Women in Tech Law

Alison is the head of Biztech Lawyers’ UK office (other offices in the US and Australia). She is a senior technology and data protection lawyer with extensive past experience, gained in-house and at boutique IT/IP law firms. Skilled in drafting and negotiating commercial contracts, Alison has been praised in the legal directories for her deep knowledge of technology and the associated law. Clients value her pragmatic approach and willingness to help them make informed decisions, as much as her expertise. For two decades, Alison has also advised on data protection law, primarily in connection with the technology products that her clients provide. Now, as part of a global practice, she is increasingly providing EU/UK privacy advice to overseas businesses.

Rebecca is a barrister at 4 Pump Court, with a particular interest in technology and intellectual property. Recently she has been instructed on disputes involving bespoke software, defective IT systems and the use of a robo-advice model across a range of issues including data security, cyber security and intellectual property. Prior to joining 4 Pump Court, Rebecca worked at Dropbox’s European Headquarters, where her work focused on assisting clients in the large-scale deployment of cloud technology. She has published several articles on the topic of technology and the law in both national and international publications.

Abisola is a trainee solicitor at Taylor Wessing with a distinctive background in legal technology and innovation. Prior to starting her training contract, she spent several years developing award-winning digital products, automating legal processes, and leading strategic tech initiatives at two City law firms. Her experience spans legal practice, product development, and international education, having also worked abroad as an English teacher. She brings a unique perspective shaped by her commitment to access, inclusion, and efficiency in legal services. With a sharp eye for problem-solving and a love for transformation, she is passionate about the intersection of law and technology.

Fiona is the Global Privacy Counsel for Informa PLC, a FTSE 100 listed events, knowledge and technology solutions company, serving 20 specialist markets in over 30 countries. Fiona was previously a senior associate in the data protection team at Bristows LLP and before that worked at Linklaters LLP and DAC Beachcroft LLP.

Hannah’s practice covers a wide range of EU and UK data protection and privacy issues, including AI, adtech, “accountability”, data transfers, data subjects rights and direct marketing. She has particular experience in emerging technologies, helping clients find a pragmatic pathway to achieving legal compliance whilst still using data to innovate.

Her practice also includes a significant amount of contentious work, advising clients on managing personal data breaches and enforcement by the European data protection authorities. She has worked on many of the most high profile GDPR enforcement actions by the UK Information Commissioner’s Office and other EU data protection authorities, including the CNIL and Irish Data Protection Commission.

Hannah also advises extensively on the increasing intersection between privacy and other digital regulations, including competition and consumer law, the Digital Services Act, Digital Markets Act and Online Safety Act.

Dr Despina Chatzimanoli, LL.M. is Senior Legal Expert at the European Banking Authority (EBA), advising, among other topics, on fintech issues. Previously she worked for the EBA’s predecessor organisation, CEBS (Committee of European Banking Supervisors), and for the (then) UK Financial Services Authority (FSA) acting as coordinator for the FSA’s participation in the Basel Committee for Banking Supervision (BCBS). Prior to that, Despina worked for international organisations (EPLO, Athens; IDLO, Rome), a Greek publishing house (Nomiki Bibliothiki) and in private practice (in Greece).

Rachael is an Associate General Counsel at Meta. Rachael advises on cybersecurity, information security and investigations matters across the UK & EMEA. Prior to Meta, Rachael was an Associate in the Technology group at Baker & Mckenzie, where she advised on a wide range of legal matters and specialised in information security and data protection.

Rachael is focused on driving greater social mobility and equal access to opportunity in the legal sector.

Rachel Griffith is an Associate specialising in Data Protection and Technology at Foot Anstey. Rachel regularly advises clients on implementing and licensing tech solutions as well complex issues relating to tech and data privacy, such as the use of AI-powered facial recognition technology. As the former Chair of Business, Enterprise and Education on Bristol Junior Chamber’s Council of Management, Rachel organised a series of ‘In Conversation’ events, during which she facilitated panels with leading experts in the field of space and satellite technology, sustainability and the digital creative industries.

Rachel has been a member of SCL for 2 years and is delighted to be joining SCL’s WiTL Committee. In her new role, Rachel is looking forward to connecting with like-minded women with a passion for emerging technology and educating tech lawyers to enhance their practice. She is also keen to spark discussions in the wider SCL community about tech for social good, responsible AI and the environmental impact of technology.

Originally from Australia, Rachel values how integrated SCL is with the global tech law community. As a dual Australian-British citizen, Rachel hopes to contribute a unique perspective to SCL’s more international-facing events and initiatives.

Naomi specialises in advising on the legal and commercial aspects of transformational and technology projects across a number of sectors, including technology, financial services and insurance services. Naomi’s practice focuses on UK support (national and regional) and international support, working closely with the US on a number of critical technology projects.

Naomi’s experience is broad in the context of Tech & Sourcing and includes advising on supply agreements, cloud computing (SaaS, IaaS and PaaS), e-commerce, digital transformation, software development, data migration, IT outsourcing and BPOs, MVNOs, multi-vendor contracting, collaboration and licensing.

Naomi is co-chair of DLA Piper’s North-West Technology group and is a member of DLA Piper’s Women in Tech working group and AI working group.

Naomi is also ranked in the Legal 500 as a “Leading Associate” and Chambers as an “Associate to Watch” for her IT work.

Prior to joining DLA Piper, Naomi worked for DAC Beachcroft focussing predominantly on IT and technology projects across a number of sectors, including technology, financial services, insurance services and Government.

Sue is a partner in Baker McKenzie’s Technology group and the firm’s global tech lead for FinTech and Blockchain. Sue advises clients on technology, sourcing and digital media business models and deals, as well as the legal issues relating to the implementation of new technologies. Sue advises on a wide range of technology matters including outsourcing, digital transformation, technology procurement, development and licensing, m/e-commerce, cloud computing, AI, FinTech, blockchain, and data privacy. Sue is focused on driving greater gender diversity in the legal sector. She is on the Baker Women Executive Committee and a member of the Law Society Woman Lawyer’s Division working group. Sue is founder of the SCL Women in Technology Law group.

Elizabeth is a Senior Associate at the boutique commercial disputes firm, Cooke, Young & Keidan LLP. She has a broad practice and regularly represents high-net-worth individuals and corporate clients in technology, financial services and crypto disputes. She also has a wide advisory practice relating to all aspects of the law and regulation of cryptoassets, advising clients including exchanges on the application of UK regulatory requirements. She regularly writes and speaks about contentious technology issues.

Sarita is a Junior Lawyer at National Grid. She completed her training with National Grid via Flex Legal (‘Flex Trainee’). Sarita is interested in commercial law (general commercial, data protection, IP) in the AI and technology space. Sarita graduated from the University of Warwick with a degree in Sociology with Specialism in Technologies and Markets before joining the law, and has experience as a Regulatory Analyst at a crypto start-up. As part of her training, Sarita completed a six month secondment to DLA Piper LLP (from National Grid) to its IP/Technology team in Birmingham, where she gained exposure to how clients are considering AI Governance.

Sarita is passionate about social mobility and widening access to the legal profession.

Jana is a Senior Legal Counsel in the Global Privacy, Technology and IP team at dentsu. She advises the business on a range of complex legal issues, including tech development, cloud service contracting, software development and open source licensing. She has a particular interest in emerging tech like A.I. and Web 3.0. Jana also helps manage the dentsu international trade mark portfolio and advises on domain disputes and brand protection. Prior to joining dentsu, Jana was a lawyer in the Digital Business team at Simmons & Simmons where she advised clients on technology, outsourcing and commercial matters.

Jana is a strong advocate of greater representation in law and has contributed to several social mobility schemes and initiatives.

Anna is a senior lawyer with over ten years of experience in intellectual property and commercial matters. She trained with international law firm Womble Bond Dickinson, spent several years with a boutique London IT/IP law firm and subsequently moved to Mishcon de Reya, where she spent almost five years as an intellectual property litigator.

Anna has worked with clients on all manner of intellectual property issues including brand protection, trade mark disputes and copyright licensing. She has managed complex disputes from their inception through to Court proceedings or settlement, including advice on litigation strategy and dispute resolution. Anna also drafts and negotiates contracts, with a particular emphasis on deals involving IP.

Anna has supported and represented clients in the technology sector throughout her career. She has worked extensively with high profile clients including Nintendo, helping them to secure a number of website blocking injunctions to prevent the dissemination of pirate games and consoles (one of which won Impact Case of the Year at the Managing IP EMEA Awards 2020). She has also worked with start ups, mid size businesses and everything in between.

Anna is praised by clients for her hard work and attention to detail, as well as her ability to offer creative and strategic solutions.

Aleksandra currently heads LawtechUK, Europe’s largest government-backed legal sector transformation programme, housing the UK Jurisdiction Taskforce. In addition to managing a wide portfolio of lawtech and techlaw projects, she is an advocate for interdisciplinary borderless collaboration in the tech ecosystem, and maintains an active academic practice spanning law, tech and philosophy as an adjunct professor at Liverpool University. Aleksandra is also a co-host of the Just Theory podcast, member of the Lawtech Sounding Board at the City of London, a Top 10 Lawyer in Legal Innovation (2020) and a Woman Who Will (2022).

Lizzie Williams is a dispute resolution partner and solicitor advocate at leading technology, media and entertainment law firm Harbottle & Lewis. Lizzie has particular expertise and experience in commercial disputes with a technology angle.

Lizzie advises on traditional IT disputes (involving hardware, software development, outsourcing and licensing) and disputes involving emerging technologies (including artificial intelligence, digital assets and blockchain). In addition, Lizzie advises on disputes arising out of cyber-attacks, disputes involving technology investments, technology procurement challenges and the management and resetting of distressed digital transformation projects.

Lizzie is recognised as a “Key Lawyer” in Commercial Litigation and Artificial Intelligence by The Legal 500 and a “Future Leader in Commercial Litigation” by Lexology. Lizzie is the author of the Practical Law Global practice note AI Disputes and Risk Mitigation and the book A Practical Guide to Smart Contracts and the Law.