Dentons has hired a partner from Simmons & Simmons in order to set up a Paris TMT practice. Christophe Fichet has joined the firm with one of his associates, Adrien Morisse.

Dentons says an additional lawyer is lined up to come on board in the coming weeks.

Fichet arrives at Dentons after a six-year stint at Simmons having originally qualified in 2001 before spells at firms including Bird & Bird and French leader Gide Loyrette Nouel.

He expresses a particular interest in digital technology, including data privacy, cybersecurity, blockchain and artificial intelligence. 

One notable area of practice is advising governments and regulatory bodies on regulatory frameworks, licensing or privatisation processes. The World Bank, The National Infrastructure Authority in Gabon and Guinée’s telecoms and new technology regulator are among his clients.

Igor Ostrowski, global co-head of Dentons’ TMT group, said: "In my opinion, 2020 will be a year of great comeback for the telecoms sector.  We expect to be busy servicing our telecom clients on a number of restructuring, M&A and regulatory projects to bring more value for shareholders and help companies go beyond the core of their activities."