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Adtech

Adtech encompasses technology, privacy, advertising and competition issues. We guide our clients through this, offering pragmatic advice routed in our understanding of the technology.

 

The last few years have seen both significant technological change and also ever increasing regulatory scrutiny.

Our clients are both users and providers of advertising technology. They are publishers implementing a new consent management tool, advertisers looking to enhance their use of first party data and technology providers launching new data driven products and responding to regulatory enquiries.

With one of the most highly-regarded data protection practices in the world, together with our market-leading technology and advertising practices, adtech - which incorporates aspects of all three areas - sits at the very centre of Bristows’ expertise.

As a result, we can guide our clients through all the issues affecting their adtech projects, including getting to grips with the latest technological developments and innovations to help them achieve their goals in a compliant manner. Our work includes advising on data protection and competition related regulatory enforcement, commercial contracting, advertising regulation and brand safety issues.

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Publication

Read the latest Data Protection Top 10                                                                                                                                              publication below:

Key contacts

The depth of our expertise in the Adtech sector is matched by its breadth. We have specialists across all our practice groups, so we can support you whatever your legal requirements.

What others say

“Pragmatic approach to support the client needs.”

Legal 500 2025

“They don’t simply bill for the hours they’ve worked. Instead, they evaluate whether those hours were reasonable and whether we, as their client, have derived sufficient value from them. If they feel that the value delivered doesn’t align with the hours billed, they’re more than willing to adjust the fee to ensure our satisfaction.”

Legal 500 2025

“They possess an excellent understanding of our industry, and technology in particular, which sets them apart. While being a full-service law firm, they also embody the personalised attention and specialised expertise typically associated with boutique firms.”

Legal 500 2025

“Known for its life sciences, pharma and engineering expertise, the team at Bristows LLP is praised by clients for its depth of commercial knowledge and ‘impeccable service’. Wielding specialist proficiency in regulatory issues such as intellectual property rights, competition and tax law, and data protection, the group are able to handle the full range of commercial issues.”

Legal 500 2025

“They offer an excellent service – good and pragmatic/commercial legal advice coupled with good client-relationship management.”

Legal 500 2025

“Very good at the intersection of commercial and IP disputes – and a dynamic, friendly and efficient team.”

Legal 500 2025

“Great sector knowledge and technical legal know-how for traditional and new media.”

Legal 500 2025

“They provide a Rolls Royce service, working with the top barristers in the field to ensure a positive outcome for their client in litigation.”

Legal 500 2025

“Particularly strong on online publications where the firm has a wealth of technical expertise.”

Legal 500 2025

“The reputation management team at Bristows is exceptional. They are intensely focused, always practical, and have an excellent ability to keep an eye on the overall direction of travel of case while being right across the detail.”

Legal 500 2025

“One of the few firms with the ability to offer advice across the spectrum, from defamation to data privacy. They have a stellar data protection practice which is now supplemented with a genuinely excellent media and reputation management team.”

Legal 500 2025

“Highly responsive, with deep expertise in AI and the multiple complex product areas that intersect in counselling AI products.”

Legal 500 2025

“The TMT team is a market leader. As a team the market experience is exceptional across the board. But it is the positive and creative way in which this team works with the wider team which is exceptional. Everyone’s input is encouraged and valued such that clients feel involved but looked after. As everyone’s capabilities are allowed to flourish, across the team there is a focus on the commercial significance of the dispute but also on the legal niceties. The team have both the resources and skills necessary to manage substantial litigation and arbitration approaching such disputes with good humour, hard work and creativity.”

Legal 500 2025

“Excellent service with qualified staff who are always available. They are friendly and far superior to other law firms, always remaining focused on practical solutions rather than lengthy legal advice.”

Legal 500 2025

“They are commercial, organised and flexible. All team members are pleasant to work with.”

Legal 500 2025

“Bristows have executed all of our recent transactions flawlessly and provided impeccable advice.”

Legal 500 2025

“Great partner time and easy to work with.”

Legal 500 2025

“An extremely pragmatic team with a willingness to understand the key elements of the transaction for and adjust the way of working to make sure we could close the deal in the tight timing that we had available.”

Legal 500 2025

“Professional, always available, knowledgeable, and skilled.”

Legal 500 2025

“The team have both the resources and skills necessary to manage substantial litigation and arbitration, approaching such disputes with good humour, hard work, and creativity.”

Legal 500 2025

“Their IT and telecoms team is a market leader. Their market experience is exceptional across the board, everyone’s input is encouraged and valued such that clients feel involved, but looked after.”

Legal 500 2025

“They have a clear understanding of what our business wants to achieve and that underpins all their advice. They know when to involve the business stakeholders and are able to tailor their approach to that audience and suggest solutions that take key business drivers into account.”

Chambers and Partners 2024

“Bristows has a comprehensive IT practice with powerful resources for major commercial transactions and complex litigation. It advises many of the world’s leading technology companies, and also sophisticated blue-chip buyers of IT services. It is especially adept at providing counsel on the most current and cutting-edge issues in the technology space. Bristows houses experienced advisers on digital advertising and cloud computing matters.”

Chambers and Partners 2024

“Bristows is our go-to firm for any complex or high-value technology work. The team is accessible, responsive and incredibly knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with.”

Legal 500 2024

“Excellent legal skills, combined with a good sector knowledge and a hands-on approach, make Bristows a very useful resource.”

Chambers and Partners 2023

“Commercial awareness is definitely one of Bristows’ strong points. Team members’ prior in-house experience shows. It is great to receive advice that is commercially balanced and easily understood by all functions of our business.”

Chambers and Partners 2023

“Even in the event the requests were a bit outside of telecom regulations, the firm were able to assist with providing an exhaustive response to all enquiries. They always responded within the quoted review time and usually exceeded expectations.”

Chambers and Partners 2023

“All team members have very deep experience in different fields of expertise. They understand what kind of level of response a client needs before wasting money on long reports, which is very much appreciated. On top of this, they provide updates on UK case law that are very helpful.”

Chambers and Partners 2023

“They’re very commercial and good at dealing with clients.”

Chambers and Partners 2023

“Bristows has a comprehensive IT practice with powerful resources for major commercial transactions and complex litigation. It advises many of the world’s leading technology companies, and also sophisticated blue-chip buyers of IT services. It is especially adept at providing counsel on the most current and cutting-edge issues in the technology space.”

Chambers and Partners 2023