Linklaters LLP provides data protection services to multinational organisations and blue-chip companies from highly regulated sectors, ranging from TMT and consumer products to financial services and aerospace & defence. The team offers comprehensive support, including regulatory advice, representation in engagements with regulators, and cyber incident response. Richard Cumbley leads the practice and is the main contact for privacy enforcement actions and disputes in the tech industry. Georgina Kon is recommended for investigations and crisis mitigation. Greg Palmer excels in complex data subject access requests and cyberattack preparedness and response strategies. Julian Cunningham-Day specialises in compliance and data solutions, particularly for financial services operators. Ben Packer and Peter Church are also names to note. Patrick O’Connell has left the firm.
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Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
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- Richard Cumbley speaks confidently and knowledgeably on all areas, inspires complete trust, and is not afraid to push back on senior stakeholders in order to protect the company. He makes himself available to the client. Olivia Hagyard can run with items without the need for a partner, is very proactive (managing me rather than the reverse!), and is accountable for all items of work. I have complete trust in her and she is not afraid to deliver hard messages to me as the client. She assists in other areas if she can be helpful.
- Richard Cumbley and Olivia Hagyard effectively held my hand throughout this entire piece of work, providing advice at every step and helping me resolve many issues with board members, third-party partners, and employees.
- We use them for online safety work, and the team has been deep in the details of this from inception. They are good at navigating the ambiguity and coming up with legal arguments to help shape an approach.
- We work closely with Richard Cumbley on various data protection matters. Richard and his team are highly pragmatic and commercial, which is rare among data protection specialists. I appreciate that he understands the practical and operational implications of his advice and does not simply advise what the law says. Richard is also attuned to institutional dynamics and responds well to coaching about potential organizational/political pitfalls.
- Greg Palmer is a seasoned and effective data protection lawyer and a pleasure to work with. Harriet Ellis is a very good strategist.
- We took on this particular team in response to a cyber incident the company encountered during 2025. The team provided invaluable guidance, support, and reassurance at that time, working tirelessly and through many hours when the matter was urgent. They were very clear in their advice with minimal jargon, and their expertise and experience were apparent to us.
Key clients
- BP
- DP World
- Experian
- Royal Free NHS Trust
- UK Finance
Work highlights
Advising DP World on its digital payments initiative, specifically its creation of a stablecoin.
Lawyers
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Leading partners
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Next Generation Partners
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Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Peter Church
Practice head
Richard Cumbley
Other key lawyers
Georgina Kon; Greg Palmer; Julian Cunningham-Day; Ben Packer; Peter Church; Patrick O'Connell