Leo is a Partner and Head of the William Fry Technology department and co-lead of the firm’s Technology, Data & Comms sector. He specialises in technology, data protection, commercial contracts, intellectual property and AI law, and is a senior member of the firm’s US Market and Inward Investment group and the firm’s Strategy Implementation Partner.
Technology and Digital Regulation. Leo advises domestic and multinational companies doing business in and through Ireland on their most critical technology projects, from large scale digital transformation programmes and IT and business process outsourcing to software licensing and development, cloud and SaaS arrangements, and the launch of new digital products and services. He advises on the procurement and deployment of AI systems and is at the forefront of the EU digital reform agenda, guiding boards and legal teams through the AI Act, DSA, NIS2 and the Data Act, and converting a fast moving regulatory landscape into practical compliance roadmaps. As a senior member of the firm’s Inward Investment group, Leo regularly advises US and other international technology companies establishing and scaling their European operations from Ireland.
Data Protection and Cyber. Leo advises many leading technology, sport, financial services and food and beverage companies on the full spectrum of data protection, ePrivacy and cyber security law. He designs and delivers GDPR compliance programmes on an Irish and global scale, and advises on privacy by design for new products and services (including AI), data driven marketing and cookies, data subject rights requests, and international data transfers, including Standard Contractual Clauses, transfer impact assessments and the EU-US Data Privacy Framework. Leo is regularly instructed in the immediate aftermath of cyber attacks and personal data breaches, advising on containment, notification obligations and regulator and stakeholder communications. He has extensive experience of engagements with the Data Protection Commission and other supervisory authorities, from pre-launch consultation on new technologies through to inquiries and enforcement, and advises boards and senior management on data governance and accountability, including the interaction of GDPR with NIS2 and the AI Act.
Intellectual Property. Leo advises across the full lifecycle of IP, from creation and protection through to commercialisation, licensing and enforcement. He counsels on and manages large multi-jurisdictional trade mark and design portfolios for leading global and Irish enterprises, and is a registered Irish and European Trade Mark and Design Attorney. He is highlighted in Chambers Europe 2026 for his expertise in Irish and EU trade mark law, frequently advising on brand protection, portfolio management, licensing and infringement mandates. Leo advises on IP and tax structuring, the IP aspects of M&A and technology transactions, and exploitation and licensing strategies, and has advised several “big tech” and social media companies on copyright, AI and other IP matters. His brand work for leading sports and food and beverage companies spans naming rights transactions, product launches, advertising clearance (including TV ads), parallel imports and brand enforcement.
Commercial Contracts. Leo is trusted by clients to structure, draft and negotiate their most complex and high value commercial and technology contracts. His experience spans outsourcing arrangements, master services and framework agreements, SaaS and product engagements, strategic partnerships, and traditional commercial arrangements including distribution, agency and warehousing. He also acts on major sporting sponsorships and naming rights agreements for leading brands and rights holders. Clients value his focus on commercial outcomes, structuring contracts around risk allocation, service levels, data and IP ownership, and exit, so that agreements work over their full lifetime and not just at signature.
Thought Leadership. Leo is a regular contributor of articles to publications and speaks at lecture programmes on a range of issues including AI, data protection, IP and commercial contracts. He is co-author of the Irish Chapter of the Artificial Intelligence Law Over Borders Comparative Guide 2022-2026.
