Ian De Freitas
Partner
Ian has nearly 35 years' experience as a commercial litigator. He specialises in disputes involving data, technology and intellectual property. Ian leads the firm’s Data, IP and Technology Disputes team. Ian’s sector experience includes retail, hotels and leisure, financial services, technology, betting and gaming, sport, media and publishing, education and private wealth.
In relation to data, Ian helps clients dealing with cyber-security attacks; he assists them in responding to regulators and individuals about non-compliance with data privacy requirements; and he handles claims against third parties when data has been misused or taken, for example by former employees.
Regarding technology, Ian handles disputes arising where technology outsourcing contracts have encountered problems. He also deals with disputes about software licences and infringement of computer source code.
In relation to intellectual property, Ian’s work focuses on brands, in particular trade mark infringement claims and domain name disputes. He also deals with a wider range of copyright and database rights disputes.
Ian is increasingly working on mandates relating to Generative AI, drawing on his decades of experience in the three core underlying areas of data, IP and technology.
Much of Ian's work has a cross-border element. He has a wide network of professional and business relationships with lawyers around the world. These close relationships help him manage multijurisdictional issues for his clients.
