francine cunningham Mobile

Francine Cunningham

Regulatory and Public Affairs Director
Belgium Ireland

About Me

As Regulatory & Public Affairs Director in Brussels, I assist companies facing an unprecedented wave of new EU regulation that will have an impact on every business operating in the digital and data-related economy. I help companies navigate complex EU decision-making processes and understand the practical application of the law to their sectors.

With 20 years' experience of working in Brussels, in both the private and public sectors, I have a network of positive working relationships in the EU institutions. I help enterprises to prepare for the full range of regulatory challenges they need to address at European level.

My work involves alerting businesses to legislation in the pipeline that will impact their sector, helping clients to navigate EU decision-making processes and enabling them to engage effectively with regulators to ensure that their priority concerns are heard.

As issues often cut across multiple areas of law, I work closely with our specialist lawyers to help companies join the dots. Using our tailored online tools, I also assist clients in mapping multi-jurisdictional issues, such as the transposition of EU directives across the 27 Member States.
Cases
  • Analysis for a leading pharmaceutical company regarding the potential impact of the EU Artificial Intelligence Act on access to data in the healthcare sector.
  • Helping an international online company in the reviews & ratings sector to engage with decision-makers on the EU Digital Services Act.
  • Supporting a leading company in the mobility sector with its response to the European Commission's consultation on the EU Data Act.
  • Providing regular horizon-scanning newsletters on forthcoming global regulation in the field of intellectual property, audiovisual regulation and digital regulation to an international sports organisation.
  • Assisting a multinational plant-based food manufacturer with its engagement in the review process leading up to the adoption of the updated Common Markets Organisation (CMO) Regulation.
  • Providing strategic advice to one of the world's leading manufacturers of sustainable and innovative fibre-based solutions in the context several international trade cases from 2019 to 2022.
Education

Studied

  • KU Leuven, LLM in Intellectual Property & ICT Law
  • King's College London, Master of Arts, UK, EU and US Copyright Law
  • Harvard University Kennedy School of Government, EU Fulbright Scholarship

Latest insights

More Insights
abstract colourful lines of code

AI Act on track to be formally adopted ahead of the European elections

Feb 21 2024

Read More
Multiple Magnifying Glasses on teal background

Which countries have appointed their Digital Services Coordinators under the DSA?

Feb 14 2024

Read More

Technical efforts underway to push AI Act across the finish line

Feb 07 2024

Read More

News & Deals

More News & Deals

News

Bird & Bird appoints leading data protection, IP and technology specialists to join new Irish office

May 26 2022

Read More

News

Bird & Bird launches Public Affairs practice in Brussels with the appointment of Francine Cunningham as Senior Public Affairs Manager

Sep 02 2018

Read More

What's on TwoBirds TV?

More Videos