Sidley Austin LLP‘s data law specialists deliver regulatory support to a cohort of international clients from a wide range of sectors, with particular experience in life sciences, tech, and FinServ. William Long leads the offering, combining privacy and cybersecurity expertise. Key member Francesca Blythe provides end-to-end data and cyber protection advice, from carrying out privacy impact assessments to handling due diligence in corporate deals. Eleanor Dodding brings essential contributions.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- Francesca Blythe is a pro - she delivers, is practical, and provides excellent client service.
- Deep expertise and practical advice for clients in the life sciences space, paired with excellent client service.
- This practice is distinctive because it genuinely wants to understand the client's business rather than operating at arm's length. What sets them apart is the breadth of their regulatory capability across data protection, cybersecurity, and AI regulation, combined with genuine multi-jurisdictional reach across the EU and UK. Their key strengths include: an ability to distill complex, evolving regulatory frameworks into practical, risk-based guidance; a collaborative working style that treats in-house counsel as partners rather than passive recipients of advice; and a willingness to deliver tailored training and upskilling.
- William Long stands out as a genuinely business-minded data protection lawyer. He has a remarkable ability to take highly complex privacy and cybersecurity issues and present them in clear, digestible terms that enable decision-making — not just flag risks but explain what to do about them. Matthias Bruynseraede is an exceptional associate who has deep technical knowledge of EU data, cyber, and AI laws combined with a hands-on, collegiate working style that makes him feel like part of the in-house team rather than an external adviser. He brings calm rigor to speedy projects.
- In addition to sharp legal minds, I really appreciate that Sidley empowers associates to meaningfully participate in the matters and involves them in client-facing interactions. That shows in how well the teams work together and the quality of the outcomes.
- The Sidley team is as sharp as they come, not only on the law but also on the practical implications of the advice for the business. They understand that the law is not just a quick analysis but an ongoing relationship with the real-world work of the client's business. Their knowledge and depth of expertise are unmatched.
Key clients
- Accelerant
- Live Nation
- Canyon Partners
- Verastem
- Qognify
- Fate Therapeutics
Practice head
William RM Long
Other key lawyers
Francesca Blythe; Eleanor Dodding