Bio
Ann LaFrance lectures on comparative privacy law at UC Law SF. Ann brings to the table decades of experience working as a lawyer in private practice and in-house, advising a wide range of clients on evolving laws and regulations governing the internet, emerging technologies and data.
Over the past decade, Ann’s work has focused on national and cross-border issues involving information governance, data privacy and protection, and cybersecurity. She founded and served as global Co-Chair of the Data Privacy & Cybersecurity Law Practice of Squire Patton Boggs, based in the U.S. and the UK. Among other responsibilities, Ann led the firm’s data protection teams advising clients around the world on compliance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation, the California Consumer Privacy Act and other emerging U.S. state privacy laws, China’s Personal Information Privacy Law and Brazil’s General Data Protection Law.
Ann also served as Chief International Counsel and Senior Vice President of global telecommunications and internet provider, MCI Communications Corp. (now Verizon), from 1996-2004. In that capacity, she had responsibility for the company’s legal and regulatory matters outside the U.S., including its compliance with the EU General Data Protection Directive and the EU ePrivacy Directive.
Ann has been a longstanding member of the Board of Directors of the International Institute of Communications, a UK-based organization dedicated to serving as a neutral global platform for the discussion of legal and policy initiatives affecting digital communications and media, including cybersecurity and privacy. She is frequently invited to speak on digital communications and information governance issues and has published widely on these topics. She currently acts as an independent consultant and lecturer.
Education
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Georgetown University Law School
J.D. 1980 -
Georgetown University School of Foreign Service
Master of Science in Foreign Service, with Honors 1980 -
Middlebury College
B.A., Summa Cum Laude 1976