Law firms have been strengthening their data protection and cybersecurity practices in Brussels, and further expansion is likely as firms respond to regulatory changes, lawyers say.

In just this month alone, Steptoe & Johnson brought on Charles-Albert Helleputte to lead its EU cybersecurity and data privacy practice. Helleputte had previously headed up Mayer Brown’s cybersecurity and privacy team in Brussels. Covington & Burling appointed partner Daniel Cooper co-chair of its global privacy group and head of its European data protection practice. And Cooley hired former DLA Piper privacy practice co-chair Patrick Van Eecke in Brussels to lead its European data privacy practice and serve as vice chair of its global practice.