Norton Rose Fulbright has hired digital regulation partner Joanna Conway into its London office, from Deloitte Legal.
Conway (pictured) returns to NRF after nearly six years at Deloitte. She previously worked at NRF for nearly 16 years, leaving in 2019 as an of counsel to join Kemp Little as a partner.
Kemp Little was later acquired by Deloitte, where Conway has spent the last five years in the TMT practice. She specialises in digital risks and internet law and regulation, and advises on a range of issues including harmful and illegal content, rights to free speech, AI, and deepfakes.
On her move, Conway said: ‘Returning to Norton Rose Fulbright felt like a natural next step. Having trained and practised here earlier in my career, I know first-hand the strength of the firm’s culture, client relationships and collaborative approach. The firm has real depth in technology and a fantastic track record in regulated sectors such as financial services. As digital becomes increasingly regulated, those skills and experience can be brought to bear for clients.’
She continued: ‘Since leaving, I have had the opportunity to build and lead a digital regulation practice and work at the forefront of some of the most significant regulatory developments affecting technology businesses. Bringing that experience back to the firm at this stage of my career was a very compelling proposition.’
‘Joining as a partner also provides an opportunity to help shape and grow a practice in an area that is becoming increasingly important for clients. Businesses are facing a wave of new digital regulation, alongside greater scrutiny and enforcement risk, and they need advisers who can help them navigate not only compliance obligations but also the disputes and investigations that can follow,’ Conway concluded.
Deloitte digital regulation global lead Nick Seeber said of Conway’s departure: ‘Joanna brought deep legal and regulatory expertise to Deloitte’s digital regulation practice and her contribution to our growth and market success has been invaluable. I wish Joanna all the best with her return to Norton Rose Fulbright.’
Deloitte is currently ranked in tier 3 by Legal 500 for industry focus: TMT in London.
Conway’s move marks NRF’s seventh lateral hire in London this year, including the recent hire of corporate partner Medha Marathe, formerly of counsel at Latham & Watkins, and securitisation partner Victoria Morton from Paul Hastings.
The firm also hired non-legal partner Stephanie Pantelidaki, who joined as head of transfer pricing for NRF’s EMEAPAC practice from Baker McKenzie in April.
EMEAPAC dispute resolution and litigation head Patrick Bourke, said: ‘As enforcement activity accelerates in the UK and internationally, including under regimes such as the Online Safety Act and Digital Services Act, demand for sophisticated regulatory and disputes advice continues to grow. Joanna’s combination of legal, regulatory and risk experience positions her exceptionally well to help clients navigate these challenges and capitalise on opportunities in this rapidly developing area.’
This week, the firm has made additional hires across its global offices, including consumer disputes partner Jason Stiehl, who joins from Crowell & Moring in Chicago.
NRF has undergone several changes in the last year, restructuring its verein to merge its EMEA and APAC practices into one.
The firm also split from its three South African offices in March, reducing its footprint on the African continent to its Casablanca office in Morocco.
