Sue McLean > Baker McKenzie > London, England > Lawyer Profile

With a global reach, Baker McKenzie’s niche expertise encompasses interception and network security, procurements, and telecommunications matters. Steve Holmes co-leads the team and often handles digital transactions and outsourcing, while Sue McLean is vastly experienced in AI, blockchain, cryptocurrency, and technology projects. Ben Allgrove is well-versed in digital and consumer disputes as well as regulatory investigations, Robbie Downing is noted for his strength in data protection, and Maulik Mittal is focused on platform regulation. Another key member of the team is Jalil Karim.

Baker McKenzie has an extremely broad commercial contracts practice, acting for long-term clients in sectors ranging from banking to healthcare and retail, but is especially strong in heavily regulated sectors. The team’s workload spans specialist areas such as consumer protection, data protection, advertising and marketing, sponsorship, data privacy and e-commerce, as well as cyber-security. Helen Brown is notable for her work in the retail industry, and is a go-to team member for distribution arrangements. Brown leads the team alongside Julia Hemmings and Sue McLean, who both focus on the technology sector, and are instrumental in the group’s work on the full range of commercial agreements, including outsourcing agreements and joint ventures in the technology sector – a strength of the practice as a whole. Maulik Mittal is another key name.

Counting global technology conglomerates and major AI research laboratories amongst its key clients, Baker McKenzie LLP has ‘in-depth knowledge’ in all aspects of AI-related governance, data acquisition, and IP matters. Headed by the trio of Sue McLean, Vinod Bange and chief innovation officer Ben Allgrove, the practice has experience in advising on dispute relating to the training of large language models. The ‘creative, strategic’ Allgrove is a specialist in the music industry, McLean is knowledgeable on complex technology and commercial deals, while Bange is an expert on data privacy and regulatory matters. John Groom primarily focuses on copyright and digital media issues, and Julia Hemmings concentrates on e-commerce and marketing affairs.

Covering complex disputes, regulatory issues, strategic M&A and commercial contracts, Baker McKenzie retains its powerful position, advising some of the largest names in social media, technology and AI. The team also remains at the forefront of trends in the market, working with major social media platforms on responses to government investigations concerning the use of generative AI. Ben Allgrove notably advises on digital media and intermediary platforms. Steve Holmes has significant experience in major life sciences, technology, outsourcing, telecommunications and digital transactions. Kate Alexander is an expert in cross-border tax structuring, while Will Holder focuses on M&A, leveraged buyouts, joint ventures, and private equity transactions within the TMT sector. Kim Sartin boasts HR and employment capabilities, while John Groom advises on copyright and digital regulation, including in high-stakes disputes. Sue McLean advises on cloud, outsourcing, digital transformation and development and licensing, and has a significant strength in AI issues.

Underpinned by the firm’s technological expertise, Baker McKenzie‘s fintech offering is notably strong in areas involving new technologies such as AI and blockchain. The cross-practice team is co-chaired by technology lawyer Sue McLean and financial services regulatory lawyer Mark Simpson. McLean is an AI expert who frequently leads on responsible AI governance and AI-related transactional projects, while Simpson advises clients – including payment institutions, banks and cryptoasset firms – on issues ranging from business launches to regulatory authorisations. Sarah Williams is equipped to assist major fintech clients with their expansion strategies.

Baker McKenzie‘s regular workload spans B2B agreements, a range of corporate tax matters involving fintechs, as well as commercial mandates. Financial services regulatory lawyer Mark Simpson leads the team along side technology lawyer Sue McLean. Sarah Williams advises on anti-money laundering compliance issues.