Today, Squire Patton Boggs — the global law firm — has announced that Rosa Barcelo will join as deputy co-chair of the Data Privacy & Cybersecurity (DPC) Practice Group in the Brussels office.
Most recently, Barcelo served as deputy head of the Cybersecurity and Digital Privacy Unit of DG CNECT in the European Commission.
“Rosa has acquired a distinguished career as one of the most prominent data protection and cyber security experts in the European Union. We have invested heavily in building a leading practice in this area and Rosa’s addition is another significant step for us,” said Brian Hartnett, office managing partner of the Squire Patton Boggs Brussels office.
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Barcelo will advise clients on the full range of issues involving compliance with the GDPR, the ePrivacy Directive and national implementing laws. This includes supporting clients in a number of critical areas, for example:
• Strategic planning and support in carrying out data protection impact assessments (DPIAs) in regard to advanced digital products and services, including machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous vehicles and other cutting-edge issues.
• Compliance with data protection and e-privacy rules affecting mobile and online marketing services, geolocation tracking, programmatic advertising and other online activities.
• Acting for clients before national supervisory authorities in complaint proceedings, DPIA consultations, data breach investigations and penalty assessment proceedings, as well as consultations before the European Data Protection Board.
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• Devising efficient strategies for legitimising global data flows, including Binding Corporate Rules.
• Advising foreign governments on the negotiation of adequacy decisions under the GDPR.
• Assisting clients in navigating the new procedures for certification and codes of conduct under the GDPR.
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“Having interacted with senior members of the firm’s DPC team for many years, I am pleased to be joining an international law firm with such a well-established reputation in the EU and globally in the areas of data protection, e-privacy and cyber security, as well as telecoms regulation and technology law,” said Barcelo.
“I have greatly valued my years working with the European Commission, but I am now keen to rejoin private practice so that I can make a positive contribution to the development of workable solutions for industry in terms of both compliance and regulatory strategy.”
Ann LaFrance, European co-chair of the Squire Patton Boggs global DPC Practice, added: “We are absolutely delighted to have Rosa joining us at this juncture. These are challenging times for clients trying to meet the demands of the Digital Age while seeking to comply with the new EU data protection rules. As we prepare for the first wave of GDPR enforcement actions and the expected adoption of the proposed ePrivacy Regulation, our DPC team is well-positioned to act for clients across an array of complex, high-risk areas. Rosa’s experience, perspective and deep understanding of the critical issues across the spectrum in this rapidly evolving field will provide our team with strong leadership for the future and deliver valuable counsel and insights to our clients.”
