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Yann Padova
Partner
Data, Privacy, and Cybersecurity
Brussels

D32-2-2745716

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  • Substantial Regulatory Investigations Experience

    Yann began his career as an Administrator at the French National Assembly, where he focused on personal data law and criminal law and criminal investigations. He also served as Secretary General of the CNIL—France’s data protection authority—where he notably built the CNIL’s enforcement and technological capacities. Yann was also involved in the early negotiation of the GDPR at the EU level.

  • Focused on Representing Clients in France and at the Pan-European Level

    In private practice, Yann has focused on enforcement and sanction proceedings by Regulators at the pan-European and French levels on complex cases involving cross-border processing and multinational companies.

  • Comprehensive Scope of Experience—From Regulatory Investigations to Privacy and Cybersecurity Matters

    In addition to regulatory investigations matters, Yann also advises companies on cybersecurity issues and internal investigations. His practice centers on finding innovative solutions for the novel regulatory responses that companies face.

  • Leadership Roles in International Privacy and Data Protection Organizations

    In 2019, Yann was appointed “country leader” for France by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP). He was also named “strategic advisor” from 2016 to 2019 by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) —the UK’s Data Protection Authority —on the interplay between innovation and regulation (“sandbox” initiative).

Yann Padova is a partner in the Brussels office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, where he is a member of the firm’s privacy and cybersecurity practice. He has extensive experience dealing with regulatory issues and with issues related to internet law, data protection, internet surveillance, cloud computing, international data transfers and cybercrime. He has also assisted numerous businesses with complex projects involving new technologies (ethics of algorithm, data and AI governance, biometrics, profiling, e-discovery procedures, etc.).

Yann advises on enforcement and sanction proceeding by regulators. He also works with large companies on problems linked to cybercrime, internal investigation and security breach notification matters.

Prior to joining Wilson Sonsini in 2023, Yann was a partner in the information technology group and head of the data protection practice at Baker McKenzie in France. Before joining Baker McKenzie, Yann served as Commissioner with the Commission de Régulation de l’Energie (CRE - 2015-2017), to which he was appointed by the President of the National Assembly due to his skills in the field of personal data. Before this appointment, he worked for Baker McKenzie in Paris as Senior Counsel in the information technology team (2012-2015).

For six years, he was Secretary General of the CNIL (2006-2012), the French data protection authority, where he built the enforcement and technological capacities of the authority and participated in the very first rounds of negotiations of the GDPR.

He began his career as an Administrator at the National Assembly (1995-2006) where he specialized in personal data laws, criminal law, and criminal investigations and, perhaps most notably, participated in the legal work that led to the transposition of the Directive 95/46 on data protection into French Law.

Yann is also a lecturer in Data Protection and Digital Regulations at Paris II Law University and at Sciences Po Paris.

Yann is fluent in English, French, and Spanish. He has a conversational level in Swedish.

Experience

Yann Padova is a partner in the Brussels office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, where he is a member of the firm’s privacy and cybersecurity practice. He has extensive experience dealing with regulatory issues and with issues related to internet law, data protection, internet surveillance, cloud computing, international data transfers and cybercrime. He has also assisted numerous businesses with complex projects involving new technologies (ethics of algorithm, data and AI governance, biometrics, profiling, e-discovery procedures, etc.).

Yann advises on enforcement and sanction proceeding by regulators. He also works with large companies on problems linked to cybercrime, internal investigation and security breach notification matters.

Prior to joining Wilson Sonsini in 2023, Yann was a partner in the information technology group and head of the data protection practice at Baker McKenzie in France. Before joining Baker McKenzie, Yann served as Commissioner with the Commission de Régulation de l’Energie (CRE - 2015-2017), to which he was appointed by the President of the National Assembly due to his skills in the field of personal data. Before this appointment, he worked for Baker McKenzie in Paris as Senior Counsel in the information technology team (2012-2015).

For six years, he was Secretary General of the CNIL (2006-2012), the French data protection authority, where he built the enforcement and technological capacities of the authority and participated in the very first rounds of negotiations of the GDPR.

He began his career as an Administrator at the National Assembly (1995-2006) where he specialized in personal data laws, criminal law, and criminal investigations and, perhaps most notably, participated in the legal work that led to the transposition of the Directive 95/46 on data protection into French Law.

Yann is also a lecturer in Data Protection and Digital Regulations at Paris II Law University and at Sciences Po Paris.

Yann is fluent in English, French, and Spanish. He has a conversational level in Swedish.

Focus Areas
Recent Insights
News Articles
Wilson Sonsini Attorneys Named to 2026 Lawdragon Leading Global Cyber Lawyers Guide
On May 8, 2026, Lawdragon announced its 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Cyber Lawyers guide, recognizing world leaders in privacy, data, security, and incident response, as well as the deals and lawsuits that revolve around all things cyber. The Wilson Sonsini attorneys named to the list included:
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Alerts
What’s Next for Age Assurance Laws in Europe?
Developments in law, regulatory guidance, and enforcement practice across Europe are leading to meaningful changes in how online services are offered to minors. A steady stream of announcements in recent months makes clear that this area will continue to develop at pace, requiring providers of online services to keep their approach to age assurance under regular review.
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Recent Events
Speaking Engagements
19th Annual CPDP.ai Conference
On May 19, Wilson Sonsini partner Yann Padova and Of Counsel Laura Brodahl will speak as part of the 19th Annual CPDP.ai Conference. CPDP offers cutting-edge insights into legal, regulatory, academic, and technological developments in privacy and data protection, and gathers academics, lawyers, practitioners, policymakers, industry representatives, and civil society from around the world, providing an arena to exchange ideas and discuss the latest emerging issues and trends.
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Speaking Engagements
Privacy and Data Governance Symposium 2026
On 21 April 2026, Wilson Sonsini partner Yann Padova will participate in the 2026 Privacy and Data Governance Symposium. The Privacy and Data Governance Symposium brings together data governance experts and professionals, authorities, international organizations, and the research community to discuss the latest developments and perspectives related to privacy and data governance. Speaking on the panel “Whispers to Machines: When Chatbots Become Evidence,” Yann and his fellow panelists will discuss rising regulatory concerns around generative AI chatbots and privacy policies. They will share insights on past uses of chatbots in legal and criminal proceedings, current guardrails and tools within the GDPR, and future measures that may strengthen protections for users.
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