Riku Rauhanen

I am a Senior Associate in our Commercial and Privacy & Data Protection groups in Helsinki, where I work with our local and international clients advising them on data protection, other data regulation, and commercial contracts.

I have extensive experience in providing legal advice on various data protection issues. My work covers all aspects of privacy and data protection law, including negotiating data processing agreements, carrying out data protection impact assessments and implementing multijurisdictional data protection projects. I have advised a wide variety of clients from public bodies to multinational technology companies on data protection law. In addition to privacy and data protection, I also specialise in other data regulation. My particular area of interest is the EU's artificial intelligence regulation. I am part of Bird & Bird's global network of AI experts. In addition to data-related work, I have drafted and negotiated different kinds of commercial agreements.

Prior to joining Bird & Bird, I worked for a few years as an in-house legal counsel for a global energy company focusing on data protection, commercial contracts, and consumer protection. I have extensive practical experience in providing legal advice in the context of international business. Due to my in-house experience, I have a business-oriented approach and I can provide my clients with practical legal advice.

I graduated with a Master of Laws degree from the University of Lapland in 2015. After graduating from law school in Finland, I have also completed a Master of Laws degree at the University of Nottingham in England. I am a member of the Finnish IT Law Association and the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP). In addition, I have completed the CIPP/E data protection certificate and I frequently lecture and speak at privacy and data protection seminars.

I work fluently in English and Finnish.