Stephenson Harwood

Intellectual Property, Tech and Data

Joanne is an experienced litigator, advising both domestic and international clients on various contentious matters pertaining to cyber, data, technology and life sciences.

She provides clients with strategic advice in relation to data breaches, cyber incidents and crisis management. She is regularly involved in the associated follow-on litigation and in defending claims (including class actions) brought in relation to alleged breaches/infringements of data protection and cyber security laws. She is well-versed in the recovery of sensitive data, source code and confidential information, and in dealing with investigations (internal and regulatory).

Joanne regularly advises on disputes arising from the use and misuse of technology. She has expertise in disputes relating to distressed IT projects, most often in the context of delays, defects, scope creep and/or failure to meet project milestones; and disputes arising from software/hardware implementation, software licensing arrangements and the use of AI.

Joanne has significant experience acting on life sciences disputes, including in relation to breach of contract claims arising from manufacturing agreements and clinical trials.
Joanne is a CIPP/E certified privacy professional. She has held her Higher Rights of Audience (enabling her to act as a solicitor-advocate in all English civil courts) since 2016 and has experience appearing in a variety of courts and tribunals.

She is also a CEDR-accredited mediator.