Technology Sector (International & Cross-Border) | Global

Baker McKenzie offers one of the most expansive and established international footprints in the legal industry, and its global reach is frequently referenced by multinational clients as one of its primary assets. The London office acts as an important hub of lawyers with international experience and expertise across multiple areas, offering a full-service scope. The law firm enjoys an excellent reputation for its international and cross-border capabilities, and is often praised for the smooth execution and collaboration clients experience across the firm's network.

Bird & Bird's London office has a longstanding and well-regarded focus on the technology sector, with lawyers across its leading IP, IT, data protection and outsourcing teams all offering significant international experience and an impressive track record of multi-jurisdictional matters for clients in the internet, e-commerce, fintech and other new technology services. The team's recent experience has seen it combine with the firm's overseas offices in Australia and across the EU to advise on global IP issues, buyouts and capital raising in the technology space.

DLA Piper hosts technology-focused lawyers across a number of areas which are key for technology-based businesses in London. It is renowned for global outsourcing and IT projects and has a good reputation for advice on data protection, corporate/M&A, private equity, IP and a range of contentious issues. London is noted as a key coordinator in DLA Piper's global technology group and can offer clients a vast geographic range. Typical work sees the practice representing global tech brands in business law matters throughout Europe, the USA and further afield.

Regarded as a highly capable global firm, CMS provides a comprehensive service to international clients in areas such as M&A, dispute resolution, banking and finance. The sector-oriented London team exhibits real strength advising clients from the energy, insurance, technology and life sciences spaces. Cross-border mandates are often coordinated from the UK, but the law firm also stands out for its excellent network of offices throughout continental Europe, which is strengthened by its presence in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Taylor Wessing has built an enviable reputation for handling international work related to regulated industries, and it is widely renowned for its focus on companies within the life sciences and technology sectors. London continues to act as the firm's main global hub, serving a wide range of multinationals involved in pharmaceuticals, biotech and software, as well as investors with a focus on those areas. The firm's international appeal predominantly revolves around Europe, largely due to the strength of its teams in London and Germany and strong capability for advising on IP issues and commercial contracts across its European platform. The firm has also established offices in the USA and across Asia.

Within the firm's wide-ranging, full-service practice, the London team handles a large number of matters involving technology issues, typically serving consumers of technology on regulatory, contractual and transactional aspects of tech solutions and the establishment of IT platforms. The law firm has also received numerous positive reviews from private equity and venture capital funds investing in the sector. IP and data protection are other important areas in which the firm can offer expertise. The geographic footprint of the firm's work in this area is also far-reaching, with recent work on IT matters in Africa, China and jurisdictions in the Middle East such as Saudi Arabia.

Recognised as one of the most internationally-focused firms in the UK, Linklaters offers an outstanding full-service practice in London, which is renowned for the quality of its international work throughout its wide-ranging scope of expertise. The London team holds an elite reputation for coordinating both transactional and contentious cross-border matters and often acts as the driving force behind strategic advice on global mandates. The law firm's distinguished global platform is also noted as a key attraction to clients, extending the firm's reach across Europe, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Africa and various emerging markets.

The law firm's appeal in technology work is built around the strength of its IT and outsourcing practice in the UK, which has proved adept at handling cross-border issues as well as a consistent flow of domestic work. It has also worked with international web services companies on complex, global regulatory matters, including 'right to be forgotten' privacy law cases and GDPR. The firm's strong client base in the banking sector has also seen the team handling issues relating to the use of data and web services in the financial sector.

A premier magic circle law firm with a highly integrated network of international offices, A&O Shearman’s London team is frequently identified as a standout choice to coordinate cross-border work. Offering a well-developed, full-service platform which offers consistent quality across numerous practice areas and sectors, the London office fulfils a significant role as the firm’s central hub within its diverse global network. On 1st May 2024, Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling merged to form A&O Shearman.

Hogan Lovells represents international clients across its full-service scope, providing an excellent cross-border service for a range of contentious, transactional and regulatory work. The London team remains a central contributor to the firm’s worldwide success, and it is particularly revered for its outstanding expertise in international dispute resolution. The team frequently coordinates cross-border work and has particularly close ties to the firm's European offices as well as forming an effective team with the firm's lawyers on other key jurisdictions throughout the USA, Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Africa.

The law firm's established presence in London is highly capable of leading cross-border work and it is frequently called upon by clients to coordinate cross-border advice across the EMEA region for technology-related businesses, particularly those at the intersection of tech innovation and the life sciences sector. Key strengths in data protection, regulatory compliance, IP and transactional capabilities in the venture capital space form an attractive package for clients involved in fast-moving technology sectors.

The law firm's typical approach is to offer teams with sector-specific multi-jurisdictional expertise to meet the needs of clients with global businesses. Technology and innovation is among the firm's six key industry specialisms, and London is specifically referred to in feedback as a key stronghold in coordinating cross-border matters related to IT, data and outsourcing. The firm's knowledge of the Indian and African markets is a strength, while good experience within fintech and blockchain issues is also repeatedly noted and is an important factor for the firm's large banking clientele.