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High-performance computing and modern technology continue to drive an increased demand for digital infrastructure. As limited supply, power availability, supply chain constraints, the impact of AI, and increasing costs present both challenges and opportunities for data center users, owners, operators, and investors, our team offers forward-looking solutions across the data center ecosystem.
Complex data center projects and operations span a range of legal issues – from M&A, investments, financing, and real estate to planning, regulatory, and day-to-day operations. Our finance work extends beyond traditional real estate finance to include project finance and hybrid approaches for financing existing data centers and development projects. We understand the nuances of the economics of data center transactions and how and when to use a master services agreement and service order for space occupancy. Negotiating across from hyperscale technology companies positions us to deliver informed strategies for success. No matter the challenge, our integrated, multi-disciplinary team of lawyers across renowned practices comes equipped with deep data center knowledge to tackle issues from all sides – no learning curve required.
As data center challenges and opportunities vary across the country and around the world, our powerful global platform delivers local knowhow when and where you need it. We work seamlessly across jurisdictions to combine global reach with nuanced local legal, commercial, and political nuances in a way no other firm can.
The explosion of AI and machine learning applications puts tremendous pressure on key infrastructure. Data centers are critical in supporting the growth of advanced AI tools and large language models, and increased demand on data centers will undoubtedly impact cost, energy consumption, and supply. We can help you navigate the evolving dynamics to develop forward-looking strategies that reduce risk and optimize opportunities driven by AI.
ESG is a growing priority for businesses across the board and as energy-intensive endeavors, ESG issues are becoming increasingly important for operating and investing in data centers. That’s why we embed ESG strategies into our tailored solutions to proactively identify and mitigate regulatory and business risks without losing sight of your commercial objectives.
At the intersection of digital and physical, we have 30+ years of experience advising on the delivery of digital infrastructure assets and services across the full life cycle of data centers worldwide and can help prepare you for what’s next.
Recognition
Global: Multi-Jurisdictional, Real Estate, Band 1, Chambers Global 2025
Technology Nationwide, Chambers USA 2025
Technology Sector (International & Cross-Border), Band 1, Chambers USA 2025
TMT: Information Technology, Multi-Jurisdictional, Band 1, Chambers Global 2025
Privacy & Data Security: The Elite, Chambers Global 2025
Top tier for Nationwide Land Use/Zoning, Legal 500 USA, 2025
Top tier for Nationwide Real Estate, Legal 500 USA, 2025
Top tier for Infrastructure, Legal 500 UK, 2024
Experience
Affinius Capital and Corscale in a range of strategic data center initiatives, including: (i) zoning and due diligence for the acquisition of two data center developments in Prince William and Loudoun Counties, Virginia; (ii) a lease transaction for up to 54 megawatts of capacity across three buildings in Gainesville, Virginia; and (iii) a joint venture with Ireland-based Echelon Data Centers to develop nine OPTDC buildings, with capacity for at least eight more.
AirTrunk on ts landmark AUD24 billion sale to The Blackstone Group. This is the largest transaction in the data centre industry to date and the largest transaction in Australia in 2024.
Azrieli Group on the NOK7.6 billion (EUR720 million) acquisition of leading Norway-based data centre operator Green Mountain.
The Blackstone Group on the aspects (including all real estate matters) of its USD7 billion joint venture with Digital Realty to develop four hyperscale data centre campuses across three metro areas on two continents, in Frankfurt, Paris, and Northern Virginia.
Chirisa Technology Parks and American Real Estate Partners/PowerHouse Data Centers on the structuring and development of a USD5 billion data center campus in Virginia, including a master and sub-condominium regime and a privately funded USD50 million electric power substation.
CyrusOne on multiple strategic transactions, including the USD670 million sale of four Houston data center assets, the USD490 million acquisition of Sentinel Data Centers, and the USD400 million acquisition of a privately held data center operator.
Edged Energy/EDC Venture on the formation of a joint venture with Stack Real Estate to develop a 26-acre site in Salt Lake City, Utah, into a multi-facility data center campus valued at USD442 million.
Harrison Street Real Estate and American Real Estate Partners in a joint venture for the acquisition and financing of a 48-acre corporate campus in Northern Virginia. The site will be redeveloped into a data center campus valued at over USD500 million. Our Northern Virginia land use team is advising on the rezoning process post-closing.
Macquarie Technology Group on its AUD450 million secured debt refinancing with a group of domestic and international lending institutions. The new debt facility is intended to support and fund the continued expansion of Macquarie Technology Group’s data centre business, including the construction of its IC3 Super West Phase one data centre.
A consortium of investors led by MEAG and Infranity, along with funds affiliated with DigitalBridge Group, on the formation of a EUR2.5 billion investment partnership with Vantage Data Centers, including structuring and documentation of the joint investment platform.
Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company and NorthPoint Development in a joint venture as landlord in a series of build-to-suit data center leases—up to 10 facilities—at the Keystone Trade Center. The USD8 billion project is designed to deliver 720 megawatts of capacity, marking one of the largest hyperscale developments in the U.S.
Principal Asset Management on the acquisition of a data centre hub in Düsseldorf for its first European data centre fund. Connecta Park spans 36,429 square metres and is let to multiple tenants, including Digital Realty, Colt, Vodafone, Pluserver, and Zayo.
QTS Data Centers, in collaboration with Compass Data Centers, on securing approvals for a 2,200-acre Comprehensive/Master Plan Amendment and navigating complex rezoning applications for the Prince William Digital Gateway in Prince William County, Virginia. Our team led the multi-year effort to replan and rezone land for over 20 million square feet of data center development near the historic Manassas National Battlefield Park. This USD40 billion initiative has been recognized as the largest master-planned data center campus in the world.
StratCap Data Centers and HMC Capital in their USD712 million acquisition of a data center under construction in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. The facility was acquired from a joint venture between Prologis and Skybox Data Centers.
Welcome to our new video series, Data Center Insights with DLA Piper, offering quick, high-level insights into the latest trends shaping the data center industry.
Chile has begun implementing its National Data Center Plan, which aims to strengthen the country’s data center industry while reducing environmental impact.
Australia’s data centre sector is booming due to AI, cloud computing, and digital demand. Explore key trends, challenges, and opportunities driving this growth.
Three bills affecting data center development have made it out of the conference committee and will be sent to Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin for consideration and signature.
A key Chicago city council committee advanced an ordinance at its meeting today directing city departments to study the environmental and energy impacts of data centers within Chicago.
Deal activity in data centre infrastructure has reached unprecedented levels. Our report, The meteoric rise of the data center: Global data center investment outlook, examines the reasons behind this surge in activity and the increasingly significant role ESG has to play when making investments.
The last 30 years have been driven by the arrival of new technologies such as the internet and smartphones. The COVID-19 pandemic, which has profoundly changed our professional and personal habits, has also amplified and accelerated the use of technology. Shopping has moved online, business meetings have become virtual meetings and streaming services have replaced going to the cinema. Today, the average number of emails sent per hour across the world is expected to reach 12 billion, and we could reach 48 billion connected objects in circulation by 2025.
