Sidley Austin has boosted its Brussels presence with the hire of a partner from Hunton & Williams.
Privacy and cybersecurity partner Wim Nauwelaerts has joined the firm’s global practice after almost six years at Hunton.
Nauwelaerts advises life sciences, tech and new media clients on all aspects of EU and international data protection and privacy compliance, including preparation for the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), data transfer strategies, data security and breach requirements, and compliance training.
Sidley global privacy and cybersecurity head Alan Raul said: “We have seen tremendous growth in our European data protection practice, which will continue as companies prepare for, and thereafter comply with, the GDPR.”
According to the latest information from The Lawyer’s Global 200 2017, this hire would bring the firm’s partner count in Brussels up to 10 in total, and makes Hunton’s partner numbers drop to just two.
Sidley first launched in Brussels in 2003, taking a team from legacy Hogan & Hartson (now Hogan Lovells) led by partner Richard Weiner and Belgian qualified Laurent Reussmann.
This hire is the latest in a series of laterals for the firm in Europe as it looks to bolster its presence in the region. Earlier this year, the firm raided Kirkland & Ellis twice for seven partner hires in Munich and six private equity partner hires in London.
