Bird & Bird LLP‘s multidisciplinary practice leads on major regulatory and transactional matters in the AI sector, and clients include software developers, international investors and public bodies. The capabilities of the practice span seed fundings and acquisitions of AI start-ups, internal regulatory and legal compliance at the domestic and European levels, as well as general IT, data protection, and employment law advice on the use of AI. Co-leading are Fabian Niemann, who specialises in matters concerning cloud computing and digital transformations, and Miriam Ballhausen, who leads on copyright, licensing, and contractual matters. Other prominent names include Nils Lölfing, who assists in data protection matters.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Great trust and loyalty, next to excellent legal skills.'
- 'I have worked with Bird & Bird continuously, and they continue to amaze me with their customer centricity, focus on innovation and can-do attitude. I have rarely worked with more pragmatic, solution-oriented external advice.'
- 'Fabian Niemann is our connection to the Bird & Bird organisation, and our go-to person for anything connected to data privacy.'
- 'Very responsive, very business minded, very dedicated and easy to work with.'
Key clients
- ABB
- Adobe
- Adidas
- Covestro
- Deutsche Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit
- Electrolux
- Huawei
- Mastercard
- Milestone
- SAP
- Solventum Group
- Tencent
Work highlights
Provided guidance to adidas on developing AI compliance, covering general principles and five specific use cases: programming, internal and external AI chatbots, marketing, and translation.
Advised SAP on IT and data protection law, in particular on issues relating to AI, cloud computing, new technologies and sector-specific requirements, as well as international technology compliance projects.
Drafted a bespoke AI Use Policy for an EU financial institution, offering comprehensive guidance that goes beyond standard protocols and is significantly more detailed than general guidelines, including requirements such as maintaining human oversight and addressing potential biases.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Nils Lölfing
Practice head
Fabian Niemann; Miriam Ballhausen
Other key lawyers
Nils Lölfing