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    Global Problem Solving from Covington: Deal with Complex Problems Anywhere in the World

Mark Young

Partner

London +44 20 7067 2101

  • About
  • Representative Matters
  • Credentials
  • About

    Mark Young is an experienced tech regulatory lawyer and a vice-chair of Covington’s Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Practice Group. He advises major global companies on their most challenging data privacy compliance matters and investigations. Mark also leads on EMEA cybersecurity matters at the firm, advising on evolving cyber-related regulations, and helping clients respond to incidents, including personal data breaches, IP and trade secret theft, ransomware, insider threats, and state-sponsored attacks.

    Mark has over 15 years of experience in the field and has been recognized in Chambers UK as "a trusted adviser - practical, results-oriented and an expert in the field;" "fast, thorough and responsive;" "extremely pragmatic in advice on risk;" “provides thoughtful, strategic guidance and is a pleasure to work with;” and has "great insight into the regulators."

    Mark is the Training Principal and Graduate Recruitment Partner for Covington’s London office.

    Drawing on over 15 years of experience advising global companies on a variety of tech regulatory matters, Mark specializes in:

    • Advising on potential exposure under GDPR and international data privacy laws in relation to innovative products and services that involve cutting-edge technology (e.g., AI, biometric data, Internet-enabled devices, etc.).
    • Providing practical guidance on novel uses of personal data, responding to individuals exercising rights, and data transfers, including advising on Binding Corporate Rules (BCRs) and compliance challenges following Brexit and Schrems II.
    • Helping clients respond to investigations by data protection regulators in the UK, EU and globally, and advising on potential follow-on litigation risks.
    • GDPR and international data privacy compliance for life sciences companies in relation to:
      • clinical trials and pharmacovigilance;
      • digital health products and services; and
      • marketing programs.
    • International conflict of law issues relating to white collar investigations and data privacy compliance.
    • Cybersecurity issues, including:
      • best practices to protect business-critical information and comply with national and sector-specific regulation;
      • preparing for and responding to cyber-based attacks and internal threats to networks and information, including training for board members;
      • supervising technical investigations; advising on PR, engagement with law enforcement and government agencies, notification obligations and other legal risks; and representing clients before regulators around the world; and
      • advising on emerging regulations, including during the legislative process.
    • Advising clients on risks and potential liabilities in relation to corporate transactions, especially involving companies that process significant volumes of personal data (e.g., in the adtech, digital identity/anti-fraud, and social network sectors.)
    • Providing strategic advice and advocacy on a range of EU technology law reform issues including data privacy, cybersecurity, ecommerce, eID and trust services, and software-related proposals.
    • Representing clients in connection with references to the Court of Justice of the EU.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Practices and Industries
  • Representative Matters
    • Provided strategic advice and coordinated responses of a global technology company in relation to major GDPR and ePrivacy investigations.
    • Advised a leading social network on various data privacy matters since 2010.
    • Counsel to an adtech company on GDPR and ePrivacy compliance in relation to online behavioural advertising and related legal and market developments.
    • Represented a major pharmaceutical company on compliance issues relating to pan-EU clinical trials, transfers of value to healthcare professionals, eligibility for early access programs, intragroup processing, and international transfer issues.
    • Long-term adviser to one of the largest healthcare and insurance companies in the world on GDPR and international data privacy laws, including in Brazil.
    • Advised a major airline on data privacy compliance in relation to various aspects of its loyalty program, arrangements with tech vendors, and international transfers of data.
    • Counsel to a leading radiation oncology treatment and software provider on the rollout of software-as-a-service to hospitals and other customers across Europe.
    • Counsel to a multinational chain of coffeehouses on consumer marketing and various data privacy compliance issues relating to licensees.

    • Advised an international sporting organization on a state-sponsored cybersecurity incident that resulted in a breach of confidential athlete data.
    • Counselled a pharmaceutical company on a cyber-attack that targeted documents relating to the regulatory submission of a COVID-19 vaccine candidate.
    • Coordinated an EU and ex-U.S. team as part of a 24/7 global incident response effort over several weeks in relation to a multifaceted systems and controls issue.
    • Advised a major software provider and BSA | The Software Alliance, the leading trade association for the global software industry, during the legislative process relating to the GDPR (2012-2016).
    • Advised a leading cloud computing provider on compliance with security and incident reporting obligations under the EU Directive on security of network and information systems (the NIS Directive) and national laws.
    • Advised a global risk solutions business on the acquisition of a digital identity platform to help combat fraud online.
    • Represented a multinational medical devices and health care company on data privacy issues relating to the spin-off of its pharmaceuticals business.
    • Represented a major software provider at the Court of Justice of the EU in a case relating to counterfeit software and the exhaustion of rights under the Software Directive.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Credentials
    Education
    • Nottingham Law School, 2008
        • Postgraduate Diploma in Commercial Intellectual Property
    • College of Law, London, L.P.C., 2004
    • Glasgow Graduate School of Law, 2003
        • LL.M. in Technology Law
        • Distinction
    • University of Edinburgh, 1999
        • LL.B. (Joint Hons. French)
    • Université Paul Cézanne Aix-Marseille III, 1998
        • Erasmus Exchange
    Bar Admissions
    • Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales
    Languages
    • French
    Pro Bono
    • Advising Privacy International, the privacy-rights NGO, with respect to emerging EU and other privacy and data retention laws (2007-2012).
    Accolades
    • Chambers UK, Data Protection and Information Law (2014-2022)
    • Who's Who Legal, Global Leader - Data Privacy and Protection (2021-2022)
    • Chambers UK, Parliamentary & Public Affairs (2013-2014), recognised as “an expert on data protection law and policy”
    • Legal 500 UK, Data Protection (2016) and Public Affairs (2011)
    • Sports, Media and Entertainment Team of the Year (Intellectual Property Magazine Awards, 2010)
    Memberships and Affiliations
    • IAPP   
    • Society for Computers and Law
    Previous Experience
    • Trained with and qualified into the IP department of a leading City of London law firm
    • First Data International, seconded to the in-house legal team
    • BBC, Vodafone, the Times newspaper, legal internships
    • PricewaterhouseCoopers, IT Management Consultant

    Areas of Expertise

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