Katie is an experienced data and technology lawyer, specialising in data privacy, cybersecurity, digital regulation and technology transactions.
Katie advises clients on a range of data-related issues, including data protection compliance, international data transfer requirements, advising on compliance with cookie laws and direct marketing rules and advising clients on their responses to regulatory investigations led by data protection and consumer authorities. In parallel, Katie advises on large scale technology projects, including advising clients in distress situations and on the renegotiation of IT contracts.
Katie's particular focus and interest is how the development of emerging technologies intersects with data privacy. Katie leads the firm's emerging technologies group and chairs the SCL's IT Disputes Committee. She is also passionate about mentoring and the development of other women in technology, having established a digital-focussed mentoring scheme while at WBD.
Experience
Examples of experience include advising:
- A UK financial institution in relation to a major IT Transformation and Service Delivery Project, including drafting a negotiating a full IT outsourcing agreement for all of the client's infrastructure management, application support and maintenance, development and end-user services
- A leading UK energy company in relation to a number of large scale data protection projects, including the adoption of AI technologies within the business and the implementation of energy saving events contributing towards the organisation's net zero aims
- An eCommerce software company in relation to its deployment of tracking technologies, including recommended changes the company needs to make to in relation to (1) its deployment of cookies; and (2) how it contracts with its customers to ensure compliance with GDPR/PECR
- A US based tech company on responding to a data security incident involving the hacking of its customer data bases, including advising in relation to claims from individuals and advising in relation to ongoing regulatory investigation from UK and US regulators
- A national organisation in relation to a potential cybersecurity incident involving the hacking of its CRM system, including liaising with the ICO. The ICO concluded its investigation and determined that no regulatory action was required against the client
- A telecoms provider in relation to a potential risk of a group litigation, including providing strategic advice on managing this risk
- A global energy provider in relation to a business critical IT dispute, including successfully renegotiating the future scope of work and achieving a settlement of historic issues
- A UK based eCommerce Software and Digital Marketing Agency in relation to the early termination of an IT contract.
"Katie Simmonds is knowledgeable, dynamic and responsive."
Legal 500
“When our CRM supplier informed us of a cyber incident, which could have affected our data, last December, my heart sank. The press and internet are full of horror stories and I was worried how this would affect our business. I immediately instigated our cyber incident process by contacting our insurers. They quickly put me in contact with Katie and her team at Womble Bond Dickinson. From the first conversation, my fears were allayed and the experts stepped in. Having a team working with our IT, Supplier and ensuring our data was safe meant I could sleep at night. Although, it was ascertained that no breach had been found, WBD continued to work with cyber experts to make sure that every aspect was covered. Thank you Katie, you made a potentially disastrous and highly stressful situation much easier to deal with. I can’t stress enough how glad I was to have this cover, it really made a world of difference.”
Client testimonial
