About

Widely recognized as a pioneer and a thought leader on data privacy and security law issues, Francoise Gilbert has been advising clients on a wide range of domestic and foreign data protection legal issues for more than 30 years. In the early days of data networks and the Internet, she worked with State and Federal elected officials on the development of the laws and legal structures that would apply to the collection, use and transfer of sensitive personal data. Today, her practice is focused on evaluating pending legislation and implementing data privacy and cybersecurity laws for businesses established in the United States and abroad. She counsels clients on complex issues related to compliance, strategy, e-business risks associated with the collection and use of personal information.  Examples of assignments include:

• Audit of companies personal data handling practices and their compliance with their legal obligations under privacy and cybersecurity laws
• Compliance efforts, addressing especially the unstable requirements of the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and the complex issues raised by European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
• Design of products and services to help meet business objectives within the constraints of meeting compliance requirements
• Projects involving artificial intelligence, smart cities, big data, connected devices, intelligent vehicles, robots and other emerging technologies
• Development of internal programs to help drive a culture of privacy across entire organizations
• Product development strategies aimed at meeting the privacy-by-design and security-by-design principles
• Privacy and security in mergers and acquisitions, and other corporate and commercial transactions.

A sought-after speaker, Francoise Gilbert has been featured on numerous panels throughout the United States and internationally on privacy, security, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), global privacy programs, cloud computing, connected objects, smart cities, robot law, risk management, outsourcing, information technology, and e-business law by industry groups, bar associations and trade associations.

Francoise Gilbert is the author of the leading two-volume treatise “Global Privacy and Security Law” which covers in depth the privacy and data protection laws of 68 countries on all continents. She has also contributed to numerous collective works and has published hundreds of articles in peer-reviewed publications, professional journals and magazines on privacy, security, emerging technologies, compliance, cybercrime, outsourcing, workplace privacy, information law, data governance, Internet law, eCommerce, children protection, and comparative law.

Concentrations

• Information privacy and security, US and international
• Artificial intelligence
• EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
• California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)
• Internet of Things, smart cities, connected objects, intelligent vehicles
• Big data, data analytics
• Interest-based advertising
• Cloud computing

Awards & Accolades

• Listed, Euromoney’s Expert Guides, “Best of the Best,” Privacy & Data Protection, 2019 
• Listed, Euromoney’s Expert Guides: Women in Business Law,“Guide to the World’s Leading Women in Business Law,” 2017
• Shortlisted,Euromoney Legal Media Group’s Americas Women in Business Law Awards, “Best in Technology,” 2017-2018
• Listed, Who’s Who Legal: Thought Leaders, 2017
• Honoree, The National Law Journal, “Trailblazer” Awards, Cyber Security & Data Privacy, 2015
• Listed, Chambers Global, Information Privacy and Security, 2009-Present
• Listed, Chambers USA Guide, Information Privacy and Security, 2009-2017
• Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, “Information Technology Law and Privacy and Data Security Law,” 2008-Present
• Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, “San Francisco Lawyer of the Year for Information Technology Law,” 2014
• Listed, Who’s Who Legal: Technology, Media and Telecommunications, 2015
• Listed, Who’s Who Legal: E-Commerce, Information Privacy and Security, 1999-2014
• Listed, San Francisco’s Best Lawyers Magazine, “Privacy and Data Security Law,” 2008-Present
• Listed, Ethisphere, “Attorneys Who Matter,” 2012-2013

• Listed, Computerworld, “Best Privacy Advisers,” 2010

Professional Certifications

• Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US, CIPP/EU)
• Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM)

Education

• J.D., Loyola University Chicago School of Law
• Maitrise en Droit, University of Paris, Faculté de Droit Paris IX (France)
• CAPES Mathématiques, University of Paris (France)
• B.Sc. and M.Sc., University of Montpellier II (France)

Admissions to Practice Law

• California
• Illinois
• France (Inactive)