Cynthia Cole > Baker McKenzie LLP > Palo Alto, United States > Lawyer Profile
Baker McKenzie LLP Offices
660 HANSEN WAY
PALO ALTO, CA 94304
CALIFORNIA
United States
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Cynthia Cole
Work Department
Intellectual Property and Technology Law
Position
Cynthia J. Cole is Chair of Baker McKenzie’s Global Commercial, Tech and Transactions Business Unit, a member of the Firm’s global Commercial, Data, IP and Trade (CDIT) practice group steering Committee and Co-chair of Baker Women California. A former CEO and General Counsel, just before joining the Firm, Cynthia was Deputy Department Chair of the Corporate Section in the California offices of Baker Botts where she built the technology transactions and data privacy practice. An intellectual property transactions attorney, Cynthia also has expertise in AI, digital transformation, data privacy, and cybersecurity strategy.
She advises clients across a wide range of industries including Technology, Media & Telecoms, Energy, Mining & Infrastructure, Healthcare & Life Sciences, and Industrials, Manufacturing & Transportation. Cynthia has deep experience in complex cross-border, IP, data-driven and digital transactions, creating bespoke agreements in novel technology fields. She acts as outside general counsel to a number of executive teams and boards of directors.
Career
Cynthia has extensive experience in a wide variety of complex technology and intellectual property alliances and transactions. Cynthia’s practice also includes providing intellectual property and data privacy and security assistance in connection with M&A, private equity and other corporate transactions. She advises clients on cybersecurity and incident response 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 AI, IP, tech transactions, data privacy, cybersecurity and leadership. In 2024 she was recognized as one of the “Top IP Lawyers” by the Daily Journal. In 2022, she was recognized as a “Top Cyber Lawyer in California” by The Daily Journal. 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 leadership in diversity, pro bono and community involvement and influence, most recently by the Silicon Valley Business Journal as a “2020 Women of Influence.”
Languages
English, French
Memberships
- LeaderXXchange, Advisory Board Member
- International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP); Certified Information Privacy Professional, CIPP/E
- DirectWomen, Board Member
- Berkeley Center for Law & Technology, Advisory Board Member
- Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, West Coast Initiative Advisory Board
Lawyer Rankings
United States > Media, technology and telecoms > Cyber law (including data privacy and data protection)
Recommended for its ‘comprehensive global insights and knowledge‘, Baker McKenzie LLP‘s data privacy and cybersecurity practice assists its clients in developing comprehensive privacy programs, carrying out complex cross-border data transfers, and handling challenging data breach incidents. Brian Hengesbaugh
, based in Chicago, chairs the firm’s global data privacy and security business unit: his experience in the development and implementation of domestic and international privacy policy informing advisory work in global data privacy matters, direct marketing information management, and data-driven transactions. The firm’s global cybersecurity practice is headed from New York by Cyrus Vance, who handles high-stakes litigation and global investigations: also an area of strength for Elizabeth Roper. In Palo Alto, Cynthia Cole pairs intellectual property transactions experience with digital transformation and cybersecurity expertise, supporting clients across the media, energy, healthcare, and life sciences industries. The ‘knowledgeable and approachable‘ Lothar Determann , also in Palo Alto, regularly advises on data privacy law compliance as well as information technology commercialization. Rachel Ehlers is the key name in Houston, with a practice focusing on technology transactions and cybersecurity. Stephen Reynolds departed the team in June 2023.
United States > Media, technology and telecoms > Technology transactions
At Baker McKenzie LLP, the technology transactions department routinely works with major national and global corporations from the tech, financial services, and insurance sectors to guide them through matters involving machine learning, AI, systems procurement, IP rights, IT joint ventures, and cross-border data transfers. The practice is co-led by Peter George, who assists clients with licensing transactions and electronic contracting matters, and Samuel Kramer, who concentrates on complex commercial contracting, fintech matters, and supply chain integration. Michael Mensik is noted for advising on the domestic and foreign operations of IT companies and also routinely handles data protection concerns. In Palo Alto, Cynthia Cole demonstrates strengths in digital transformations, IP matters, and cybersecurity strategy, while Lisa Fontenot covers the tech and media elements of cross-border M&A deals. Unless otherwise specified, all individuals mentioned are stationed in Chicago.
Lawyer Rankings
- Cyber law (including data privacy and data protection) United States > Media, technology and telecoms
- Technology transactions United States > Media, technology and telecoms
Top Tier Firm Rankings
- Finance > Financial services regulation
- International trade and national security > Customs, export controls and economic sanctions
- Media, technology and telecoms > Cyber law (including data privacy and data protection)
- Finance > Capital markets: global offerings
- Finance > Project finance
- Tax > US taxes: contentious
Firm Rankings
- Labor and employment > Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: transactional
- Dispute resolution > International litigation
- Tax > International tax
- Media, technology and telecoms > Outsourcing
- Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: defense
- Media, technology and telecoms > Technology transactions
- Labor and employment > Workplace and employment counseling
- Transport > Aviation and air travel: litigation and regulation
- Labor and employment > Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: design
- Labor and employment > Immigration
- M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: large deals ($1bn+)
- Energy > Renewable/alternative power
- Intellectual property > Trademarks: non-contentious (including prosecution, portfolio management and licensing)
- Antitrust > Cartel
- International trade and national security > CFIUS
- Environment > Environment: regulatory
- Dispute resolution > International arbitration
- Labor and employment > Labor and employment disputes (including collective actions)
- Intellectual property > Patents: prosecution (including re-examination and post-grant proceedings)
- Dispute resolution > Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: consumer products (including tobacco)
- International trade and national security > Trade remedies and trade policy
- Intellectual property > Trade secrets (litigation and non-contentious matters)
- Tax > US taxes: non-contentious
- Antitrust > Civil litigation/class actions: defense
- Antitrust > Merger control
- Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate
- Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense