Information Technology & Outsourcing | UK

Baker McKenzie's top-tier team is able to offer rounded advice to customers and service providers. It acts for household-name corporates and cutting-edge start-ups, drawing upon the firm's comprehensive understanding of the technical and commercial issues affecting businesses in all sectors of the economy. It frequently advises telecoms giants on IT arrangements vital to their operations. It is also well versed in handling contentious matters arising from disputes between suppliers and customers.

Bird & Bird is considered to be at the summit of commercial law as applied to science and technology. It draws upon bench strength from across multiple jurisdictions to advise on large-scale projects in industries such as retail, defence and financial services. It is particularly expert in the fields of data protection and communications. The team is highly recommended for digital transformation and the implementation of ambitious technology infrastructure projects.

Bristows has a comprehensive IT practice with powerful resources for major commercial transactions and complex litigation. It advises many of the world's leading technology companies, and also sophisticated blue-chip buyers of IT services. It is especially adept at providing counsel on the most current and cutting-edge issues in the technology space. Bristows houses experienced advisers on digital advertising and cloud computing matters.

CMS is particularly well regarded for work in the heavily regulated sectors of life sciences, healthcare, financial services and utilities, advising on matters such as software liability, big data and cloud hosting. The firm acts for sizeable global IT providers in addition to a range of substantial IT consumers. It is frequently instructed on high-value disputes. CMS has significant international reach enables comprehensive support on transformational projects for multinational businesses.

DLA Piper enjoys a deep bench of specialised lawyers able to perform strongly on a wide range of matters, including tech sector disputes and contentious negotiations, cloud computing and the IT implications of M&A transactions. A network of global offices ensures the firm is able to handle significant cross-border matters, and it is well placed to assist start-ups and early-stage companies with their growth strategies. It is also accomplished at helping established companies make technology-related efficiency gains.

Fieldfisher has a long-standing specialism in IT, advising on transactions involving cutting-edge technology and complex digital transformation projects. It acts for vendors, large public and private sector customers, and emerging technology, fintech, digital media and e-commerce companies. The firm has a substantial Silicon Valley presence which ensures ever greater access to cutting-edge developments in the field.

As a tech-focused firm, Osborne Clarke is engaged on a wide variety of IT projects, from advising on business-critical systems for small and medium-sized companies to providing counsel on cutting-edge start-up development. It also assists major technology companies with the development of new user-facing products. The team is noted for deep expertise in telecommunications systems. The team is one of the country's leading AI practices.

Ashurst has a high-powered team capable of handling all manner of systems procurement transactions, outsourcings, disputes and tech-led M&A. It is particularly active in the financial services, information technology and media sectors, and has a dedicated digital economy team which advises on the adoption of IT-driven business models.

Herbert Smith Freehills houses a superb technology litigation outfit, complemented by commercial support for large multinationals on IT and telecoms procurement, outsourcing and product development. The firm advises suppliers and customers in the financial services, energy and public sectors, among others. Further, it is deeply invested in helping emerging businesses and their investors bring their technologies to market.

Latham & Watkins' London-based, global-facing tech practice has the resources to handle complex global commercial and litigation matters across the full span of IT issues. The team is noted for expertise in relation to outsourcing, cybersecurity, data regulation and fintech. Notable for recent work in the developing areas of cryptocurrency and electronic trading. Its practitioners are renowned for being leading advisers on M&A transactions concerning tech companies.

Linklaters boasts a full-service offering, combining a dynamic technology practice with magic circle financial services and capital markets expertise. Linklaters has extensive knowledge of IT systems, as used by retailers, energy companies and government departments. The team is able to offer comprehensive advice on the regulatory and legislative environment surrounding new technologies.

Pinsent Masons advises multinational companies from a wide range of sectors on commercial and contentious technology matters. The department's areas of expertise include cloud, big data, fintech and telecoms matters. The team is also noted for major public sector IT contracts as well as for expertise in the insurance and banking sectors.

A&O Shearman's technology team has a deep understanding of IP issues as they relate to IT. It is also recommended for advice on the treatment and structure of IT arrangements in mergers and acquisitions. Its clients include both high-profile tech sector service providers and companies operating in sectors such as fintech, retail and insurance.

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner advises customers and vendors of complex technology services, often on cutting-edge cloud, fintech and data telematics technology. The firm is highly active in technology-driven capital markets and corporate deals. It has particular sector expertise in financial services, healthcare, transport and utilities, and also the IT services industry itself. The team also handles weighty disputes in the sector.

Deloitte Legal represents clients in a variety of technology disputes and transactions. The team assists emerging tech companies with the legal aspects of product development, service providers with contract reviews and renegotiations and major corporates with the procurement of the latest systems. The practice benefits from international resources and a substantial base of high-profile corporate and technology sector clients.

Dentons has a highly regarded technology group, with the capacity to handle all manner of IT matters, including ambitious outsourcing projects and data protection strategies. Its key clients are drawn largely from the energy, financial services, TMT, and retail sectors. The team also acts for government organisations on significant outsourcing and procurement matters.

Milbank is renowned for its representation of global corporates in the acquisition of new technology systems and services and in litigation. The firm maintains a nationally and globally recognised outsourcing practice. The team at Milbank has extensive experience in heavily regulated sectors, such as financial services and pharmaceuticals, but is also highly knowledgeable on the IT requirements of clients in many other industries.

Morrison Foerster has a well-established technology practice complemented by a global platform able to advise on the full range of IT issues. The team is particularly expert on the regulatory issues surrounding technology in European markets, as well as licensing arrangements of all kinds. Morrison Foerster advises emerging as well as established technology companies. Its key customer clients include logistics companies and manufacturers.

Norton Rose Fulbright is noted for a strong combination of expertise in technology law and the industries in which its clients operate. The team is recommended for advice on complex outsourcing deals and recent developments, such as fintech, mobile payments and the Internet of Things. The team has extensive involvement in M&A and investment in the technology sector, handily supported by its growing bench strength on the US West Coast.

RPC has a sizeable technology group which handles advisory and contentious matters. The team assists with data, licensing and intellectual property issues arising from tech transactions, as well as disputes between IT consumers and suppliers. It acts for suppliers and customers, with corporate clients drawn from a wide range of sectors, particularly high technology, sports gambling and social media. The team advises prominent BPO service providers and e-commerce companies.

Slaughter and May's technology group is renowned for complex outsourcings, business mergers and acquisitions, and joint ventures between innovator companies and corporates concerned with the development of apps and products, such as digital payment platforms. The team also advises central government departments and financial services institutions on major IT projects. Slaughter & May houses experienced advisers on data analytics and AI.

Taylor Wessing's celebrated technology practice is able to handle the most ambitious IT-led business transformation and outsourcing projects. The department is highly experienced in helping start-ups, growth-stage and 'unicorn' companies as they seek to develop and commercialise cutting-edge technologies. The firm is noted for activity in sophisticated market segments such as automotive, gaming and fintech.

Addleshaw Goddard is particularly recognised for its strong fintech practice, drawing upon the firm's wider expertise in banking and finance, as well as a technology team with significant strength at associate and partner level. The team advises on the procurement and implementation of a range of technology, including telecommunications, data storage and cloud services. It is also active in online gaming, retail, energy and infrastructure.

Clifford Chance is celebrated for its combination of corporate and commercial resources with up-to-the-minute technology expertise. The firm is recommended for system and service agreements of all kinds, for IT restructuring projects and also for matters relating to M&A and data protection. The team leverages its deep experience to assist a variety of companies, ranging from financial services, energy to automotive clients.

Harbottle & Lewis serves global brands in media, entertainment, financial services and IT on technology licensing, regulatory compliance, contentious renegotiations and corporate fundraising. The firm has notable strengths in providing AI advice to clients, such as with the licensing and implementation of machine learning models. The team also leverages its commercial expertise to negotiate complex partnerships between buyers and providers of technology.

Hogan Lovells advises on the full range of commercial and contentious technology matters, such as outsourcing, IP liability, agile software development and big data. The team is also recommended for expertise in data security, fintech and e-commerce. Its impressive client base consisting in large part of financial services institutions and fast-growing tech companies.

Jones Day is a go-to firm for contentious technology matters. The firm represents a range of clients in contract disputes, terminations and renegotiations between customers and suppliers. The team also offers non-contentious expertise and advises clients on cybersecurity.

Lewis Silkin has recognised strengths advising clients on commercial, sourcing and transactional technology matters. The firm guides clients across matters ranging from IP and SaaS licensing to digital transformation projects. It also represents clients in technology contract disputes.

Mayer Brown International LLP represents financial and professional services clients in a broad range of technology matters. They offer strong expertise in commercial and outsourcing matters, such as facility management, framework and licensing arrangements. The team is also able to advise on up-to-date technologies such as generative AI, and guiding clients through evolving regulatory frameworks.

The technology group at Mishcon de Reya specialises in assisting clients with transactions relating to cutting-edge technologies, including cloud solutions and blockchain. The team brokers complex agreements with key suppliers and customers all the way through to drafting terms and conditions to be rolled out to customers.

Reed Smith is a full-service firm with technology law forming a key part of its overall offering. The tech team acts for buyers of IT services in financial services, life sciences, media, entertainment and executive search, as well as many of the world's leading tech companies. The team is also recommended for advice on data protection and up-to-the-minute knowledge of virtual reality technology.

Simmons & Simmons has superlative expertise with regard to the financial sector, acting on major IT transactions for asset managers, investment funds and banks. Its team has extensive experience providing assistance with licensing and service agreements, as well as on multijurisdictional procurement projects. It also advises clients in a range of industries, most notably telecommunications and consumer electronics.

Stephenson Harwood's renowned technology practice draws clients from financial services, healthcare and transport, as well as IT companies providing specialist services to those sectors. It houses a team which is experienced in handling corporate and capital markets transactions occurring in the technology sector. Stephenson Harwood's global platform facilitates the smooth implementation of complex projects spanning multiple jurisdictions.

Travers Smith has a wide-ranging technology practice which encompasses regulatory and transactional work for both suppliers and customers. Its recent experience includes advising retailers and online businesses on the implementation of business-critical systems, and the treatment of IT arrangements in M&A transactions. Travers Smith's team has also acted on substantial data protection reviews and other compliance-related projects.