Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP is a key port of call for clients seeking business-orientated data protection advice, with particular proficiency in data governance, privacy documentation, and regulation. Paula Barrett leads the practice and is the main contact for global compliance programmes and cross-border incident response management. Dave Hughes is a specialist in freedom of information matters, including contested data subject access requests. Lorna Doggett stands out for her work in privacy compliance for financial sector clients and in-depth pensions acumen. Karishma Brahmbhatt transferred from A&O Shearman in September 2025 and is an adept advisor on novel legislation implementation, such as the Data Use and Access Act 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- I find that Liz Fitzsimons is outstanding for her specialist knowledge, diligence, team leadership, and client handling.
- Availability, expertise, insight into the industry, understanding of my company's risk tolerance, value. Michael Bahar is an amazing partner to me and my team. His associates, including Pooja Kohli and Atiana Johnson, are among the best I've worked with.
- This team is superb. They provide clear support and advice, informed by the most current thinking. They understand the real-world applications of DP, privacy, and FOIA legislation and how this impacts data subjects, institutions, and other decision-making.
- Strong, quality lawyers in many key jurisdictions. Very agile team. Very good at managing budgets and scoping files. Tremendous talent in all aspects of data and privacy law.
- Paula Barrett: great leader, very knowledgeable, great business and strategic advisor.
- Paula Barrett is very quick to respond to matters.
- Eversheds has a very good presence globally with experts who are able to cover multi-country issues and deliver advice in a cohesive way.
- Karishma Brahmbatt is an expert in EU and UK data protection law and provides very considered practical advice. I really enjoy working with her; she is also very creative and thinks about the big picture and not just advising on narrow issues.
- In a single quarter, the Eversheds data protection, privacy, and cybersecurity team handled a remarkably broad and concurrent workload for us — strategic compliance advice, template development, complex DSARs, ad hoc DSAR support, security incident response, and AI governance — all delivered at pace. Their tiered DSAR outsourcing model adds further value, balancing cost-efficiency with appropriate senior oversight for complex cases. The team’s close collaboration with their employment practice also removes the coordination burden typically associated with cross-discipline matters, saving meaningful internal resources. They stood out for capacity, responsiveness, and the kind of seamless cross-practice integration that in-house counsel actually need.
- Dave Hughes - exceptionally can-do, pragmatic, and informed. Understands the imperfect world that most businesses exist in! Heather Farrell - Boote - considered, highly knowledgeable, and a pleasure to work with.
Key clients
- Specsavers
- National Grid
- Transport for London
- Thames Water Utilities Ltd
- Kering Group
- MicroStrategy
Work highlights
Advised a Web3 technology organisation on novel UK and EU data protection, Online Safety Act readiness, age assurance and platform governance issues arising from the development and operation of decentralised, consumer-facing digital platforms.
Successfully defended an organisation in an information law appeal before the First-tier Tribunal against allegations that it was a public authority subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
Advised a critical infrastructure operator on complex data protection, privacy and cybersecurity matters arising from the deployment of advanced customer-facing technologies, including data protection impact assessments, biometric data collection, cross-border data-sharing arrangements, and responses to individual rights requests.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Paula Barrett
Other key lawyers
Dave Hughes; Lorna Doggett; Karishma Brahmbhatt