Photo: Diego M. Radzinschi/ALM

Dentons has established a technology, media and telecommunications (TMT) practice in its Paris office.

The new practice will be headed by Christophe Fichet, formerly a partner at Simmons & Simmons. The team will also include former Simmons associate Adrien Morisse and another employee.

Christophe Fichet

Fichet advises clients on a range of TMT-related regulatory, corporate, transactional and litigation matters, particularly in relation to digital technology issues, such as data privacy, cybersecurity, blockchain and artificial intelligence. He is also involved in developing regulation of these areas. He regularly advises clients in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

He worked at Simmons & Simmons for nearly seven years as a partner and previously as counsel. Before that, he was a partner for two and a half years at Canadian firm Fasken Martineau DuMoulin. He has also worked at Gide Loyrette Nouel, Bird & Bird, and Coudert Brothers.

Alongside his practice, Fichet lectures on telecommunications and digital law at the University of Paris-Saclay and the University of Rennes 1, and has written a number of books and articles on the subject.

Morisse spent a year and a half with Simmons' TMT team, working on a range of transactional, compliance and litigation issues. He also worked at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe; White & Case; Bredin Prat; Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton; Bertin & Bertin; Ladoux & Associes; and Orange.

"France is among the most mature TMT markets in Europe, and we are delighted to have such a distinguished lawyer to take the helm of our TMT team in Paris," Igor Ostrowski, global co-head of the technology, media and telecommunications group at Dentons, said in a statement.  "Christophe's arrival will strengthen our practice and allow us to service telco clients across the continent."

Séverine Hotellier, managing partner of Dentons' Paris office, said Fichet's knowledge of the sector will complement the firm's global TMT group. She said his skills will also create synergies with the firm's intellectual property and technology, corporate and M&A, infrastructure and life sciences practices, as well as its France-Africa collaboration group.

Fichet said Denton's global reach will enable him to further develop his practice and serve clients.

No one from Simmons was immediately available to comment on the moves.

Earlier this month, Dentons expanded its operations in Germany, hiring a compliance partner there. And last month, the firm appointed Italy's managing partner Federico Sutti to its global board.

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