A key name in the IT world, August Debouzy advises major French and international clients with regard to their cross-border digital projects. Testament to its capabilities, the practice has been advising Microsoft for over 25 years, recently on licencing agreements with other entities to promote innovative technologies and digital transformation. Mahasti Razavi co-heads the IT practice alongside Florence Chafiol and Alexandra Berg-Moussa. Associate Anne-Sophie Lampe shows promise in IT litigation and is solicited by companies for some of their largest IT disputes. Hiring two associates in May 2021, the firm is committed to growing the practice.

One of the most renowned international IT firms on the French market, Bird & Bird draws on its strong intersectorial abilities to handle complex IT matters from clients in diverse industries. The firm has particular expertise handling hosting liability issues deriving from UGC content, with the team having recently published an EU geo-blocking regulation guide. Co-head of the practice alongside Merav Griguer, Stéphane Leriche is increasingly involved in market-leading matters with clients such as NextMind, an innovative brain-sensing wearable device that allows hands-free control of technology with direct brain commands.

DLA Piper has a particularly strong offering in the negotiation of highly complex agreements for the design, implementation, worldwide deployment and operationalisation of strategic IT solutions, both on-premise and SAAS. The firm is also well regarded for its contentious work, including IT project failure assistance, ERP implementation liabilities issues, outsourcing termination issues, software compliance claims and termination liabilities. Stéphane Lemarchand is recognised as an IT disputes specialist. Jonathan Rofé‘s expertise lies in outsourcing agreements. Frank Valentin joined in 2021 from ADVANT Altana.

CMS Francis Lefebvre Lyon Avocats has built a reputation in the IT space in contentious and non-contentious matters for technology, media and communication sector clients. Regularly advising market-leading online platforms such as AirbnB, Amazon and Deliveroo, the firm is well known for its regulatory expertise. Taking on cutting-edge projects, the team also assisted car manufacturer Hopium with the launch of its hydrogen car. Anne-Laure Villedieu manages the department.

De Gaulle Fleurance & Associés’s IT team combines regulatory strength with expertise in complex litigation, acting for a diverse client base that includes start-ups and public bodies. The firm is the first independent French law firm to qualify as a Europrivacy official partner by the European Centre for Certification and Privacy. Georgie Courtois is the name to note at the firm and has developed particular knowledge in the field of technological innovation, namely artificial intelligence, Big Data, and robotics. Julien Horn handles transactional and contractual work on IP and IT assets. Cécile Théard-Jallu has built strong experience acting for international groups and SMEs in the fields of health, mobility and digital technologies. Louis de Gaulle specialises in intellectual property, new technologies, commercial law and public law.

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. frequently handles major digital transformation projects and high-stakes IT projects. This year the team assisted the Aura Blockchain Consortium, composed of LVMH, Cartier and Prada, with the launch of the first global blockchain solution dedicated to the luxury goods industry. Complex IT disputes and major IT licensing and servicing agreements are other areas of strength. Thierry Dor is the name to note for IT. Newly appointed to the partnership in July 2021, Julien Guinot-Deléry is also highlighted for his involvement in the Unibail litigation.

One of the first firms in Europe to develop a regulatory practice in telecommunications, Jones Day has a longstanding reputation for tech-related legal advice. The team is a popular choice of counsel for both new players and traditional operators, regularly acting for telecom operators, media and digital platforms, governments, investment funds, and financial institutions. Rémy Fekete has a particular focus on telecoms, whilst Olivier Haas is the expert on data-related issues.

Latham & Watkins assists with transactional, regulatory, and litigation matters for tech companies and is especially active in the negotiation of complex telecommunications networks and infrastructure agreements, acting in particular for French groups operating globally. The firm advised unicorn investor Dragoneer on the $355m fundraising of France’s largest independent e-commerce site ManoMano. Jean-Luc Juhan is the head of the IT, telecoms and internet practice.

Latournerie Wolfrom Avocats‘ full-service IT practice stands out for its work on market-leading projects. Terence Cabot leads the practice with decades worth of experience advising major players in France regarding their IT-related legal issues.

LPA-CGR avocats assists clients with the design and negotiation of IT contracts, advises on IT security policies, and steers clients through the French and EU compliance regulations for web activities. Particularly competent in handling the IT projects of energy-related contracts, the firm has experience advising entire operator chains, from the supplier to the distribution network. Prudence Cadio is specialised in computer law, the protection of personal data, internet law, and intellectual property.

Norton Rose Fulbright‘s technology and innovation practice is best known for its advisory work on key IT transactions such as BPO and ITO, cloud services, and other XaaS licencing models. The team stays abreast of the legal implications of new technological developments, such as new cloud computing models, blockchain technology, internet of things and AI technologies. A particular highlight was the firm’s involvement in negotiating Crédit Agricole Payment Services’ issuer agreement with Apple for the deployment of Apple Pay within the Crédit Agricole group. Nadège Martin leads the practice and is the name to note for IT-related matters.

Osborne Clarke‘s Paris IT practice has a great reputation for its ability to decrypt complex technology-related issues and handle complex transactions and disputes. The practice is led by Claire Bouchenard and Xavier Pican whose combined expertise spans digital transformation and cloud issues, adtech and e-commerce, cybersecurity and smart cities. Often instructed for its expertise in e-commerce, the firm has been advising Pokémon on the launch of its EU-wide e-commerce activity and its compliance with e-game regulation. Béatrice Delmas-Linel left the firm for an in-house position in January 2022.

Aramis handles the full range of IT and digital law such as outsourcing and licencing and offers cutting-edge fintech expertise. E-commerce and e-payment systems are a big focus for the firm and the practice frequently acts as counsel for major multinational companies. Practice head Benjamin May takes the lead on such matters with the support of counsel David Roche.

With extensive experience in the French market, DS Avocats advises SMEs and large companies on transactional and contentious matters related to all areas of IT, software, e-commerce, and data protection law. Sylvain Staub is the founder and CEO of legal tech company, Data Legal Drive, a GDPR compliance management platform used by both public and private companies. The firm has been strengthened by the arrival of the IT team from Staub & Associés in October 2019. Antoine Gravereaux leads the practice with Sylvian Staub.

Boutique law firm ITLAW Avocats focuses on the negotiation of IT contracts, cybersecurity, digital marketing, data protection, and internet platform projects such as e-commerce. Founding partner Claudia Weber is an expert in the field of information technologies, data protection and intellectual property, in which she has over 25 years of experience. The firm is notably advising a number of public institutions such as the French Interior Minister and the French Development Agency on their IT projects. Marine Hardy was recently promoted to head of innovation and security, a division of the wider IT practice covering new technologies and cybersecurity. Weber and Hardy direct the IT practice together with Jean-Christophe Ienné.

K&L Gates LLP has strong expertise in innovative systems, combining strength in technology, data protection and IP. Notably undertaking innovative and complex work, the team has advised on encryption and security software for Enigma Software/Cyclonis and secure GPS services for ICaune. Developing a focus on connected transport matters, the firm advises some of the biggest names in this growing area. Claude-Etienne Armingaud is the head of  the practice.

Boutique firm Luzi Avocats has developed expertise in the drafting and negotiation of a wide range of technology contracts and projects, usually representing and advising Saas Software producers or major hosting providers. The firm often negotiates against leading software publishers in the market such as Google, Oracle, and Microsoft. Olivia Luzi is the founder of the firm and is renowned for her in-depth knowledge of IT, media, and new technologies law.

Racine is best known for digitalisation, information system security, e- commerce and computing work, handling both contentious and non-contentious mandates. The team acts as data protection officer for more than 125 companies in commerce, distribution, press, education and transport, advising them on their day-to-day IT issues. Eric Barbry is the practice head and frequently assists clients with the legal aspects of their digital transformation.

Led by Philippe Glaser and Marc Schuler, Taylor Wessing‘s IT team carries out transactional work for a diverse mix of clients ranging from blue-chip global brands to SMEs with innovative business models and technologies. In addition to the heavyweight transactional and business project practice, including outsourcing, the team regularly advises on digital media products, including social media platforms, and assists clients with leveraging developing technologies. Valérie Aumage and two associates left in 2021.

Working hand in hand with the firm's corporate team, White & Case LLP‘s IT team handles IT issues in the context of mergers and acquisitions as well as stand-alone work for both domestic and global clients. For key client Facebook, the practice handles pre-litigation and litigation matters affecting its social network activities outside the US. Given the increasing scrutiny of authorities, Bertrand Liard often advises on IT regulatory matters in the event of security breaches. Clara Hainsdorf has extensive experience in commercial litigation.

ADVANT Altana

Behring

Bersay

Clifford Chance

Deprez Guignot Associés

Eversheds Sutherland (France) LLP

Harlay Avocats

Lawways

Lerins & BCW

Walter Billet Avocats