Slaughter and May establishes Digital Regulation practice
Slaughter and May has established a dedicated Digital Regulation practice, consolidating its longstanding work in this area. Will Manley, a tech and digital lawyer based in the firm’s Brussels office, is announced as the new Head of Digital Regulation.
This dedicated practice responds to client demand for specialist digital regulation advice, including with respect to AI regulation. It builds on the strength and success of the firm’s Tech Cross-Stream, while responding directly to a major shift towards greater regulation of digital markets globally. The team will draw on lawyers from the Technology, Data, IP and Competition groups, leveraging the firm’s significant experience in advising clients in this area.
Will is a regulatory lawyer focused on digital markets. He advises leading technology and AI companies on high‑stakes EU and UK competition and digital‑regulatory matters, with extensive experience in digital regulation, merger control and antitrust investigations. He brings policy expertise with practical insight into Europe’s enforcement landscape, underpinned by deep sector experience from advising major digital clients on complex matters. Recent matters include advising Meta on issues under the EU’s DMA and UK’s DMCCA, and Google in several major investigations.
Managing Partner David Johnson said, “This dedicated practice, and Will’s appointment, reinforces our ambition to be the leading digital regulation practice, advising the full spectrum of organisations on their most complex matters and delivering the novel, high‑value strategic advice our firm is known for.”
Partner, and co-head of the firm’s cross-practice Technology Group, Jordan Ellison added, “Our deep experience at the intersection of tech, digital, data, IP and competition and the clear client demand for holistic, specialist advice make this a natural step. With major regimes coming into force, such as the EU’s AI Act, and the stronger enforcement of online rules in Europe and the UK, and with AI touching ever more areas of the economy, international clients face unprecedented regulatory complexity. Will’s appointment, together with the creation of a distinct Digital Regulation practice, positions us to capitalise on our existing experience to the benefit of clients.”
Will Manley, commenting on the development said, “Digital, and AI, regulation is a huge focus for many of our clients. At times it seems that this landscape gets more complicated by the day, so our job is to help clients navigate these rules in a commercial, low-friction way. It’s a crucial time, not only for tech and AI clients that need strategic guidance, but also for clients in many other sectors that are now confronting complex digital rules, often for the first time. This announcement formalises a dedicated, highly specialised team to deliver the clarity and strategic advice that clients need to navigate this environment.”
Find out more about the Digital Regulation practice.