Admitted to the bars of New York and Paris, I practice in Paris with an emphasis on information technology and intellectual property law.

My specific knowledge of these areas results from my music and photographic activities as well as my inner passion for computer science.

I have acquired my experience in international law firms, where I have been able to assist companies ranging from early-stage start-ups to global multinationals, since 2006, on litigation and transactional matters.

I wish to assist you in the implementation of your projects, in order to optimize the immaterial assets of your company, be it in relation with personal data management (clients, prospects, employees), intellectual property, editorial contents or your partnerships with service providers.

My practice has been recognized by Legal 500 – France – IT, Telecoms and the Internet, notably in 2016 (Band 3 – “Senior associate Claude-Etienne Armingaud is another name to note.“), 2017 (Band 2 – “Recently promoted partner Claude-Etienne Armingaud ‘wastes no time and is straight to the point’.” – link) & 2018 and Leaders League (New Technologies – Internet – 2016 Ranking of the Top Law Firms (France) – Highly Recommended – Band 1 – link)

I am a Certified Information Privacy Professional / Europe (“CIPP/E”) by the International Association of Privacy Practitioners.

You may contact me here:

claude.armingaud@klgates.com | +33 6 280 44 555

116 Champs Elysées | Paris VIII

Areas of practice

My practice focuses on the representation of public and private companies in the area of information technologies and intellectual property law. I provide counsel to clients at all stages of their corporate life cycle and in wide-ranging transactions, including in connection with litigation compliance matters, intellectual property protection and development, data protection strategic operations, and other commercial contracts.

Data Protection Expertise

I advise clients active in the digital industries, with a particular interest in innovative services and notably Fintech and blockchain-based services, connected cars and automotive sector, data optimization and valuation, notably in the IoT sector.

I have notably been involved in the connected car ecosystem, on R&D projects relating to experimentation of autonomous cars, partnership agreements for the development of in-car connected services and the assistance of value-added service startups for the negotiation of the CNIL/French Data Protection Authority’s compliance package for the connected vehicles. I am a regular speaker about the legal aspects pertaining to the connected car, notably at the Connected Car Conference in Paris and the Connected Mobility Conference in Lille.

I also assist clients with their General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) compliance process, including risk analysis and contractual implementation of data processing services.

Start-up Experience

I regularly advise start-up companies in matters relating to securing their intellectual property, be it from in-house or external providers or employees, as well as securing their process from the start to ensure a streamlined evolution towards more advanced stages of growth.

Innovative Services Experience

I have extensive experience in understanding technological and structural processes, which allow for innovative approaches to solidify my client’s business models and protect their immaterial assets. This ranges from client and prospect data optimization to enforcing their intellectual properties. I regularly assist service and content providers on both their front and back office matters.

Global Approach

My legal experience is anchored on both a French civil law practice and American common law training. I provide my clients with a multicultural approach to their needs, be it for American entities doing business in continental Europe as well as European companies looking to expand their reach.

With this global approach, I regularly assist my clients in litigation and regulatory matters at French, European, and international levels on:

• e-commerce & trust services;
• media & content distribution;
• privacy & consumer protection;
• defamation & online reputation;
• internal & external fraud;
• counterfeiting & IP infringement;
• internet liability;
• export control & e-discovery;
• antitrust & unfair competition;
• advertising, betting & gaming.

Achievements

Privacy & Information Technology

• Legal 500
  • Data Protection – Band 2
  • IT, telecoms and the Internet – Band 4
• Leaders League / Magazine Décideurs
  • Data protection Law – Highly Recommended
  • IT, software & digital projects – Recommended
  • Internet – Recommended

Intellectual Property

• Legal 500
  • Trademark & Designs – Band 4
  • Copyright – Band 4
  • Luxury goods – Band 2 (2019)
  • Healthcare and life sciences – Band 3 (2019)
• Leaders League / Magazine Décideurs
  • Brands, designs, and models – Highly Recommended 1/2
  • Management of trademark, design and model portfolios – Recommended

Testimonials

‘The team is well versed and up to date on the current standards and practices. Team members are all very flexible in their availability and very responsive’.

‘The team provides sharp advices and has great sector industry knowledge’.

‘The team has in-depth expertise and great ability to anticipate future legislation’

‘Claude Etienne Armingaud is more than a lawyer; he is a trusted partner who knows his own limits and is very friendly’

Legal 500 – EMEA – Industry focus: IT, telecoms and the internet 2020 – Band 4

“K&L Gates LLP occupies a unique place in the market with its focus on media and entertainment clients and its impressive track record in handling matters for French professional associations, including those representing communication agencies, advertising players and online publishers. Practice heads Etienne Drouard and Claude-Etienne Armingaud are well versed in cross-border matters as demonstrated by their frequent involvement in matters involving multinational companies, particularly clients from the US and Asia. Instructions relating to GDPR compliance also account for a significant portion of the workload. The practice also offers clients the use of artificial intelligence tools to facilitate document analyses, knowledge management and document drafting. While the tools are employed across the board, they are particularly beneficial in litigation through the improved management of document evidence.

‘The data protection team can be noted for its outstanding quality, reputation and high responsiveness. With their international network, in-depth knowledge of the market, the technology and their legal strength it is an excellent firm to go to for data protection matters.’

‘Really pleasant team to work with. Responsive and team players.’

‘The K&L Gates privacy team in France has a lot of knowledge regarding cross-border privacy issues.’

‘Claude-Etienne Armingaud is a true data protection thought leader. With his in-depth knowledge of the market, technology and his legal strength he is the person to go to for all data protection matters. He is an expert in the fields of new technological areas including fintech, blockchain and the internet of things where he combines his extensive data protection knowledge with his market and technological experience.’”

Legal 500 – EMEA – Data Protection 2020 – Band 2

“At K&L Gates LLP, the IP, IT and privacy group encompasses the firm’s corporate and commercial offering in the technological space under the joint leadership of Claude-Etienne Armingaud and Etienne Drouard, whose ‘perfect mastery of the law, outstanding understanding of complex issues and personal courage’ impresses clients. The group was recently instructed by three major transport companies to advise on the provision of WiFi services in their train and subway stations and airports. (…) Armingaud is assisting a utility provider with the implementation of a smart city hub. Also notable is the group’s work in the online marketing and advertising, connected device and new technology, and online distribution sectors.”

Legal 500 – EMEA – Industry focus: IT, telecoms and the internet 2019 – Band 2

“K&L Gates LLP’s (…) Claude-Etienne Armingaud specialises in cross-border transactions and outsourcing contracts in the fields of fintech, IoT and big data. Notable transactional work included Armingaud’s advice to Bridgestone on its €12m share deal with Eliocity, which also entailed assistance with IT, IP and data protection due diligence. On the data protection front, the practice’s caseload includes advice to Carglass on the implementation of its GDPR compliance programme, and assisting BNP Paribas with its personal data privacy policy. The department’s client roster also includes JCDecaux, Microsoft, SNCF and SloClap.”

Legal 500 – EMEA – Industry focus: IT, telecoms and the internet 2018 – Band 2

“K&L Gates LLP advises on sophisticated global and domestic IT projects and is another name to note in very innovative digital projects for major French clients. The seven-lawyer team is also a reference for data privacy matters and is handling an important dispute with the French data regulator regarding the use of cookies. (…) Recently promoted partner Claude-Etienne Armingaud ‘wastes no time and is straight to the point’.”

Legal 500 – EMEA – Industry focus: IT, telecoms and the internet 2017 – Band 2

“Senior associate Claude-Etienne Armingaud is another name to note.“

Legal 500 – EMEA – Industry focus: IT, telecoms and the internet 2016 – Band 3