Adele Harrison

Adele Harrison

Partner
Baker & McKenzie LLP

Biography

Adele is a barrister with a wide range of advocacy and investigations experience. She has worked on a number of high-profile international data breaches and regulatory investigations, working with forensics experts to help clients respond to cyberattacks.

Prior to her work in private practice, Adele practiced at the independent Bar for five years. She has experience in prosecuting and defending in a wide range of criminal law cases and has developed a practice focusing on fraud, white collar crime and regulatory law. Adele has conducted secondments with the Serious Fraud Office and Crown Prosecution Service on high profile banking fraud cases, as well as internships with the International Criminal Court and the New York State Division of Human Rights.

Practice Focus

Adele works with global clients to respond to cyberattacks and address subsequent regulatory investigations and litigation threats. Adele advises corporate clients on full spectrum of data privacy compliance and helps to develop privacy programs for both start-ups and established companies.

Adele is a subject matter authority in online safety legislation and EU cyber regulations. She advises clients on compliance with NIS2, DORA, the Digital Services Act, Online Safety Act and the Age-Appropriate Design Code.

Representative Legal Matters

  • Represented global online learning company in relation to a cyber-attack, advising on reporting requirements and data analysis.
  • Advised US banks in relation to data breaches.
  • Represented social media company in response to an ICO complaint.
  • Conducted internal investigation into GDPR compliance issues for one of the largest global SaaS providers. Became the point of contact for the company’s assistant GC for cybersecurity in advising on NIS2 and DORA.
  • Represented billion-dollar video sharing platform in relation to an Ofcom investigation and worked with them to respond to Ofcom information notices. Conducted in-depth due diligence exercise for privacy and cybersecurity controls.
  • Represented global travel company in relation to a cyber-attack which spanned many jurisdictions. Jointly led the internal investigation following the incident and reported findings to the global CIO.

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • International Association of Privacy - Member
  • Certified Information Privacy Professional - Europe (CIPP/E) designation from the International Association of Privacy Professionals

Admissions

  • England & Wales (Barrister) (2009)

Education

  • BPP Law School (Bar Vocational Course) (2009)
  • University of East Anglia (LLB) (2008)

Languages

  • English
  • Co-author, "Cyber and Data Security: Personal Liability for C-suite Executives," PLC Magazine, 30 January 2025
  • Author, "UK: The new Protection of Children Codes of Practice - what businesses need to know," Data Guidance, 1 July 2025
  • Co-author, "Does the UK's Age-Appropriate Design Code Apply to Your Business?," Lexology.com, 19 May 2023
  • Co-author, You May Be Subject as Well! Digital Services Act – What Companies Need to Know," CPITechREG Chronicle, 16 December 2022