Mr Tom De Cordier > CMS EU > Brussels, Belgium > Lawyer Profile
CMS EU Offices
Avenue des Nerviens 85
1040 Brussels
Belgium
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Mr Tom De Cordier
Position
Partner
Career
Tom is a seasoned technology lawyer with a strong focus on data privacy law, technology, media and communications law, technology-related IP and life sciences. Clients praise him for his commercial acumen and his pragmatic and down-to-earth style.
His practice covers a wide range of advisory, transactional and litigation work in international and domestic matters relating to data privacy, TMC and life sciences. Tom has experience in:
- Data protection – Tom regularly assists clients in domestic and multi-jurisdictional privacy compliance projects. He advises clients on all aspects of data protection compliance, including data protection policies and procedures, the use of data in the provision of consumer and business products, big data, responding to data subject access requests, cross-border data transfers, cloud computing, data security breaches, transfers of data to regulators, data privacy in life sciences, the use of data in customer relationship management systems and processes, employee monitoring and website compliance issues, BYOD, whistleblowing hotlines, fintech, data privacy litigation, etc.
- IT transactions including IT sourcing projects; cloud projects; digital transformation projects; etc.
- IT advisory work (eg. advising on legal aspects of digital disruption, e-archiving, electronic signatures, etc.)
- Legal aspects of e-commerce (eg. advising on how to ensure that websites comply with e-commerce laws and regulations; drafting or reviewing website policies, online privacy policies; etc.)
- Network & information security (eg. advising clients on cyber security requirements and risks; etc.)
- Telecom & media regulatory matters including pre-contentious and contentious regulatory work (eg. assisting telecoms clients in their dealings with the regulatory authorities; representing clients in court proceedings regarding telecoms regulatory disputes; etc.)
- IP transactional work (eg. drafting and negotiating cross-border patent & know-how license agreements; drafting and negotiating complex R&D agreements; drafting and negotiating IP assignment agreements; drafting and negotiating IP reps & warranties; etc.)
Tom frequently speaks at conferences and seminars on technology-related and privacy-related topics. He is also frequently asked by the international press to share his views on recent trends and developments in this area.
Languages
English, Dutch, French
Education
2000 – Bar admission (Brussels, Belgium)
2000 – University of London – United Kingdom (LL.M. in Computers & Communications)
1999 – University of Ghent, UGent – Belgium (Master of Laws)
Lawyer Rankings
Belgium > Industry focus: IT and telecoms
(Leading partners)The ‘consistently reliable’ tech, media, and communications team at CMS delivers ‘exceptional quality’ for its clients, providing advice across the full gamut of IT, data protection, and media work. Emerging technology trends, including Internet of Things-related matters, data spaces, and artificial intelligence all fall within the expertise of the practice, which advises well-known tech clients, based in Belgium and internationally. The practice frequently works with others in the firm, including the employment and public law teams. Dirk Van Liedekerke leads the team alongside Tom De Cordier who ‘fosters a strong culture of professionalism and teamwork’, and has a practice focusing on tech-related IP and data privacy law. ‘Standout attorney’ Deven Dobbelaere is noted.
Belgium > Insurance
The team at CMS covers all areas of the insurance industry, with expertise in life and non-life insurance, focusing on W&I, cyber, construction, environmental liability, and professional liability. The practice regularly advises leading insurance companies on complex cross-border matters. Team co-head Benoît Vandervelde advises financial institutions on issues related to the compliance of insurance products, and has a focus on life insurance law. Tom De Cordier also leads the team, specialising in data privacy and technology law. Jean-François Goffin is key to the team, along with Pierre-Axel Chabot.
Belgium > EU regulatory: Privacy and data protection
(Next Generation Partners)The team at CMS is highly regarded for its expertise in information technology law, data privacy, and tech-related intellectual property matters. Noted by one client as being a ‘pleasure to work with, an expert in privacy matters and always available’, Tom De Cordier leads the practice. The firm boasts a strong cybersecurity practice, providing guidance on cybersecurity compliance and managing cyber incidents. With a focus on multijurisdictional matters, the department works closely with the firm’s international offices to deliver coordinated solutions. Thomas Dubuisson is a key member of the team, advising clients on GDPR compliance and a wide range of privacy-related issues.
Belgium > Fintech
The multidisciplinary fintech team from CMS draws on the firm’s banking and finance, IT & telecom, and digital teams. Its particular strength lies in matters related to cryptocurrencies and blockchain-backed financial services. Benoît Vandervelde is particularly focused on regulatory advice for payment service providers, fintech companies, banks, and insurance companies, including on Belgian market entries. Vandervelde co-heads the team with Dirk Van Liedekerke, who specialises in electronic communications and EU and Belgian competition law, and Tom De Cordier, who brings a focus on data privacy law.