Bird & Bird LLP ‘s versatile team impresses with in-depth data protection expertise and cross-locational capacities via its international network. DAX companies, global market leaders and state-owned companies are among the client roster, which the team advises on international data transfers, data analytics and cloud matters, but also increasingly on new business models and current trends such as AI, blockchain, IoT and digitisation. Companies from the healthcare, automotive, media and consumer goods sectors are supported in digital disruption, which is a core focus of Lennart Schüßler. Practice head Fabian Niemann focuses on technology, digital media, cloud computing, copyright and data protection law. In May 2022, Simon Assion, a specialist in information and telecommunications law, and Benjamin Wübbelt, who acts at the interface between public procurement law and IT law, made partners. IT and data protection expert Alexander Duisberg joined Ashurst LLP in February 2023.

The interdisciplinary and internationally-oriented data protection team at DLA Piper is led by Stefan Engels and Thilo von Bodungen and supports well-known clients in transactions, IT compliance, the implementation of data protection requirements in projects and in proceedings before data protection supervisory authorities and against damaged individuals as well as consumer protection associations. The advice on IP, digital transformation, outsourcing and IoT is another core area, where Jan Geert Meents and Jan Pohle are the key contacts. The client base includes insurance companies, media corporations as well as national and international companies from the automotive sector and high-tech industry, with a recent notable increase in the advice to clients from the media, consumer goods and retail sectors. Verena Grentzenberg offers longstanding experience in new business models, big data and AI projects.

Latham & Watkins LLP‘s data protection practice covers transactions, strategic advice (especially digital economy matters) and data privacy litigation. The team recently demonstrated its strength in major disputes, including in proceedings before the data protection authorities, in fines and civil proceedings related to possible data breaches, as well as damage compensation. European data protection law expert Ulrich Wuermeling regularly advises technology companies as well as organisations from the direct marketing, healthcare and financial services sectors. The practice is led by renowned Tim Wybitul, who is among the leading figures in German data protection law; he took the lead in the successful defence against the highest German GDPR fine to date before the ECJ.

Noerr ‘s full-service approach covers the entire spectrum of data protection law, including clients’ representation in administrative, fine and court proceedings, where the team routinely cooperates with the relevant litigation, regulatory and compliance experts. A particular focus is on data breach management and data protection litigation, which are among Sebastian Dienst‘s areas of expertise, as well as on the implementation of sustainable data protection compliance systems in the context of the GDPR legislation. Cross-border matters are also covered, particularly with reference to China, where the team regularly cooperates with local law firms. Joachim Schrey advises on data and confidentiality issues, while practice head Daniel Rücker assists with the structuring of international data flows, among others.

Osborne Clarke impresses with comprehensive data protection expertise, including litigation and cyber security as well as digital transformation projects; the latter is a core focus of Adrian Schneider, who made partner in January 2022. Frequent cooperations with other practices results in synergies at the commercial, antitrust, insolvency and, above all, IP interface. This comprehensive expertise is requested by clients from various sectors, with Julia Kaufmann, who joined the practice in July 2021 (previously at Baker McKenzie), strengthening the expertise in the healthcare sector. Lina Böcker (previously at JBB Rechtsanwälte) joined the firm in September 2022 and specialises in IT transactions. In addition to recognised practice head Flemming Moos (data protection and IT law), the practice also fields renowned expert Marc Störing (software development and IoT).

Large international corporations as well as public sector players rely on Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH's data protection expertise, which is regularly requested in the context of digital business models and AI platforms, most recently in the areas healthcare, mobility and telecoms. IT and data protection law expert Kay Oelschlägel is a key contact here and assists with both major projects and contentious issues; he is part of the practice led by Wulff-Axel Schmidt. Procurement law expert Tobias Osseforth joined from LUTZ | ABEL RECHTSANWALTS PARTG MBB in January 2022 and advises on tender procedures in the IT sector. Michael Rath covers matters at the interface between IT and IP law, while Stefanie Hellmich has expertise in digitisation matters and the use of new technologies.

WilmerHale is renowned for its data protection litigation expertise and has a correspondingly remarkable track record of ECJ proceedings and proceedings before the European Data Protection Board and before national authorities; The long-standing relationship with the technology company Meta, which is supported in numerous procedures, is noteworthy here. Martin Braun focuses on international data transfer and social media, he is supported by Hans-Georg Kamann and Frédéric Louis, who also frequently take the lead. The capacities in EU competition and regulatory law were strengthened with the partner appointment of Anne Vallery in January 2022.

Thanks to the close cooperation with the IT and media practice, ADVANT Beiten comprehensively advises on data protection issues, including compliance audits and the introduction of new technologies. This combined expertise is frequently requested by a loyal client base from the gaming, finance and healthcare sectors. Practice head Andreas Lober focuses on technology, digitisation and electronic entertainment and also represents clients in court and arbitration proceedings. Axel von Walter (data protection and digitisation) and Gudrun Hausner (data protection, IT and competition law) joined GvW Graf von Westphalen in July 2021.

The Eversheds Sutherland team around Munich-based Alexander Niethammer is a popular address for the risk assessment of international data transfers, privacy litigation, cyber security as well as data privacy issues. The practice acts integrated into the firm’s international network and regularly assists with large-scale projects. Industrial companies as well as clients from the healthcare and life sciences sectors regularly instruct the team on digitisation and transformation matters. In August 2022, Lutz Schreiber (IT, data protection, outsourcing) joined YPOG.

Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek‘s comprehensive data protection expertise encompasses outsourcing projects and related contract drafting, cross-border data transfers, software launches and the implementation of data protection audits. In addition, the team around Thomas Jansen and Hans Markus Wulf is well versed in transactions, which is also a core focus of Michael Kuska. Former salary partner and expert in data protection Britta Hinzpeter joined Kaiser X Labs as head of legal in May 2022.

Integrated into the firm’s IP, media and technology practice and led by Burkhart Goebel, Miriam Gundt and Andreas Bothe, Hogan Lovells International LLP advises clients on data breaches, cyber attacks and transactions and represents them in data protection litigation and proceedings before German and international supervisory authorities. The group specialises in advising on the interface between data protection and employment law and covers topics such as employee data protection in the context of outsourcing projects. In line with the firm’s orientation, the data protection team is also focused on the automotive, healthcare, finance and insurance sectors.

Jones Day‘s interdisciplinary practice comprehensively covers data protection law and frequently advises across locations on cyber attacks and transactions and also leads internal investigations, thanks to the cooperation with the compliance team and the expertise of Martin Lotz. German and international clients, particularly the US, from the technology, life sciences and fintech sectors regularly instruct the team, which is led by renowned data protection expert Undine von Diemar.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP primarily advises technology companies on data protection compliance (in the transactional framework), prevention and response to cybersecurity breaches, data transfers and matters pertaining to licensing, IP and the Internet of Things. Cross-border mandates are also routinely handled, thanks to the integration into the firm’s global network. Data protection law expert Christian Schröder leads the team and, in addition to the advisory role, also represents companies in court, before supervisory authorities as well as patent and trademark offices.

White & Case LLP advises its clients on all aspects of German and European data protection, with particular expertise in cross-border data traffic and cybersecurity. Clients’ representation in international court proceedings is another mainstay as well as the advice on contract and public procurement law. Head of the global practice group Data, Privacy & Cyber Security Detlev Gabel is well versed in data protection as well as technology law.

Morrison Foerster‘s data protection team supports well-known German and international (especially Japanese) companies, which the group advises on M&A transactions, GDPR compliance and data protection breaches. The experience in contentious high-volume fine proceedings, which include the highest fines imposed in Germany to date, is particularly noteworthy. The team is led by Hanno Timner, who covers the interface between employment law and data protection.

Norton Rose Fulbright 's team acts in cross-border cooperation with locations in Europe, the US and Asia and advises  international companies in the finance, insurance, life sciences and healthcare sectors with a particular focus on the automotive industry. The advice offering covers data transfers, outsourcing and data breaches. The team is led by Christoph Ritzer and Jamie Nowak, who are experienced in software licensing, e-commerce and M&A transactions.

Dentons‘ data protection team includes experts from the areas compliance, IT, IP, corporate and employment law and routinely advises on international data exchange, the implementation of the GDPR legislation and compliance. In addition to the advice offering, clients are supported in crisis situations, such as data breaches. Christian Schefold has extensive experience in compliance and data protection as well as in group and corporate law.

Greenberg Traurig Germany closely cooperates with other practices and covers outsourcing, data security, fintech, medtech and e-health as well as, increasingly, transactions in the areas technology and IT and related data protection matters. Viola Bensinger‘s expertise encompasses clients’ representation in contentious matters and the support of German federal states in the preparation of legal opinions on the admissibility of cloud-related products under data protection law, among others.

GSK Stockmann‘s internationally-oriented IT and data protection team around Jörg Kahler and Katy Ritzmann primarily assists clients from the mobility, aviation and finance sectors and advises on technology-related transactions and data protection compliance, while also representing clients in contentious disputes. Data processing and blockchain were among the recent growth topics.

In addition to traditional GDPR issues and clients' representation before the authorities, Oppenhoff is increasingly active in the areas health data, digitisation and the Internet of Things, where the group regularly cooperates with the digitisation team. Another growth area are matters pertaining to cybersecurity, including preventive checks. Jürgen Hartung and Marc Hilber head the team.