The ‘practical, commercially driven and tech-savvy’ team at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP runs the gamut of contentious and advisory data protection matters. The practice’s expertise is underscored by its frequent handling of major data privacy mandates for Google. Assisting multinationals undertaking large-scale digitalisation projects with GDPR compliance is another area of strength. Alexandra Neri heads up the cohort and wins plaudits for her ability to assist clients in cyber crime-related disputes. She is described as forming a ’complementary duo’ with Sébastien Proust, a practitioner who is well versed in a slew of internet law issues such as the right to be forgotten and the digitalisation of books. Robin Nini and Antoine Sullice are further key contacts in the Paris office.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘A good team that handles advisory and litigation work, which is not very common.’

  • ‘Competent, understands the needs of clients, and very committed. It is one of the best teams in the data privacy space.’

  • ‘Alexandra Neri and Sébastien Proust are a very complementary duo - Alexandra is a strategist and Sébastien masters all the workings of French and European data protection law. Antoine Sullice is also very involved.’

  • ‘Practical, commercially driven, tech savvy and up to date with regulations and jurisprudence.’

  • 'Alexandra Neri is an expert in her subject and has very good knowledge, in addition to litigation skills.'

Key clients

  • Google
  • Expedia Group/Homeaway

Work highlights

  • Assisting Google in several ongoing disputes in respect of the listing of personal data in Google search results, and advising on a delisting in relation to copyright infringement.
  • Assisting several subsidiaries of the Expedia group (HomeAway and EG Rentals) with litigation against the Paris town hall council regarding Expedia's refusal to communicate user data for the purpose of penal inquiries.
  • Handling several disputes brought by professional individuals (including doctors, dentists and lawyers) regarding the personal data used in professional listings that appear in Google results.

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Alexandra Neri

Other key lawyers

Sébastien Proust, Robin Nini, Antoine Sullice, Suzanne Carayol