Overview
Sarah Pearce is a Partner in the Privacy and Cyber Security Practice of Paul Hastings and heads up our European team from the firm's London and Paris offices.
Ms. Pearce's practice covers data privacy and security issues in the UK and across Europe, including the impact of Brexit negotiations and the aftermath from the U.K. leaving the European Union. She assists clients in identifying, evaluating and managing global privacy and information security risks and compliance issues and regularly navigates clients through data breach response and associated regulatory investigations and enforcement proceedings. Her experience includes conducting privacy impact assessments and advising on risk management associated with data collection/use, international data transfer and marketing issues together with the drafting of privacy notices, policies, standards, and processes. Ms. Pearce routinely advises clients on the privacy and data security provisions of complex commercial and technology-related contracts, as well as those arising in the context of corporate transactions.
While her focus is data privacy, security, and information management matters, Ms. Pearce has a background in technology transactions and her practice encompasses a broad range of commercial and IT/IP issues including supply, distribution, licensing and outsourcing arrangements, consumer rights, and ecommerce-related matters.
Ms. Pearce's clients include a diverse selection in the EMEA region and the U.S, ranging from disruptive and growth stage companies to well-established multinational "household" brands.
Ms. Pearce often publishes editorial work and is a frequent speaker at international conferences.
Accolades and Recognitions
Recommended for Data Protection, Privacy and Cybersecurity by Legal 500 UK 2020:
"Led by Sarah Pearce, the team is thoroughly knowledgeable, practical and easy to deal with. Clients are in the hands of experts."
"Sarah Pearce is the stand-out partner - she is a true professional and excellent in all respects. Clients cannot praise her highly enough."
Education
College of Law, Guildford, LPC, 1999
Université de Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, Maîtrise, 1998
King's College, London, LLB, 1998
Bar Admissions - England & Wales
Speaking Engagements
Member of the Global Data Commons international Task Force, ongoing.
Speaker, from a Data Commons to an AI Commons, at the World Government Summit, 2019.
Presenter, GDPR for HR Six Months on: Lessons learned and unresolved issues, Lexology, 2018
Author, "Your Preparation Timetable for GDPR," Director, January 23, 2018
Co-author, "GDPR Governance: How Much is Enough?" Strategic Risk, January 2018
Author, "How to Get Ready for GDPR: 2018 Data Protection Changes," IP Pro, April 2017
Panel moderator, "Social Commerce: Navigating Fashion's Most Unruly Sales Channel," Decoded Fashion, London, May 17, 2017
Speaker, "Your Data," Upscale Training Session, May 23, 2017
Author, "GDPR: An Opportunity Ahead?," Financial Director, EssentialRetail, Information Age, June 2017
Quoted, "UK Privacy Office Warns Against Telemarketing Calls," Bloomberg's Privacy Law Watch, August 2017
Speaker, "Implications of the upcoming European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)," 4th Annual SmartFlow Anti-Piracy Summit, California, October 4, 2017
Author, "Privacy by Design," Intellectual Property Magazine, October 2017
Speaker, "Connecting with Consumers: Social Media Brand Management," MIP Luxury Brand and Retail Forum, New York, April 19, 2016
Speaker, "The Impact of Data Security in the Internet of Things - GDPR, EU-U.S. Privacy Shield and Brexit," Device Authority Webinar, September 13, 2016
Speaker, "Scaling Up for Growth: How to Become and Remain a Major Player," Decoded Fashion New York, November 1, 2016