About the IAPP

Cynthia Cole is the Deputy Department Chair of the Corporate Section in the Palo Alto and San Francisco offices, as well as a former CEO and General Counsel. Her practice focuses on corporate, strategic and technology transactions and data privacy. She advises clients across a wide variety of industries including technology, retail, telecommunications, social media and life sciences. She acts as outside general counsel to a number of executive teams and boards of directors as well as advising on mergers, acquisitions, asset purchases and joint development agreements.

She is sought after for her depth of experience in complex cross border transactions, IP and data-driven transactions often creating bespoke agreements in novel technology fields. She advises clients on implementation and compliance with the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (CCPA) and the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). She is certified as an Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/E) by the International Association of Privacy Professionals.

A recognized thought leader, Cynthia is a frequent author and speaker and is often quoted by leading print and broadcast media on data privacy and leadership. In 2019, she was recognized as a California Trailblazer in data privacy by The Recorder for her foundational work in data privacy.

An adjunct Professor at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, Cynthia teaches a course on information and data privacy.

She has been recognized, as well, for her community involvement and influence, most recently by the Silicon Valley Business Journal as a 2020 Women of Influence.