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Our expertise
We are a team of more than 600 professionals, with the depth of experience which makes us genuine experts in our fields. Together, gunnercooke’s people have strength across just about every corporate discipline and sector. We provide legal, commercial and strategic advice that delivers real value to the clients we work with, which span from multinational enterprises through to not-for-profit organisations. Our breadth of expertise covers some of the most interesting emerging disciplines such as charity, crypto, sports and competition law.
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The gunnercooke group has 16 main global offices across England, Scotland, the US, Germany and Austria, with further plans for growth in the coming years. These offices enhance the existing in-house capability of our dedicated international teams and dual-qualified experts that cover Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, Brazil, China, India, Poland and Hungary. Our team have clients across 123 jurisdictions, speak 46 languages and are dual-qualified in 21 jurisdictions. Our expertise means we can offer large teams to carry out complex cross-border matters for major international clients.
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Our story
gunnercooke is a Top 70 law firm. We comprise a rapidly growing number of experts spanning legal and other disciplines. Clients benefit from flexible options on fees to suit their needs, access to a wider network of senior experts throughout the relationship, and legal advice which is complemented by an understanding of the commercial aspects of running a business.
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Chris Elwell-Sutton
Expertise
Chris is a data protection and privacy specialist with deep AI and data governance expertise.
Recognised by Legal500, he combines partner-level private practice experience with senior in-house data protection roles across global organisations, advising on governance, strategy, privacy programmes and regulator engagement.
He supports UK and international clients – from fintechs and corporates to non-profits – on commercial contracts, cross-border data transfers and the data aspects of corporate, private equity and structured finance deals.
A proven expert in cyber incident response and subject access requests, Chris has advised on some of the UK’s largest data breaches and class actions, working directly with regulators and claimant lawyers to protect clients’ legal, regulatory and reputational position.
He regularly advises executive stakeholders on policy, strategy and risk, helping organisations understand and manage the data protection implications of AI deployment and global AI initiatives.
A recognised thought leader in data protection and AI governance, Chris leverages his industry experience to provide a “one-stop shop” data protection service. This practical, joined-up approach includes data governance reviews, process optimisation and fractional DPO support – a service he has delivered for clients including a UK regulator and a major international bank.
Chris Advises
Corporate clients across the UK, Europe and the USA in sectors including: Tech, Fintech, Financial Services, Non-profit and SME.
Career Highlights
- Led outsourced multinational DPO service for a major international bank
- Created data protection governance programme for multinational AI non-profit
- Advised a UK retail bank on data protection aspects of large-scale class action litigation
- Acting for a Big Four consultancy, developed data risk methodology for global tech initiatives
- Advised AI-driven behavioural analytics providers on GDPR and e-Privacy compliance
Career History
Previous Experience
- TLT – Partner
- Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce – Senior Privacy Counsel & DPO (Europe & APAC)
- Deloitte – Senior Privacy Lawyer
- OneSavings Bank – Senior Legal Counsel & DPO
Memberships
IAPP Credentials
- FIP – Fellow of Information Privacy
- CIPP/E – Certified Information Privacy Professional Europe
- CIPP/A – Certified Information Privacy Professional Asia
- CIPM – Certified Information Privacy Manager
Education
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Law – London
- BPP Law School – London
Other
- Chapter Chair, Scotland – ConnectCommunities by OneTrust
- Regular conference and seminar speaker.
- Writing and commentary in publications including the Financial Times and the Scotsman
Expertise
Back to top
Chris is a data protection and privacy specialist with deep AI and data governance expertise.
Recognised by Legal500, he combines partner-level private practice experience with senior in-house data protection roles across global organisations, advising on governance, strategy, privacy programmes and regulator engagement.
He supports UK and international clients – from fintechs and corporates to non-profits – on commercial contracts, cross-border data transfers and the data aspects of corporate, private equity and structured finance deals.
A proven expert in cyber incident response and subject access requests, Chris has advised on some of the UK’s largest data breaches and class actions, working directly with regulators and claimant lawyers to protect clients’ legal, regulatory and reputational position.
He regularly advises executive stakeholders on policy, strategy and risk, helping organisations understand and manage the data protection implications of AI deployment and global AI initiatives.
A recognised thought leader in data protection and AI governance, Chris leverages his industry experience to provide a “one-stop shop” data protection service. This practical, joined-up approach includes data governance reviews, process optimisation and fractional DPO support – a service he has delivered for clients including a UK regulator and a major international bank.
Chris Advises
Back to top
Corporate clients across the UK, Europe and the USA in sectors including: Tech, Fintech, Financial Services, Non-profit and SME.
Career Highlights
Back to top
- Led outsourced multinational DPO service for a major international bank
- Created data protection governance programme for multinational AI non-profit
- Advised a UK retail bank on data protection aspects of large-scale class action litigation
- Acting for a Big Four consultancy, developed data risk methodology for global tech initiatives
- Advised AI-driven behavioural analytics providers on GDPR and e-Privacy compliance
Career History
Back to top
Previous Experience
- TLT – Partner
- Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce – Senior Privacy Counsel & DPO (Europe & APAC)
- Deloitte – Senior Privacy Lawyer
- OneSavings Bank – Senior Legal Counsel & DPO
Memberships
IAPP Credentials
- FIP – Fellow of Information Privacy
- CIPP/E – Certified Information Privacy Professional Europe
- CIPP/A – Certified Information Privacy Professional Asia
- CIPM – Certified Information Privacy Manager
Education
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Law – London
- BPP Law School – London
Other
- Chapter Chair, Scotland – ConnectCommunities by OneTrust
- Regular conference and seminar speaker.
- Writing and commentary in publications including the Financial Times and the Scotsman
Testimonials
“Chris Elwell-Sutton managed the relationship with our company with expertise and attention to detail."
Legal500 – London - Data Protection
“Chris’ expertise, flexibility and ability to manage and influence other experts across Europe was key in achieving early success and setting the foundation for further development. A great team player.”
Paul Newson
Global Consulting Services AI Risk & Security Leader - Deloitte