Stephenson Harwood enhances technology practice with two new partners

"Technology is a strategic priority area for the firm, and we continue to strengthen our reputation and expertise advising on cutting edge mandates," said Simon Bollans, partner and head of Stephenson Harwood's technology sector group. "Hiring Michael and Peter to lead our technology disputes and cyber practices reflects that focus and builds on our existing bench strength for local and international technology work in the corporate, commercial, intellectual property and data protection areas."

Michael brings more than 25 years international experience, specialising in technology and cyber-security disputes, including data breach claims. Over the course of his career he has represented clients from across the IT and technology sphere in contentious matters and renegotiations. He was previously a partner at Hausfeld, where he represented clients in relation to large-scale data breach cases and carried out work in the distressed IT project/digital transformation area.

Peter has spent more than a decade in the technology law space, having previously worked at Kemp Little, and joins the firm from Herbert Smith Freehills’ cyber and intellectual property teams. Peter specialises in cybersecurity, technology-focused intellectual property, and technology and IT dispute resolution. He represents clients in matters ranging from high-profile cyber incident response (including ransomware and nation-state incidents), technology and cyber related regulatory investigations, tech-patent and software disputes, and distressed IT project disputes and renegotiations.

"Cyber and data security are major risk areas in every industry and cyber breach response is a growing area that is often business critical for clients," said Ros Prince, co-head of Stephenson Harwood's commercial litigation practice. "The same is true of IT implementations and digital transformation: every organisation has them and they can easily go wrong leading to time and cost overruns and disputes. Michael and Peter bring important skills that not only complement our market leading regulatory investigations, commercial disputes and civil fraud teams, but also enable us to offer an end-to-end technology service."

Stephenson Harwood's commercial technology team provide a full range of legal services to businesses involved in the sector. The firm acts for clients including established technology companies, start-ups, and businesses in traditional (non-tech) sectors undergoing digital transformation of their business operations. The firm's lawyers provide support across the whole product and business lifecycle. In March, the firm will be expanding its market leading data practice, led by partner Katie Hewson, when two additional specialists join, reflecting the firm's ambitions to grow its technology group.

Stephenson Harwood’s award-winning and highly regarded international dispute resolution team advises on the full range of commercial disputes. The team represents clients in High Court litigation and international and domestic arbitration, co-ordinates proceedings in multiple jurisdictions, and advises on various regulatory and other investigations.