Profile

Clara-Ann’s practice focuses on TMT and outsourcing, privacy and data protection, including audits and GDPR compliance, internal investigations, e-discovery, cloud computing and compliance. In addition to her advisory and transactional expertise, Clara-Ann also represents her clients in court proceedings, mediation and arbitration.

Awards & Rankings

17.11.2022
NKF partner Clara-Ann Gordon recognised as Lawyer of the Year for Data: Telecoms & Media at the WWL Awards 2022
Discover More
24.06.2022
NKF recognised as “Law Firm of the Year” for Corporate Law by Best Lawyers/Handelsblatt
Discover More
06.05.2022
Legalcommunity Switzerland Awards 2022: NKF recognised as multiple awards winner
Discover More

Experience

Over two decades, Clara-Ann has built remarkable expertise advising a broad range of Swiss and international businesses on IT and technology transactions, joint ventures, outsourcing, IoT and IT system projects. Clara-Ann also regularly advises her clients on data protection matters including GDPR gap analysis and the implementation thereof, internal data security projects and connected regulatory aspects. Clara-Ann’s practice includes advice on procurement, development, regulatory and compliance projects requiring a thorough understanding of the relevant technology.

Clara-Ann regularly publishes and speaks at national and international conferences on emerging legal issues in technology law. She is recognised as a Thought Leader in the areas Data Privacy & Protection, Data Security and Information Technology by Who’s Who Legal 2022 and as Lawyer of the Year 2021 for Data. She is former chair of the IBA Technology Law Committee, former IBA LPD Council Member, current officer with the IBA Women Lawyers Interest Group, chair of the IBA Online Services Committee, member of the Board of Directors of ITechLaw, a member of the INTA Enforcement Committee, former co-chair of IAPP Basel/Zurich KnowledgeNet Chapter and a member of the programme commission ICT – Recht und Praxis – of the Europa Institute at the University of Zurich, president of ITDR – Institute for IT and Data Dispute Resolution and member of the Legal Chapter of the Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce.

Experience highlights include advising:

  • Microsoft in various cloud related projects
  • FIFA on data protection matters, including GDPR
  • Actelion on the USD 30 billion transaction with Johnson & Johnson on the data protection structure and cross-border data protection contracts
  • Finastra as FinTech leader on its transaction acquiring Olfa Soft SA
2007 CEDR Accredited Mediator
1998 Queen Mary & Westfield College, London, LL.M. (IP)
1997 Admitted to the bar, Canton of Berne, Attorney-at-law
1997 University of Berne, Study of law
Best Lawyers 2012 – 2025
Chambers Europe 2013 – 2024
The Legal500 EMEA 2020 – 2024 – Leading Individual
Who’s Who Legal: Thought Leaders Global Elite 2021 – 2024
Who’s Who Legal: Thought Leaders – Switzerland 2019 – 2024
Who’s Who Legal: Switzerland 2017 – 2024
Best Lawyers/ Handelsblatt Switzerland 2022/23 – Lawyer of the Year for Media Law
Legalcommunity Switzerland Awards 2022 – Lawyer of the Year: TMT
Who’s Who Legal Switzerland Awards 2021 – Lawyer of the Year – Data
Who’s Who Legal Switzerland Awards 2020 – Lawyer of the Year for Data
Euromoney’s Women in Business Law guide 2019 – Leading Practitioner TMT
Euromoney’s Women in Business Law guide 2019 – Leading Practitioner Privacy & Data Protection
The Legal500 EMEA 2019 – Recommended
The Legal500 EMEA 2018 – Recommended
  • IAPP International Association of Privacy Professionals
  • IBA International Bar Association
  • ITechLAW International Technology Law Association
2016 Partner, Niederer Kraft Frey
2009 Partner at a major Swiss law firm
2003 Associate at a major Swiss law firm
2001 Secondment at Diogenes Verlag
2000 Secondment at ABB
1998 Associate at a major Swiss law firm

German

English

Deals & Cases

05.09.2024

Sonio group acquires Flow Swiss AG

Discover More
15.08.2024

Transgourmet acquires Saviva

Discover More
02.05.2024

Shearwater invests in Mondaic and enters into strategic partnership

Discover More

Market Perception

«Clara-Ann Gordon from NKF is one of my all-time favourites. She is a brilliant lawyer, a brilliant professional, very active in the tech field and does a lot for the tech community.»
Chambers Europe 2024 – TMT
«“Clara-Ann Gordon is a highly efficient, pragmatic and reliable problem solver. She is extremely good at understanding the challenges of the business world and suggesting solutions that are appropriate to the circumstances. Working with her is always extremely pleasant, which is also encouraged by her good sense of humour.” »
Legal 500 2024 – Data Privacy & Protection
«Clara-Ann Gordon is to the point, hands-on and responsive.»
Legal 500 2024 – Data Privacy & Protection
«Clara-Ann Gordon is a reputable name in the market, winning praise from observers who compliment her as ‘one of the top stars in Switzerland’ who is ‘internationally well connected’.»
Who’s Who Legal 2023 – Data – Information Technology
«Market sources praise Clara-Ann Gordon for being ‘one of the leading lawyers in the TMT and data field’ and for ‘delivering results in a league of her own’.»
Who’s Who Legal 2023 – Data Security
«Clara-Ann is very responsive, has a keen perception and her solutions are usually very business-orientated and pragmatic.»
Chambers Europe 2023 – TMT
«Clara-Ann Gordon is very well connected and very experienced in the market.»
Chambers Europe 2023 – TMT
«A top choice for data privacy and cybersecurity in Switzerland. »
Who’s Who Legal 2022

Events

01.10.2024

1 Jahr revDSG – ein kritischer Rück- und Ausblick

Discover More
09.04.2024

Health Apps & Platforms

Discover More
05.03.2024

M&A Transaktionen und AI Technologie im Unternehmen

Discover More

Awards & Rankings

06.02.2024

Nineteen NKF lawyers listed as “Thought Leaders Switzerland 2023” by Who’s Who Legal

Discover More
13.11.2023

NKF partner Clara-Ann Gordon recognised as Lawyer of the Year for Telecoms & Media at the WWL Awar…

Discover More
16.01.2023

Twelve NKF lawyers listed as “Thought Leaders Switzerland 2022” by Who’s Who Legal

Discover More

Firm News

06.09.2023

NKF partner Clara-Ann Gordon appointed as Legal Committee Chair of the Swiss-American Chamber of Comme…

Discover More
04.03.2021

NKF partner Clara-Ann Gordon appointed Chair of the IBA Online Services Committee

Discover More
08.08.2019

NKF delegation will attend the 2019 IBA Annual Conference in Seoul

Discover More

In the Media

23.10.2020

Data protection laws and access by US authorities. How does this affect me?

Discover More
04.09.2020

Expansion of NKF’s Technology and Data Law Practice

Discover More
04.07.2020

“Unterstützung im Wirrwarr des Datenschutzes” – NKF Partnerin Clara-Ann Gordon im I…

Discover More

Publications

01.09.2023

DSG Kommentar September 2023

Discover More
01.07.2022

Mediation bei IP-Streitigkeiten? Konfliktlösung statt “Recht haben” im IP-Bereich, 2022

Discover More
11.08.2021

Getting The Deal Through: Fintech 2022

Discover More

Speaking Engagements

16.04.2024

What Place For Arbitration in Tech Disputes?

Discover More
11.04.2024

Defense Procurement Projects Switzerland

Discover More
09.04.2024

Health Apps & Plattforms

Discover More

Newsletters & Alerts

31.07.2024

The EU AI Act Enters into Force: Implications for Swiss Companies

Discover More
12.01.2022

Specific Amendments and Measures under the revised FADP – Risk-based-Approach in Light of the ne…

Discover More
09.06.2021

New Standard Contractual Clauses for International Data Transfers

Discover More