Dr. Christian Schröder

Dr. Christian Schröder heads Orrick's IP/IT & Data Privacy Practice Group in Germany in Orrick’s Düsseldorf Office. Christian advises medium sized (Mittelstand) companies to large multinationals on IP, Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices, E-Commerce, IT and Data Privacy/Data Protection.

He is listed in Germany's leading lawyer ranking magazine JUVE as frequently recommended data privacy expert and clients recommend him to JUVE for his "reliable and actionable advice". Christian and his practice are also ranked by The Legal 500 Germany and The Legal 500 EMEA as well as Germany’s business journals WiWo and Handelsblatt for being among the leading German and European IT and data privacy practices (2019 and 2020), clients referred to him and his team as "Top data privacy expert", "extremely knowledgeable", and "able to explain complex legal issues in an easily understandable way so that both legal and economic decisions can be made". Christian Schröder is recommended for his "data protection expertise and quick comprehension as well as his entrepreneurial acumen."

• Engagements

  Recent Engagements:

  Data Privacy / Cybersecurity

  • GDPR Compliance Programs: Advising various mid to large sized multinational companies on GDPR compliance, understanding international data flows, drafting data sharing agreements, setting up compliance structure and privacy-by-design programs, assisting with Privacy Impact Assessments, and revising data privacy policies. Some of these clients are among the worldwide leading technology companies.
  • Data Processing Agreements: Representing market leading Cloud providers in negotiations of data processing agreements with large customers.
  • Connected Cars: Advising global tech companies and car manufacturers on data privacy implications with Connected Cars and on international data transfers.
  • IoT: Advising leading real estate company on smart home project, advising leading tool manufacturer on implementing IoT and related cloud services for its customers.
  • International Data Transfer Mechanisms: Developing and implementing enterprise-wide compliance programs, including (online) customer and employee privacy policies, cookie compliance, terms of service, and end user licensing agreements relating to core privacy and related consumer-protection issues.
  • International Investigation: Advising a leading vendor on internal investigation of a leading public organization involving various jurisdictions.
  • Employee Monitoring and Works Council Agreements: Advising several global companies in connection with the implementation of employee monitoring schemes and cross-border data flows, international transfer (both intra-group transfers and third-party transfers) of employee data from countries outside of Europe to a service provider in Europe (and vice versa) and, developing a global HR data privacy approach; drafting and representing clients in works council agreements relating to the implementation and use of IT applications.
  • Representation before Supervisory Authorities: Representing a global event organizer in supervisory procedures regarding data privacy matters.
  • Vendor Data Processing Agreements: Advising several global tech companies on tailored data processing agreements which include cloud services with various sub-processors.
  • Data Privacy and E-Commerce: Advising several international companies on data privacy and e-commerce law matters, inter alia on using personal data for direct marketing, and collecting and using personal data in the online environment.
  • Travel and Ed-Tech Data Privacy: Advising leading travel and Ed-Tech companies on data privacy issues specific to their businesses.
  • Advising Tech Start-ups on Data Privacy: Advising numerous mid-sized start-ups from the U.S. and Germany regarding IT and data privacy matters, i.e. to develop marketable products and services that align with consumer privacy and data protection principles. Also, drafting privacy policies, terms and conditions, and vendor contracts, as well as evaluating cutting-edge and disruptive technologies and businesses on privacy compliance and consumer protection concepts.
  • Cybersecurity and Data Breach Incident Plans: Counseling major computer software companies on Cybersecurity and incident plans.
  • Strategic Cloud Computing Advice: Providing strategic advice to key cloud computing market players in relation to data protection and information security issues.
  • Post-M&A Integration Issues: Integrating a German affiliate into the group's internal data sharing/access schemes and, in this context, conducting challenging negotiations with IT providers and the affiliate's works council (Betriebsrat).

  Information Technology

  • IT Licensing: Advising leading U.S. software manufacturer and Cloud services providers on their EU and German software licensing terms & conditions and regularly conducting negotiations with their customers.
  • Software Joint Venture: Advising a leading German market platform on a Joint Venture with a software manufacturer.

  Unfair Trade and IP

  • Unfair Trade Practices Litigation: Representing several software and e-commerce companies in unfair competition litigation, e.g. regarding unfair advertising and breach of consumer protection regulations.
  • Trademark Prosecution and Litigation: Advising various small to large national and international companies on trademark prosecution and litigation.

  M&A Technology/Joint Venture Transactions

  • Advising Deutsche Telekom on a Joint Venture with Carl Zeiss AG regarding Smart Glasses
  • Represented Macquarie in the acquisition of IDAGIO.
  • Advised on Northzone’s acquisition of Outfittery.
  • Represented Northzone in the acquisition of Lesara.
  • Advised Anterra on the acquisition of IP & R&D provider LemnaTec.
  • Advised on Nanosaar’s acquisition of Pritidenta.
  • Represented TVM Capital Life Science in the acquisition of Leon Nanodrugs.
  • Advised GEA on Acquisition of Grundfos-Group’s Sanitary Pumps Division.
  • Represented Weaveworks Ltd. in the acquisition of Cello.
  • Advised on Two Financings in Germany.
  • Advised Ironman on the purchase of branch of Lagardère.
  • Advised RLG on implementation of new financing structure.
  • Orrick advises TCV on Investment in SuperVista - One of Germany's Largest VC Financings in 2016.

  Other

  • Christian assists several representative clients, including Flexera Software, Microsoft, NVIDIA, Mouser Electronics, TTI, and SIG Combibloc.