About Me

I'm a technology, copyright and data protection lawyer. My ambition is to provide the best and most suitable advice to clients and, in particular, to guide them through their technology transactions, IT and data projects in a pragmatic, solution-driven and innovative manner.

As co-head of our international Technology & Communications Group and head of our German Data Protection Group, I divide my time between our Frankfurt and Düsseldorf offices. I specialise in technology, digital media, cloud computing, copyright and data protection law and advise providers and customers in technology transactions, IT projects, data protection matters and copyright issues. I also draft and negotiate complex commercial contracts, and advise on IT law as well as on contractual and regulatory issues of digitalisation and cyber security. I particularly focus on issues arising from the use of new technologies and business models, such as cloud and data driven projects, IoT, AI and machine learning, and other issues of the digital transformation.

I'm recommended by the leading directories (such as Chambers, JUVE, LEGAL500, MIP and Who's Who Legal) for my expertise in technology, data protection and copyright law. Together with only four other lawyers, Legal 500 Germany have listed me as one of the leading data protection lawyers in Germany for each year since the beginning of its ranking in 2018.

In addition to my work as an editor of the Cloud Computing Legal Guidebook "Niemann/Paul", I often speak and am interviewed on technology, cloud, digital transformation, data protection and copyright topics.
Experience
  • My clients include leading and innovative IT and technology-driven companies such as Dexcom, Flir Systems, Lenovo, Lexmark, Mozilla, Nuance Communications, SAP and Western Digital, major global brands such as adidas, SAP, three other DAX 30 companies, Kempinski, PPG, leading German and global financial institutions, a subsidiary of the German government, the German ITC industry association BITKOM as well as tech start-ups.
Education

Studied

  • Legal studies in Bonn
  • Doctoral thesis on 'Copyright and Electronic Publishing' at the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn and the Institute for Advanced Legal Studies in London
  • Legal clerkship in Cologne, Speyer and Honolulu, Hawaii

Admissions

  • Admitted to the German bar in 1998
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Testimonials

Leading individual in the field of Data Protection; „He quickly understands the corporate context and brings a level of realistic pragmatism that we have not found in any other European lawyer. He provides effective and timely support"; "Bird & Bird, in particular Fabian Niemann, is in our opinion the best support in Europe and we do not work with any other firm"; "Fabian Niemann and in general Bird & Bird is absolutely leading in IT in Germany"; "Fabian Niemann is considered the 'go-to lawyer for European matters'"; "noteworthy are his personal availability, his holistic approach, his high level of expertise and in general his pleasant nature when working together"; "an 'excellent lawyer, ready to take a stand and vehemently defend his view'"; "much appreciated for his interdisciplinary expertise"; "known for his commitment to regulatory issues pertaining to social media, IT security and data protection"

Legal 500 Data Protection, IT & Outsourcing 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022

recommended in the field of IT; „Very service-oriented, innovative, proactive"; "unbeatable for international data protection projects"; "pragmatic and innovative"; "very fast grasp"; "good practitioner, very goal-oriented"; "unbeatable"; "strong specialist knowledge, very high quality, very analytical"; "very pragmatic, fast and effective"

JUVE for IT and Data Protection 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022

Leading individual in the field of Data Protection; „Sources highlight Fabian Niemann as a 'data privacy' expert"

Chambers Europe 2022

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