Squire Patton Boggs is pleased to announce the appointment of partner Rosa Barcelo as co-chair of the firm’s global Data Privacy & Cybersecurity Practice Group. Based in the Brussels office, Ms. Barcelo will serve as co-chair of the practice with partner Ann LaFrance, who has relocated from London to the firm’s New York office.
Ms. Barcelo has nearly 20 years of experience in European data protection and privacy, including expertise in compliance, enforcement and policy. Prior to joining the firm in 2018, Ms. Barcelo served as Deputy Head of Unit of the Cybersecurity and Digital Privacy Unit of DG CONNECT in the European Commission, where she led legislative deliberations over the proposed e-Privacy Regulation. Ms. Barcelo advises clients on data protection and privacy, including compliance with the GDPR and the e-Privacy Directive. She has a particular focus on cutting-edge ICT issues, including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, autonomous vehicles, programmatic advertising and online tracking technologies.
“To join my colleague and friend, Ann, as co-chair is a true honor,” said Ms. Barcelo. “Her leadership of the group has been remarkable, and I look forward to working with her as we continue to build an industry-leading global team.”
Ms. LaFrance will lead the group and clients through the implementation of a growing list of game-changing state privacy laws, including the New York SHIELD Act and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). Following more than two decades of practice in Brussels and London, she will draw on her extensive experience advising clients on compliance with the EU data protection, e-privacy and cybersecurity rules, including the GDPR. She will also continue to advise internet providers, governments and regulatory authorities around the world on legal and regulatory developments affecting the digital economy sector.
“We have entered a new era of digital advancements ranging from drones to the Internet of Things to AI. Clients are seeking practical, future-proof advice and regulatory solutions that can be scaled globally. This means dealing with an expanding web of data privacy and cybersecurity rules around the world, along with platform regulation, emerging codes of ethics for AI and an array of digital policy developments,” said Ms. LaFrance. “I am delighted to be back on this side of The Pond, working with my incredibly talented US colleagues, including Elliot Golding, who has been ably leading our CCPA advisory efforts, and our global team is uniquely equipped to advise clients across the spectrum on how best to identify and manage these diverse regulatory risks.”
The firm has prioritized the expansion of its data privacy and cybersecurity capabilities throughout the country. Glenn Brown joined in the Atlanta office; Lydia de la Torre joined in the Palo Alto office; Tony Scott joined in the Washington DC and San Francisco offices; and Robin Campbell and Elliot Golding joined in the Washington DC office.
Source: www.squirepattonboggs.com
