The privacy and data team at Shoosmiths LLP is seen by its clients as ‘one of the best kept secrets in the London market’. Practice head Sherif Malak is ‘beyond dedicated to his craft’, and has a strong focus on mandates with a nexus to the technology sector. Many of the group’s practitioners receive regular instruction to act as external data protection officers, including Nick Holland and Hamish Corner. Lately, the department has been increasingly focusing on the contentious side of its data work.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'The team is highly skilled and capable with excellent global knowledge of privacy laws which is extremely useful.'
  • 'Very good client manner and able to easily adapt to circumstances.'
  • 'The Shoosmiths data privacy team, headed up by Sherif Malak, is one of the best kept secrets in the London market. Their quality of advice, pragmatism, and level of client-focus is unparalleled. They can advise on everything from DPAs up to complex binding corporate rule arrangements and huge CRM onboardings. I simply wouldn't go anywhere else for data privacy advice.'
  • 'The team is full of brilliant lawyers with a truly diverse background.'
  • 'Sherif Malak is, in my eyes, probably one of the best privacy lawyers in Europe. He is beyond dedicated to his craft, pragmatic, passionate about what he does, and incredibly down to earth.'
  • 'Adam Fox's extensive in-house experience gives him a unique lens through which he can pick up on problems AND solutions that no one else would think of.'
  • 'Really lovely team, good client service and a solid team of lawyers working in data protection.'
  • 'Good understanding of our business and adopt a solution-orientated approach.'

Key clients

  • Global Switch
  • Volkswagen Group UK
  • EG Group
  • Hilton Grand Vacations
  • Gopuff
  • Stonegate Pub Co
  • The White Company
  • Nissan Motor Co.
  • Sosei Heptares
  • Motorway
  • Close Brothers
  • Krispy Kreme
  • Charles Tyrwhitt

Work highlights

  • Advised Stonegate Pub Company on all the data and privacy aspects of its launch of a new VIP digital loyalty platform app, which provides information about the group’s 850+ managed venues.
  • Instructed as lead global privacy counsel to Hilton Grand Vacations in relation to several data protection projects arising out of a demerger and acquisition.
  • Appointed as outsourced global data protection officer for EG Group.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Sherif Malak

Other key lawyers

Matthew MacLachlan, Adam Fox, Nick Holland, Hamish Corner, Kate Brimsted