Acting on its own, as well as often collaborating with complementary practice areas and lawyers from across its extensive international network, Allen & Overy Luxembourg is a popular choice among financial services, insurance, life sciences and telecoms clients across a broad spectrum of their IP and IT concerns, both domestically and in a cross-border context. Although team head Catherine Di Lorenzo is adept at handling transactional and commercial IP-related matters, she is undoubtedly best-known her IT outsourcing and data protection work, including on investigations and compliance. In addition, she regularly alongside practitioners from the office's acclaimed banking and regulatory teams to provide counselling to fintech companies across a range of IP and IT issues.
IP and IT in Luxembourg
Allen & Overy Luxembourg
Practice head(s):
Catherine Di Lorenzo
Other key lawyers:
Izabela Dutkiewicz; Paul Wagner; Barbara Azoulay
Testimonials
‘Catherine Di Lorenzo is a strong practitioner with an excellent track record, especially in IT/outsourcing/data protection.’
Work highlights
Arendt & Medernach
Arendt & Medernach's two-partner team provides 'pragmatic and business-minded' advice to clients across a range contentious and non-contentious IT and IP-related work, including as it relates to digitisation projects, outsourcing arrangements and IPR protection/enforcement. The 'practical and responsive' Astrid Wagner is the main contact for work in the space and is noted, in particular, for her data protection expertise, which manifests itself in relation to risk management (through effective contractual drafting), dealings with the regulator and in the aftermath of cyber-attacks. Sophie Wagner-Chartier co-heads the team alongside Wagner.
Practice head(s):
Astrid Wagner; Sophie Wagner-Chartier
Testimonials
‘Their work is always precise, pragmatic and business-minded.’
‘Responsiveness; highly knowledgeable; close links with key regulator stakeholders.’
‘Astrid Wagner provides practical and responsive advice.’
‘Astrid Wagner is highly knowledgeable on GDPR and related matters in particular with the practical implications thereof and interpretation/approach taken by local regulator.’
Key clients
Tokeny
ACRON
Bain Capital
Volkswagen / Audi
Talkwalker
Made in Space
Spire
Generali
European Investment Bank
Microsoft
Work highlights
- Advised numerous clients including local, multinational, and listed entities, in the context of cyber-attacks involving cross-border personal data breaches.
- Assisted an award-winning start-up inventing solutions to limit food waste management, developing digital and customized solutions for retailers and supermarkets to fight food waste, in the context of its brand image and trademark protection and defence.
- Assisted a Luxembourg HR consulting firm during the contentious phase of a case in relation to intellectual property rights’ infringements and cybersquatting by a direct competitor leading to acts of unfair competition and reputational and moral prejudice.
C law
With four-partners focused solely on work in the IT and IP space, boutique firm C law has been able to forge a very position in the market, both directly among clients, as well as in a law firm referral context, where it is recognised for its ‘hands-on and results focused’ service. Current President of the Luxembourg Chapter of the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI), Katia Manhaeve has comprehensive knowledge across trade marks, patents and copyrights, and is consequently viewed as ‘an absolute pleasure to work with’, whether it be in relation to litigation or contractual drafting. The ‘excellent and reliable’ Claire Leonelli is also well-versed across a range of IP matters and is recognised, in particular, for her copyright expertise. Recognised by one client, as ‘certainly the best IT lawyer in Luxembourg’, Elisabeth Guissart also has ‘a very good knowledge of litigation procedures’, ensuring that she often takes the lead on high-profile disputes in the space. The team is rounded out at a partner level by the vastly experienced Cyril Pierre-Beausse, who excels at handling data protection and IT outsourcing matters.
Practice head(s):
N/A
Other key lawyers:
Cyril Pierre-Beausse; Claire Leonelli; Katia Manhaeve; Elisabeth Guissart; Claire Denoual
Testimonials
‘The team is highly experienced, hands-on and results focused.’
‘Elisabeth Guissart is very knowledgeable, always available and hands-on with her files. She’s certainly the best IT lawyer in Luxembourg with a very good knowledge of litigation procedures as well.’
‘Elisabeth Guissart is a very proactive and competent attorney. She leads cases and moves them forward very efficiently.’
Work highlights
DLA Piper Luxembourg
Peopled with 'great experts in the field of IP and new technologies', despite its relative infancy in the market, the 'fantastic' five-strong team at DLA Piper Luxembourg has rapidly gained market share and has quickly become among the very best firms in the market across IP, data protection and technology. Praised for his 'very high level of professionalism and expertise', counsel David Alexandre is the main contact for IP matters at the firm, with responsibility for managing global trade mark portfolios and co-ordinating the work over dozens of jurisdictions. Oliver Reisch is responsible for overseeing the firm's technology offering and is 'very knowledgeable' across data protection matters, regulatory advice and outsourcing work, for financial services clients in particular. 'An outstanding IP lawyer', associate Alejandro González Vega is appreciated for his internationally focused offering and 'strong analytical capacity'.
Practice head(s):
Olivier Reisch; David Alexandre
Other key lawyers:
Guillaume Dally; Alejandro Gonzalez Vega; Camille Malécot
Testimonials
‘The team is composed of great experts in the field of intellectual property and new technologies. They are very professional, attentive and available.’
‘The team is just fantastic. We love the way how they understand our business, needs and the way how we think. Also, they are always one step ahead and provide a detailed action plan for the issues we have, including the costs.’
‘Olivier Reisch is very knowledgeable and provides dedicated legal advice to its customers.’
Key clients
Alstom
ATR (a subsidiary of AIRBUS)
AXA
Bridge Investment Group
Claire’s Accessories
CONAIR BABYLISS
Fareva
Generali Real Estate
Harbert
Harrison Street
Max Planck Institute Foundation Luxembourg
Middle Game Ventures
Nintendo
Nomura
Sodexo
SolarPower
Teqball
Groupe Clergerie
Work highlights
- Advising on the IP and new technologies aspects of the sale to the Spanish group CAF of its Reichshoffen production site in France and its Coradia Polyvalent and TALENT3 regional train platforms (currently developed in Hennigsdorf, Germany).
- Advising on the global protection strategy of Fareva’s IP assets.
- Advising Groupe Clergerie on the management of its global trade mark portfolio (approx. 200 trademarks) / surveillance of their trade marks.
Elvinger Hoss Prussen
At Elvinger Hoss Prussen, tech specialist Gary Cywie has an 'excellent track record in IT/outsourcing/data protection' work for a range of clients, including many within the financial services sector. Linda Funck co-heads the team alongside Cywie and as well as providing standalone ICT, IP and data protection advice, including for fintech start-ups, is also very adept at handling tech-related M&A transactions. Check
Practice head(s):
Linda Funck; Gary Cywie
Other key lawyers:
Emmanuèle de Dampierre
Testimonials
‘Gary Cywie is very reactive and has valuable expertise in data protection.’
‘Gary Cywie has an excellent track record in IT/outsourcing/data protection.’
Key clients
POST Luxembourg
Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH)
Next Gate Tech
BNP Paribas Wealth Management / Global General Partner
CARE (shop sign Cactus Shoppi)
Advanzia Bank
Losch Group
Quilvest Capital Partners
Seqvoia
Global Evolution Manco
Maana Electric
Work highlights
- Advised POST Luxembourg and its affiliates on information technology and data protection and other specific topics in relation to their telecommunication, FinTech and RegTech business activity and other related matters.
- Regularly advises the biomedical research entity Luxembourg Institute of Health on their legal needs.
- Advised Luxembourg-based FinTech company Next Gate Tech on contractual and regulatory matter linked to the provision of Software as a Service smart automation solution for the asset management industry.
NautaDutilh
Led by Vincent Wellens NautaDutilh provides ‘clear, practical and prompt advice’ to clients across a range of standalone IP/TMT matters, as well as on regulatory and IP-related issues pursuant to M&A activity in the TMT sector. While he is also noted for his ‘good knowledge of IP matters’, which manifests itself most visibly in a litigation context (including patent litigation in the pharmaceuticals sector) Wellens and the practice as a whole, is however, perhaps best known for its IT outsourcing work and data protection offering.
Practice head(s):
Vincent Wellens
Other key lawyers:
Carmen Schellekens; Lindsay Korytko; Sigrid Heirbrant; Yoann Le Bihan
Testimonials
‘Great practice in Luxembourg for data protection advice.’
‘The team is very professional and responsive.’
‘They provide clear, practical and prompt advice.’
‘It’s a pleasure to work with Vincent Wellens. Beyond any specific advice requested, he’s always on the lookout for developments that would affect his clients.’
‘Vincent Wellens has a good knowledge of IP matters.’
Key clients
Airbnb
Nomura
Azenta
Samsonite
Tata Consultancy Services
Volkswagen Payments
Aperam
BMW
Canal +
Equans
Facebook (Meta)
Fedex
Microsoft
Post Luxembourg
Fendi
Ferrari
Fujitsu-Siemens
Goodyear
Luxair
Luxembourg State (Ctie, ministry of defence, ministry for interior security, ministry for mobility …)
O’Neil
RTL
UBS
Work highlights
- Acting for Microsoft on telecom regulatory questions in relation to several Teams services and with the notification of some of them to the Luxembourg telecom regulator.
- Assists RTL Group in connection with the contemplated combination of RTL Nederland’s and Talpa Network’s broadcasting and affiliated media businesses in the Netherlands creating a strong Dutch cross-media group to compete with global tech platforms.
- Advised Azenta on the acquisition of the Luxembourg based medical devices manufacturer B Medical.
Bonn & Schmitt
At Bonn & Schmitt, Alain Grosjean has considerable grounding in the IP/IT space and is particular adept at advising on data protection matters, including his ongoing work for the Luxembourg Bar Association on the impact of data protection rules on the Luxembourg legal profession. Grosjean co-heads the team alongside Erwin Sotiri, who brings added bandwidth to the practice following his arrival from now defunct cryptocurrencies and blockchain specialised firm Jurisconsul in October 2021.
Practice head(s):
Alain Grosjean; Erwin Sotir
Other key lawyers:
Ruben Mendes; Simon Malterre; Elena Arno
Testimonials
Key clients
Luxembourg Bar Association
Sacem Luxembourg
CLT UFA S.A.
AGICOA
Work highlights
LG Avocats
Independent domestic boutique LG Avocats has a strong reputation advising on media, telecoms and privacy regulatory matters acting directly for clients, as well as regularly receiving referral mandates from international law firms. Team head Herve Wolff has a strong reputation in the market.
Practice head(s):
Hervé Wolff
Work highlights
- Advised Chinese leading global provider of ICT on a SaaS services and cloud project.
- Advised one of GAFAM on data protection issues.
- Assisted US multinational technology conglomerate corporation on its project to provide telecommunication services in Luxembourg by providing regulatory advice, and registration with the regulator.
Loyens & Loeff
Overseen by litigation and risk management practice group head Véronique Hoffeld , Loyens & Loeff‘s ‘outstanding’ team is particularly adept at advising its strong base of asset management firms on data protection/GDPR compliance mandates. Associate Emilia Fronczak is a key member of the team and is appreciated for her ability to remain ‘calm in the middle of complex situations’.
Practice head(s):
Véronique Hoffeld
Other key lawyers:
Sabrina Martin; Emilia Fronczak; Amandine Ther
Testimonials
‘The firm’s IP and IT practice is outstanding. They know what the client wants during complex situation and are there to accompany and help the internal legal team to reach the best conclusion.’
‘Emilia Fronczak is one of those lawyers that keeps calm in the middle of complex situations, providing good advice when needed and supporting the internal teams.’
Work highlights
MOLITOR Avocats à la Cour SARL
MOLITOR Avocats à la Cour SARL
has a solid offering across a range of primarily non-contentious matters relating to IP and IT matters, including pro bono work on data protection compliance for charities. Virginie Liebermann 'is hands-on, very knowledgeable and has a good sense of the practical side of matters' and is particularly skilled at advising on advertising and consumer law. Liebermann co-heads the team alongside Michel Molitor
.
Practice head(s):
Virginie Liebermann; Michel Molitor
Testimonials
‘Virginie Liebermann is hands-on, very knowledgeable and has a good sense of the practical side of matters.’
‘The firm has excellent expertise in the advertising space.’
Work highlights
PwC Legal Luxembourg
Under the leadership of the 'very calm and reassuring' Audrey Rustichelli , PwC Legal Luxembourg provides 'extremely goal-oriented and pragmatic' advice to clients across a range of IT and data protection matters. GDPR compliance-related work still accounts for a considerable volume of instructions, however, the firm is also increasingly active at advising on complex IT contractual matters, as well as guiding financial services clients on large digitalisation projects.
Practice head(s):
Audrey Rustichelli
Other key lawyers:
Nicolas Hamblenne
Testimonials
‘The team is extremely goal-oriented and pragmatic.’
‘The team is extremely knowledgeable in GDPR and IT contracts and gave also very great advice regarding archiving and digitalization.’
‘They are extremely knowledgeable in relation to data protection, IT agreements and any element regarding digitalization.’
‘The experienced Audrey Rustichelli is available, always very calm and reassuring.’
Key clients
LuxTrust S.A
Work highlights
Clifford Chance
Much of Clifford Chance's IT/IP-related work is for clients in the financial services and asset management sector, including a considerable amount of recent advice on the use of electronic signatures, particularly in the aftermath of the pandemic. Senior associate Charles-Henri Laevens handles much of the day-to-day work in the space and is particularly accomplished at handling data protection and privacy matters. Banking partner Steve Jacoby regularly advises fintech clients and oversees the overarching team alongside Albert Moro.
Practice head(s):
Albert Moro; Steve Jacoby
Other key lawyers:
Charles-Henri Laevens
Key clients
Investment Funds
The LHoFT Foundation
FIS/Virtus
Banks, asset managers, investment funds and other financial institutions
Trade Republic
Lux-Airport
Work highlights
- Advised Fortune 500 Fintech provider FIS on the transfer of the Registrar and Transfer Agency function in relation to the Luxembourg funds of Franklin Templeton from the FT Lux super Manco to Virtus, the Lux subsidiary of FIS. The team is supporting the client in dealing with the transition of its IT systems and outsourcing schemes and advises with the required filing with the CSSF.
- Assisted Trade Republic with financial regulatory, data privacy and tax advice, in connection with its ongoing compliance and expansion plans in Luxembourg.
- Advised state-owned entity Lux Airport on the data protection and IT-related contractual matters agreements pursuant to the development of Skypark Business Center.