed in providing regulatory advice on cross-border fintech transactions and partnerships as well as on Belgian market entries. Benoît Vandervelde assists financial institutions and fintech companies with regulatory matters, with an increasing focus on the crypto space; he co-heads the team with electronic communications and competition specialist Dirk Van Liedekerke and data privacy expert Tom De Cordier.
Belgium > EU regulatory: Privacy and data protection
(Next Generation Partners)Recently, CMS has distinguished itself as a go-to counsel for cybersecurity incidents, attracting a growing number of businesses which have fallen victim to ransomware, DDoS and man-in-the-middle attacks. Other areas of strength include AI, the Internet of Things, and cross-border data transfers. Tom De Cordier oversees the dedicated team of data protection specialists, and is valued for his ability to leverage the firm’s global reach to assist with projects spanning multiple jurisdictions. Thomas Dubuisson is the name to note at senior associate level.