Alan L. Friel is chair of the firm’s Data Privacy, Cybersecurity & Digital Assets Practice. BTI Consulting Group has named Alan a Client Service All-Star, recognizing lawyers who stand above all others in delivering the absolute best in client service. He is tier-1 ranked by Chambers and has been recognized by leading industry groups and publications.
Alan is a thought leader in digital media, intellectual property, data privacy and protection, and consumer protection law, with over three decades of relevant experience to address the intersection of law and technology.
Having served as a general counsel for several years in the late 1990s before returning to private practice, Alan has the necessary expertise to advise clients on making practical and informed business decisions, and help companies and entrepreneurs navigate the complex opportunities created by disruptive technology. With his in-house and private practice experience, he assists clients with creating data inventories, and information governance and data privacy and security programs; developing and implementing policies and procedures for providing consumer data privacy transparency, choice and access; drafting and negotiating privacy and data security provisions for commercial contracts; evaluating privacy impact assessments; addressing data privacy and security issues in merger and acquisitions transactions; structuring personal data transfer arrangements (including cross-border, intracompany, sales and licenses, and disclosures that are exempt from, and/or comply with, certain legal restrictions); drafting and revising external and internal privacy and data security policies and procedures; and addressing complex intellectual property and consumer protection issues related to digital media, advertising and commerce, such as in connection with the development and deployment of artificial intelligence, tailored and targeted advertising practices, and digital transformation and data commercialization strategies.
Alan has been helping shape law and public policy regarding digital media since he was the Sherwood Shafer Fellow at the American Civil Liberties Union from 1992-1994, addressing the potential benefits and risks of the then emerging Internet, and has made the evolution of data technologies, and corresponding regulation, the focus of his legal practice. Alan remains at the forefront of emerging media and tech, advising publishers and other online services, advertisers, ad tech companies, marketing services providers, data brokers, e-commerce merchants, software and SaaS/PaaS providers, and other data controllers and processors of all sorts, on related legal issues. He also works closely with his clients’ trade organizations, such as the Internet Advertising Bureau and the Association of National Advertisers, and privacy professional organizations such as the IAPP and Bay Area Digital Marketing and Privacy Workgroup.
Alan is a sought-after speaker. He is affiliated with UCLA as an assistant professor in a multidisciplinary project at the Graduate School of TV, Film and Digital Media, and is an adjunct professor at Loyola Marymount School of Law. He and others in our Data Privacy, Cybersecurity & Digital Assets Practice supervise and manage law students from U.C. San Francisco (formerly Hastings) in a clinical program that provides pro bono legal services to non-profits and start-ups.
Prior to joining the firm, Alan served in several leadership capacities at other AmLaw 100 firms. This included chairing a global technology, media and telecommunications practice and as the coordinator of a consumer privacy practice.
Privacy and Data Protection
Advertising, Marketing and Digital Media
Sports and Entertainment
Other
Best Lawyers in America, Southern California, Advertising Law, 2026.
2026 Data Privacy Law Expert of the Year in California, Leaders in Law
Chambers USA, Nationwide Privacy & Data Security: Adtech, Band 1, 2023-2025
Thomson Reuters, Stand-out Lawyer, 2023-2025
Los Angeles Times, 2023 Legal Visionary
Los Angeles Business Journal, Top 100 Lawyers of Los Angeles for 2023
National Law Journal, Trailblazer for Media and Advertising Law in 2023
Best Lawyers in America, Advertising Law, Media Law, and Privacy & Data Security Law 2023.
Legal Visionaries, 2022, The Los Angeles Times.
Privacy Lawyer of the Year (US), Finance Monthly.
BTI Consulting Group, Client Service All-Star.
“Alan Friel is especially knowledgeable about privacy and technology issues involved in advertising. ‘He is extremely knowledgeable and provides concise and to-the-point advice. He is quite practical and thorough.’ and ‘extremely personable, and responsive’” – Chambers USA 2021.
“Alan is especially knowledgeable about privacy and technology issues involved in advertising. He is a ‘strong player in this space’ and ‘a very good negotiator.’” – Chambers USA 2020.
Chambers USA, Nationwide Advertising: Transactional & Regulatory, 2019 to present.
Legal 500 US, Media, Technology and Telecoms – Advertising and Marketing: Transactional & Regulatory, 2018 to 2020.
Best Lawyers in America, California: Advertising Law, 2020 to present, and Media Law and Privacy and Data Security Law, 2023.
Los Angeles Business Journal’s Most Influential Lawyers: Digital Media and E-Commerce Law.
Martindale-Hubbell: AV Preeminent.
American Lawyer Media: Top Rated Lawyers in Technology.
Adjunct Professor at Loyola Law School.
Member, Cybersecurity Advisory Board of California State University – Chico.
Speaker, “State Privacy and AI Law Updates,” CeriFi LegalEdge, September 2025.
Co-author, “Making Sense of the Patchwork of U.S. State Consumer Privacy Laws,” TechREG Chronicle, CPI, November 2024.
Speaker, “US Regulators Lift the Curtain on Data Practices with Assessment, Reporting, & Audit Requirements,” 2024 ARMA California Summer Conference, June 2024.
Moderator, “An Ocean In-Between – Harmonizing and Diverging US & EU Standards in AI,” ITechLaw 2024 World Technology Law Conference, May 2024.
Speaker, “Data Discovery and Classification – New Challenges for Data Compliance,” Round Table Discussion Compliance Virtual Discussion & Speed Networking Event, February 2024.
Speaker, “The Compliance Chasm: Business Practicality vs. Consumer Privacy Acts,” Round Table Discussion Compliance Virtual Discussion & Speed Networking Event, November 2023.
Speaker, “Drafting Vendor Agreements to Comply With CPRA,” Stafford Webinars, October 2023.
Co-author, “FTC Proposal Greatly Widens Auto-Renewal Regulation,” Law360, April 2023.
Speaker, “Consumer Privacy: What You Need to Know About the New State Privacy Laws,” 2022 ANA/BAA Marketing Law Conference, November 8-10, 2022.
Speaker, “How to Build a Privacy Compliance Program to Address 4, 5,… 20 State Privacy Laws,” 2022 IP Institute, November 4, 2022.
Speaker, “Publicity and Privacy Issues for Media and Advertising,” ACC Sports and Entertainment Conference, October 18, 2022.
Panelist, “Navigating Cross-border Challenges Relating to HR Data Protection and Employee Right-to-Work Compliance,” BABC Webinar, October 12, 2022.
Speaker, “Navigating Opportunities and Challenges: Cross-border Data, the Cookiepocalypse and Standard Contractual Clauses,” Webinar, May 23, 2022.
Speaker, “Preparing for 2023: Tools and Tips to be Ready for New US Privacy Laws,” Global Data Review Webinar, April 5 2022.
Speaker, “Data Retention: The Blind Spot in Your Privacy Program,” Compliance Week’s Cyber Risk & Data Privacy Summit, February 15-16, 2022.
Co-author, “Brand’s Influencer Marketing Practices in Regulators’ Crosshairs on Both Sides of the Atlantic,” The Licensing Journal, January 2022.
Co-Presenter, “Data – The ‘New Gold’ or the ‘New Liability’,” PrivacyOC’s PrivacyNext Summit 2022, January 26, 2022.
Speaker, “California Privacy: What Direction is Next for CCPA and CRPA?,”2021 ANA/BAA Marketing Law Conference, November 15-17, 2021.
Speaker, “New & Emerging Technologies in Digital Advertising & Public Policy Considerations,” NAI, November 10, 2021.
Speaker, “Data Privacy-LIVE”, Roundtable Discussion, October 28, 2021.
Speaker, “Data For Good: Empowering Innovation Through Ethical Uses of Data,” IAPP Privacy. Security. Risk. 2021, October 21-22, 2021.
Speaker, “Applying OneTrust to Key Learnings From the CA AG’s Examples of CCPA Non-Compliance,” TrustWeek Conference, October 12-15, 2021.
Speaker, “COVID-19’s Impact on Data Privacy, Protection & Security: USA Perspective,” Global Data Privacy ConfEx – LIVE Virtual Conference, USA, September 29, 2021.
Speaker, “Evolving Consumer Privacy Requirements,” SW Ohio ACC, September 22, 2021.
Panelist, “Review of California AG CCPA Non-Compliance Actions,” Webinar, September 9, 2021.
Panelist, “Are You Prepared For a Cookieless Future,” ANA, July 29, 2021.
Panelist, “Why Data Privacy, Security and Asset Management Are Crucial for Start-ups,” Venture Law Meetup Webinar Series, June 28, 2021.
Panelist, “Advertising Webinar,” Bet Tzedek, June 23, 2021.
Speaker, “Technology in Enforcement: How Technology is Impacting the Investigation and Prosecution of Crime and Cybercriminals,” Society for Policing of Cyberspace, Webinar, June 16, 2021.
Speaker, “Key Components of a Successful Legal GRC Strategy,” Little Big Stage, June 10, 2021.
Speaker, “Part II: Mobile,” SoCal ACC, June 2, 2021.
Speaker, “Advertising and Retail Law for Small Businesses,” Los Angeles County Consumer & Business Affairs and Bet Tzedek, May 27, 2021.
Panelist, “CCPA Workshop,” Privacy + Security Forum, May 24, 2021.
Speaker, “Part 1: Consumer Privacy,” SoCal ACC, May 19, 2021.
Panelist, “California Consumer Privacy 101 Explained,” ACG SV Privacy Program, May 5, 2021.
Speaker, “Trim Costs, Reduce Risks and Improve Compliance: Data Retention the Right Way,” IAPP Global Privacy Summit, May 5, 2021.
Editor, Privacy and Data Protection chapter, CCH and Wolters Kluwer Corporate Legal Compliance Handbook, 2007 – current.
Author, “Practice Note on Direct Marketing Regulations and Codes,” Thompson Reuters Practical Law, December 23, 2020.
Co-Author, “California: What CPRA Will Mean for Businesses, Consumers, and US Privacy Landscape,” One Trust/Data Guidance, November 2020.
Panelist, “CPRA Funded Enforcement and More,” Privacy OC Fall Series, November 10, 2020.
Speaker, “2020 CCPA Final Regulations: Approved Modifications and Extensions of Employee and Business-to-Business Exemptions,” Strafford, November 5, 2020.
Panelist, “Impact of CPRA on Digital Advertising,” Privacy + Security Academy, Virtual Fall Forum, October 21-23, 2020.
Co-Author, “Global Practice Guide: Advertising & Marketing 2020,” Chambers & Partners, October 2020.
Speaker, “Cybersecurity and Global Compliance,” PLI Compliance & Ethics Essentials program, September 22-23, 2020.
Speaker, “AdTech in View of Privacy Regulations,” IAPP San Diego KnowledgeNet Chapter, August 6, 2020.
Speaker, “Cybersecurity, Privacy & Data Protection: Audit, Risk & Regulatory Compliance,” IG3 West, July 29-30, 2020.
Speaker, “The Future of Ad Tech under CCPA and CPRA,” IAPP’s Virtual KnowledgeNet, July 16, 2020.
Speaker, “Implementing a Technology-enabled Data Privacy Program: Notes from the Field,” Epiq, July 15, 2020.
Author, “California: Provisions of the CPRA,” One Trust/Data Guidance, July 2020.
Speaker, “Is Your CCPA Consumer Privacy Response Stuck?” Privageo, June 25, 2020.
Panelist, “States Take the Lead on Privacy,” KnowIt’s Intellectual Property in a Digital World Conference, May 11-13, 2020.
Speaker, “Privacy Law Webinar Series, Part 1: A CCPA Q&A with the Tag Management Vendors,” Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), April 24, 2020.
Presenter, “Optimizing Data Privacy & Security,” CIO Leadership Forum, March 18, 2020.
Speaker, “CCPA and Recruiting: What You Need To Know,” Workable, February 19, 2020.
Speaker, “AdTech Under CCPA and CPRA,” OC’s Orange County Privacy Law Conference, January 2020.
Contributor, “What to Expect in 2020: A World Tour,” Thomson Reuters Practical Law, January 2020.
Panelist, “4 Bet-The-Job Questions for Privacy Professionals in 2020,” Exterro/IAPP, December 2019.
Panelist, “Practical Insights on Building CCPA Compliance,” IAPP San Francisco KnowledgeNet chapter, November 21, 2019.
Speaker, “California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and its Impacts on Businesses,” Capital Alpha Partners, November 14, 2019.
Speaker, “Digital Advertising: The CCPA Dilemma,” 2019 ANA/BAA Marketing Law Conference, November 4-6, 2019.
Author, “California: CCPA Rights and Obligations Clearer Following Amendment Bills and Proposed Regulations,” Data Guidance, November 2019.
Panelist, “The Impact of CCPA and Consumer Privacy Laws on Digital Advertising,” Privacy + Security Forum, October 14, 2019.
Author, “The California Consumer Privacy Act: Everything You Wanted to Know But Were Afraid to Ask — 100 Days Out – Part 1,” Law Journal Newsletters, October 2019.
Author, “The California Consumer Privacy Act: Everything You Wanted to Know But Were Afraid to Ask — 100 Days Out – Part 2,” Law Journal Newsletters, October 2019.
Panelist, Various Sessions, IAPP Privacy. Security. Risk. 2019, September 22-23, 2019.
Co-Author, “Guide: United States: Data Protection & Cyber Security,” Legal 500, June 2019.
Moderator, “CCPA and New U.S. Privacy Laws,” IG3 Mid-Atlantic Conference, June 26, 2019.
Author, “Ad and Publishing Industries Confront CCPA Challenges which Congress Considers Privacy,” Thomson Reuters Westlaw, June 24, 2019.
Co-Author, “Nevada Adds “Do Not Sell” Requirement to Privacy Law,” Thomson Reuters Westlaw, June 19, 2019.
Speaker, “AI and AdTech: Contractual, Ethical and Legal Issues,” 16th Annual Digital Economy Best Practices Conference hosted by Stanford Law School, June 10, 2019.
Co-Author, “California Radically Alters US Consumer Privacy Law,” Taylor Wessing Global Data Hub, April 2019.
Speaker, “California Consumer Privacy Act,” IAPP’s Atlanta KnowledgeNet Chapter meeting, April 16, 2019.
Co-Author, “United States: Ad Industry Groups Tackle CCPA Provisions In Open Letter,” Mondaq, March 2019.
Speaker, “Understanding Privacy Laws: Not Child’s Play,” Children’s Advertising Review Unit in Marina del Rey, Calif., March 6, 2019.
Panelist, “Intellectual Property Rights in the Media,” The Caucus for Producers, Writers and Directors, August 23, 2016.
Author, “Privacy Law Will Confuse Consumers, Businesses,” Daily Journal, September 23, 2013.
Author, “Calif. Privacy Bill Seeks Middle Ground With Online Ads,” Law360, September 2013.
Author, “10 Steps to Build a Privacy and Security Program,” Corporate Compliance Insights, September 2013.
Co-Author, “Safeguarding Brand Reputation In Social Media,” Law360, June 2013.
Co-Author, “5 Tips For Staying Ahead Of Mobile Privacy Enforcement,” Law360 Expert Analysis, April 2013.
Co-Author, “FTC Path Deal And Mobile Guide: A Warning To App Industry,” Law360 Expert Analysis, February 2013.
Author, “Growing Promotional Use of Social Media in the Government’s Crosshairs: The New FTC Guidelines,” M/E Insights, January 2010.
Author, “Navigating FTC’s Guidance on Social Media Marketing,” AdWeek, November 2009.