England - London • Risk advisory
4

Data protection, privacy and cybersecurity

Stephenson Harwood

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Under the leadership of the ‘standout’ Katie Hewson, the data protection team at Stephenson Harwood advises tech sector clients on emerging data protection legislation and also handles international data transfers, breach work, and investigations. Simon Bollans advises on cybersecurity as well as the data privacy and regulatory aspects of emerging technologies. Michael Bywell and Peter Dalton joined in early 2023 from Hausfeld & Co LLP and Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, respectively, strengthening the team’s technology disputes and cyber capabilities. ‘Vastly talented’ associate Olivia Fraser is recommended for her experience advising on the data aspects of corporate transactions.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Katie Hewson. She is a very knowledgeable, pragmatic lawyer. In terms of the limited instructions given to her so far I have found her work very business orientated and solution focused.’

  • ‘Stephenson Harwood is our go-to law firm for data protection matters. They set themselves apart from the competition through deep technical knowledge combined with a strategic approach which empowers the business.’

  • ‘Katie Hewson is a force! She is a strategic legal advisor with deep knowledge of data protection law, and consistently provides practical, actionable advice for her clients.'

  • 'Olivia Fraser is a vastly talented associate from the data protection team -- smart, efficient, strategic, and such a pleasure to work with. Olivia seamlessly ties her deep technical knowledge with business savvy, making her an indispensable advisor to the business.’

  • ‘The team has been incredibly helpful and practical in managing bespoke privacy issues, including related to DSARs, complaints, incidents, and interpretations of regulations. They never simply restate the law, but always provide context and thoughtful approaches on a way forward.’

  • ‘Katie Hewson has been wonderful to work with. She gives very specific and practical guidance to help manage our privacy program and always considers the nuances specific to our firm.’

  • ‘Katie Hewson is standout - excellent technical expertise and commercial mindset.’

  • ‘Katie Hewson and Olivia Fraser have particularly stood out for their technical expertise, understanding of business and market and delivery of pragmatic advice on novel issues.’

Key clients

  • Kroll
  • Exscientia
  • Bvlgari
  • S&P Global
  • Neuberger Berman Europe Limited
  • Association of British Investigators

Work highlights

  • Advised an industry body on the development of a UK GDPR code of conduct.
  • Advised on an industry-wide digital transformation project in the benefits sector, involving complex data sharing arrangements.
  • Advised a global insurance, risk and consulting business on the high-risk data protection aspects of a £7.0 million acquisition.

Lawyers

Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Katie Hewson
Stephenson Harwood
Katie leads the firm’s data protection practice. She has significant experience advising clients across a variety of sectors, including retail, transport, financial services, analytics and life sciences. She holds AI Governance Professional (AIGP), Fellow of Information Privacy (FIP), Certified Information Privacy Professional Europe (CIPP/E) and Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM) accreditations from the International Association of Privacy Professionals. Recently awarded "Privacy Leader of the Year: Legal" (PICASSO Privacy Awards 2022), Katie is recognised as a Next Generation Partner for data protection, privacy and cyber security by The Legal 500 UK 2023, in which she is described as “a valued advisor in relation to EU and UK GDPR matters”. She is also ranked as an Up and Coming Lawyer for data protection and information law in the Chambers and Partners UK 2023 Guide, which states she "has excellent technical knowledge and provides clear, practical advice". Katie has extensive experience leading international GDPR compliance projects and also advises on data protection contracts, transparency issues, international personal data transfers, data sharing, cyber security and personal data breaches. She also advises a variety of clients on direct marketing, ad tech, social media and cookies issues under the e-privacy regime. Katie has also acted for clients facing ICO enforcement action on potential data protection and freedom of information law breaches, winning successful outcomes for her clients in relation to subject access requests, breach reporting and FOIA requests. She has helped clients with the data protection impacts of Brexit and coronavirus and has also advised on the complex legal issues in facial recognition, AI and profiling. Katie is a member of the International Network of Privacy Law Professionals, a not-for-profit international network of qualified professionals providing expert counsel on legal and compliance issues relating to data privacy and associated matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Katie Hewson

Other key lawyers

Olivia Fraser, Simon Bollans, Michael Bywell, Peter Dalton

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