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Daniel P. Cooper

Partner

Brussels +32 2 545 7527

Dublin +353 1 539 5025

  • About
  • Representative Matters
  • Credentials
  • About

    Daniel Cooper is co-chair of Covington’s Data Privacy and Cyber Security Practice, and advises clients on information technology regulatory and policy issues, particularly data protection, consumer protection, AI, and data security matters. He has over 20 years of experience in the field, representing clients in regulatory proceedings before privacy authorities in Europe and counseling them on their global compliance and government affairs strategies. Dan regularly lectures on the topic, and was instrumental in drafting the privacy standards applied in professional sport.

    According to Chambers UK, his "level of expertise is second to none, but it's also equally paired with a keen understanding of our business and direction." It was noted that "he is very good at calibrating and helping to gauge risk."

    Dan is qualified to practice law in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Belgium. He has also been appointed to the advisory and expert boards of privacy NGOs and agencies, such as the IAPP's European Advisory Board, Privacy International and the European security agency, ENISA.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Practices and Industries
  • Representative Matters
    • Represented Bristol-Myers Squibb transitioning its Binding Corporate Rules from France to Ireland.
    • Advised the European Federation of pharmaceutical Industries and Associations on submissions to European institutions regarding proposals on upcoming regulations.
    • Advised Arcelik on GDPR compliance across its 13 international subsidiaries and numerous jurisdictions in Europe, including Germany, UK, Finland, Sweden and Romania amongst others.
    • Advised Arcelik on privacy considerations and regulatory issues related to connected devices and applications, including Smart TVs; and online behavioral advertising and electronic direct marketing rules in various EU jurisdictions.
    • Represented AstraZeneca as it developed its GDPR-compliant Binding Corporate Rules, negotiating the terms with the UK Information Commissioner, as well as orchestrating the company’s transition of those BCRs to the Swedish regulators in anticipation of Brexit.
    • Advised 100+ companies on substantive matters and compliance projects including: gap analyses for companies, remediation planning and implementation tailored to each company.

    • Advised a wide range of clients in the life sciences sector on the proper application of the GDPR’s rules on scientific research.
    • Advised numerous tech-focused companies on the regulation of AI, machine-learning and related technologies under the GDPR.
    • Advised Facebook, the online social network, on its compliance with European data protection laws.
    • Advised Expedia, and its sister company, TripAdvisor, on compliance with data protection and security rules in Europe and Asia.
    • Advised Wikimedia Foundation, responsible for the Wikipedia publication, with respect to European laws regulating charitable organizations and cross-border transfers of data.
    • Advised Deutsche Bank on various data protection issues in the UK and Germany.
    • Advised Microsoft on its various online services and data protection compliance.
    • Advised Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Novartis, Abbott, Gilead, Alcon, Genzyme, Johnson & Johnson, MSD and UCB on their compliance with European data protection rules relating to clinical trials, e-health platforms, genetic testing and in other contexts.
    • Advised the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) with respect to its compliance with European data privacy laws in connection with its global administration and management of athlete doping procedures.
    • Advised UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) on UK privacy regulations as applied to athlete drug testing.
    • Advised on the national laws relating to employee monitoring and surveillance in several EU Member States.
    • Advised Procter & Gamble on its online behavioral advertising practices and related collaborations with ad networks.
    • Advised CBS Interactive on its online privacy policies and data processing practices in Europe and Asia.
    • Advised Viacom, the global mass media company, in connection with UK data protection law matters.
    • Advised American Express in connection with its fraud detection program and initiatives involving “Big Data”.
    • Assisted UnitedHealth Group (UHG) with cross-border transfers of personal data and compliance with European registration rules.
    • Advised Privacy International, the privacy-rights NGO, with respect to emerging EU and other privacy and data retention laws
    • Assisted several manufacturing companies with devising privacy audit tools and practical compliance tools and template documents.
    • Assisted a multi-national client on compliance with pan-European notification requirements.
    • Provided large US-based pharmaceutical company with information on privacy laws in 10 key markets, including countries in Europe, Central, North and South America, and Asia.
    • Assisted large pharmaceutical company in dealing with privacy issues resulting from the migration of patient data from a clinical study to a web-based platform. 
    • Advised on the processing of sensitive health data (under clinical trials and pharmacompliance), exports to third countries such as the US, communication to third parties such as regulatory authorities and identification of the “controller” of data.
    • Assisted several clients on the latest privacy developments in the areas of RFID and biometrics.
    • Assisted several worldwide privacy audits of US-based multinationals, including a detailed safety assessment, and recommendations to address certain issues, drafting of SOPS, notices, checking notifications to data protection authorities, and preparing appropriate privacy policies.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Credentials
    Education
    • Harvard Law School, J.D., 1995
        • cum laude
    • University of Oxford, M.St., 1992
    • Princeton University, B.A., 1991
        • magna cum laude   
    Bar Admissions
    • Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales
    • Brussels
    • District of Columbia
    • Massachusetts
    • Ireland
    Judicial Clerkship
    • Hon. John Ferren, District of Columbia Court of Appeals, 1995 - 1996
    Languages
    • German
    Pro Bono
    • Advising consortium of privacy-rights organizations in connection with the human rights implications of EU laws on data retention and amassing information from electronic communications services providers.
    Accolades
    • Lawdragon, 500 Leading Global Cyber Lawyers (2025)
    • Chambers Europe, Data Protection (2015-2025)  
    • Chambers UK, Data Protection and Information Law (2009-2023)
    • Chambers Global, Data Protection (2008-2018)
    • Who's Who Legal, Data Privacy & Protection and Data Security (2018-2023); Information Technology Data (2023)     
    • Legal 500 UK, Data Protection (2012-2022)
    • Legal 500 UK, Sport (2013-2016)
    • Legal 500 UK, Media & Entertainment (2013)
    • Best Lawyers in the United Kingdom, Privacy & Data Protection Law (2014)
    • Super Lawyers - London, Computer and IT Law (2013)
    • Legal 500 EMEA, EU Regulatory, Privacy and Data Protection - Belgium (2011)
    Memberships and Affiliations
    • European Privacy Association (EPA) Scientific Committee, Member (2015-2017)
    • DataGuidance Pharma Panel of Experts, Member
    • European Privacy Association, Member
    • Computer Law and Security Review, Member of the Professional Board
    • U.K. Law Society's ad hoc group on data protection, Member
    • Privacy International, Board of Trustees
    • CASRO, General Counsel and Privacy Officer's Forum
    • British Institute of International and Comparative Law, Data Protection Research and Policy Committee, Member
    • European Privacy Officers Network (EPON), Member
    • MI5, Advisor on data privacy issues

    Areas of Expertise

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