Profile
Work Department
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
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
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