International law firm CMS is pleased to announce the appointment of Ben Gibson as a Legal Director in the Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) team, based in the firm’s Dubai office.
A commercial technology lawyer with experience in the UK and the UAE, Ben’s practice focuses on cross-border and domestic IT outsourcing, SaaS and licensing, data protection and emerging technologies. He acts on a wide range of IT projects and agreements, including multi-tower service procurements, software licensing and network service agreements. He has significant experience working with clients in the financial services, energy and healthcare sectors, and represents both public and private sector entities.
Ben also focusses on providing data protection and privacy advice to both regulators and regulated businesses. He notably acted for the Dubai International Financial Centre on the drafting of the DIFC Data Protection Law 2020.
Ben’s appointment follows the arrival of Victoria Noto who joined CMS in January 2021 as an associate in the TMT team in Dubai. Victoria specialises in media content including marketing and advertising, commercial and advisory work, consumer law, intellectual property, e-commerce and data protection. She also spent eight months on secondment with a Big Tech company, supporting on a range of legal issues in regard to the company’s high-profile smartphone and cloud gaming service product launches.
Karim Fawaz, partner at CMS, says: “The arrival of Ben and Victoria is testament to our ongoing commitment to serve our clients in the Middle East and to our efforts as a firm to offer clients distinguished TMT support. Their experience and strengths complement our existing team’s extremely well, reinforcing our capabilities with focus on data and digital content which are core to our clients’ digital transformation journey. We are pleased to welcome Ben and Victoria to the team.”
Ben was recognised by The Legal 500 EMEA 2020 as a ‘rising star’ in TMT while Victoria was listed as a ‘key lawyer’ in The Legal 500 UK 2021 for Media and Entertainment. Victoria was also named as one of the 10 most innovative junior lawyers in the UK in 2020 by The Legal Technologist.
On his appointment, Ben comments: “I am delighted to have joined the dynamic team at CMS where I am able to continue developing my practice. I expect that my experience will drive new opportunities for the firm, particularly in relation to IT outsourcing and data protection mandates.”
In regard to her move to CMS, Victoria says: “I am excited to have joined the TMT team at CMS. The firm offers me a great platform to further develop my skills in a sector that never fails to bring about unique challenges and opportunities, especially as the world becomes ever more digitalised.”
CMS’s award-winning TMT team has more than 300 lawyers globally, with experience spanning across all the firm’s sectors. The firm’s media and technology lawyers can advise clients on a full range of issues, including fintech, corporate, IP, commercial, data privacy and security, AI, employment and disputes. CMS’s client list includes many of the industry’s leading names, as well as many exciting new companies. Backed by CMS equIP, the firm’s accelerator programme for IP-rich start-ups which now numbers over 100 global members, CMS is now also one of the leading players in the technology start-up scene.
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