Julia counsels on compliance issues in relation to European and French tech and data regulations, including:
the GDPR;
the Digital Services Act;
the EU AI Act and the regulation of AI more generally,
the Data Act;
the Cyber Resilience Act;
the NIS2 Directive;
and other new and emerging legislation impacting online platforms, technology developers, and eCommerce businesses. She advises companies of all sizes on a wide range of compliance matters, ranging the drafting of internal policies, to assisting with regulatory investigations, product counseling and regulatory engagement.
In the context of strategic transactions covering significant and complex technological issues, she is involved in the drafting and negotiation of agreements relating to data transfer, IT, software, content and brand licensing.
Julia is deeply familiar with the commercial considerations’ clients face, having practiced in-house at Twitter, Financial Times and CBS for more than a decade prior to joining Orrick. Julia also teaches a course on AI contracts for the Master's program in AI Law at a leading French university and acts as a mentor for students.
Having focused on privacy law for over a decade, Daniel provides comprehensive privacy and cybersecurity advisory support to clients. He further focuses on AI, data, and other technology-related matters. Daniel also possesses significant experience regarding legal disputes including litigation matters and authority proceedings.
He is a Co-Chair of the International Association of Privacy Professionals’ (IAPP) KnowledgeNet Chapter in Munich and has obtained the certifications / designations Artificial Intelligence Governance Professional (AIGP), Certified Information Privacy Professional / Europe (CIPP/E), Certified Information Privacy Professional / United States (CIPP/US), Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM), and Fellow of Information Privacy (FIP) from the IAPP.
Daniel is recommended in the 2025 Legal 500 Data protection rankings as a key lawyer of Orrick’s related German practice. Testimonials gathered by Legal 500 state: “Daniel Ashkar is an outstanding lawyer with outstanding knowledge of current developments in the field of data protection law. His passion for data protection law and precision in his advice is unmatched. It is a pleasure to work with him.”; “Daniel Ashkar: Partner material, binding, creative, and practice-oriented.” He has further been recognized by the leading German business journal Handelsblatt / Best Lawyers in the category Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch - Attorneys of the Future under the practice area Data Security and Privacy Law.
Daniel wrote his doctoral thesis on data privacy law and regularly publishes and speaks on privacy and AI related topics.
Prior to joining Orrick, Daniel was an in-house counsel for a German automotive manufacturer and for one of the largest reinsurance corporations in the world. Due to his in-house experience at these large German multinationals, he has a particular understanding of globally operating clients’ needs and requirements. Daniel started his career at another global law firm where he worked for several years with a main focus on data privacy as well as dispute resolution and litigation matters.
Anna advises clients on meeting the complex requirements of federal, state, and international privacy frameworks, with particular focus on the needs of cross-border projects.
Prior to joining Orrick, Anna practiced as a barrister in London for ten years, representing clients in cross-border disputes and enforcement proceedings, both in court and international arbitration. Her experience has included matters in India, Japan, Russia, Egypt, Australia, Thailand, and Europe.
David collaborates with Orrick’s legal advisory teams, including the litigation, regulatory and transactional practices to provide strategic business guidance to clients facing critical situations. He helps clients address reputational challenges and maximize the opportunities affecting their organizations and stakeholders. He serves as a trusted advisor to the C-suite and Boards across numerous industries around the world. He develops strategies for Congressional hearings, corporate layoffs, federal investigations, mergers and divestitures, multi-country recalls, executive transitions, organizational change management initiatives, cybersecurity and privacy incidents and legal and financial crises.
Prior to joining Orrick, David served as the Chief Marketing Officer at SonicWall, a global cybersecurity leader, where he revamped the marketing, communications and government relations functions. He also served as PNC Financial Services Group’s Chief Communications Officer where he modernized the function and led internal and external communications, responsible business, social media strategies, sponsorships and employee recognition. He also led public relations and communications for the credit card business at JPMorgan Chase and served as the Head of Global Communications for Nortel.
As a consultant, he helped launch and lead the global Data Security & Privacy Group at Edelman. He served as the general manager of Edelman’s Dallas, Texas and Shanghai, China offices and led the firm’s global Financial Comms & Special Circumstances and Crisis & Risk practices. He also served as the North American head of MSL Group’s Issues & Crisis Management Practice. David has appeared on CNN, ABC, PBS and several other broadcast outlets. He has been published in The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, USA Today, The Los Angeles Times, Newsweek and Forbes.com. His work has earned several awards, including being named to PRWeek’s Global Power Book and 40 Under 40, as well as earning their inaugural Corporate Public Relations Team of the Year award. He is a regular speaker at conferences and universities around the country
A native of Springfield, Ohio, David has three children and lives with his wife in the Dallas, Texas area. Away from the office, he enjoys spending time with his family, listening to music and cycling.
Prior to joining Orrick, James was an associate at Buckley LLP. Previously, he spent nearly 10 years as a Defense Analyst and a Senior Operations Research Analyst for the U.S. Army, where he focused on cybersecurity, defense policy, and program analysis. He also spent more than three years in the defense industrial base as an IT Project Manager and Policy Analyst.
James is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), a Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP), and a Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer (CDPSE). He is conversational in Mandarin.
Please do not include any confidential, secret or otherwise sensitive information concerning any potential or actual legal matter in this e-mail message. Unsolicited e-mails do not create an attorney-client relationship and confidential or secret information included in such e-mails cannot be protected from disclosure. Orrick does not have a duty or a legal obligation to keep confidential any information that you provide to us. Also, please note that our attorneys do not seek to practice law in any jurisdiction in which they are not properly authorized to do so.
By clicking "OK" below, you understand and agree that Orrick will have no duty to keep confidential any information you provide.