James Lloyd advises clients on complex cybersecurity, privacy, and regulatory matters across multiple jurisdictions.

James leverages extensive experience across a broad range of regulatory frameworks — including the GDPR, ePrivacy Directive, NIS/NIS2, DORA, and related cyber resiliency legislation — to help clients navigate:

  • Cyber incidents, including subsequent litigation
  • Standalone regulatory investigations involving privacy compliance issues
  • Risks related to AI and other emerging technologies
  • Cyber- and privacy-related internal investigations

He regularly advises clients on cybersecurity and privacy issues across the risk life cycle relating to a wide range of threats, including:

  • State-linked advanced persistent threat (APT) activity
  • Ransomware, extortion, and destructive malware
  • Business email compromise (BEC) and impersonation attacks
  • Insider threats and employee misconduct
  • Third-party and supply chain breaches
  • Software and cloud infrastructure vulnerabilities
  • Security flaws in commercial products and platforms

James helps clients across the UK, the EU, APAC, and the Middle East navigate complex regulatory environments and fast-moving situations. He regularly leads all facets of legal and strategic workstreams during incidents, and supports coordinated global responses.

He is a member of the firm’s Mentoring Committee.

James engages across jurisdictions with data protection and cyber regulators, including:

  • The UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
  • Ireland’s Data Protection Commission (DPC)
  • France’s Commission nationale de l’informatique et des libertés (CNIL)
  • Italy’s Garante per la protezione dei dati personali (Garante)

His recent experience includes representing:

Regulatory Investigations

  • A global technology company in investigations by EU CSIRTs and national data protection authorities following a major cybersecurity incident
  • A leading social media platform on regulatory inquiries by the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and Ireland’s Data Protection Commission (DPC) relating to its launch and use of AI-powered functionality
  • A data analytics firm in an ICO investigation into its data processing activities and a subsequent monitorship addressing broader compliance practices
  • A China-based AI communications provider in responding to an ICO investigation into its UK-facing privacy operations
  • A fintech and crypto services provider during a DPC enforcement action regarding data security and privacy governance
  • A consumer goods company in an ICO-led investigation into its direct marketing and customer engagement practices
  • A major social media company in parallel ICO and DPC investigations examining its privacy-by-design approach

Privacy Litigation

  • An online dating company in defending claims brought by individuals affected by cybersecurity breach*
  • A technology company in pursuing a claim against cyber attackers that led to the misappropriation of funds*
  • Individuals in pursuing a claim arising out of a campaign of harassment*
  • An identity verification company in a dispute with supplier over a breach of licensing terms*
  • A property investment company in defending a claim brought by a client in connection with a personal data breach*

Cybersecurity and Privacy Investigations & Enforcement

  • An international charity in a ransomware attack affecting thousands of individuals and coordinating responses to regulatory investigations*
  • A medical equipment manufacturer in a ransomware attack affecting records of individuals in Europe*
  • A major consumer goods company in a network intrusion affecting records of individuals in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East*
  • An identity verification company in assessment notice (data protection audit) process and subsequent monitorship*
  • A China-based electronics manufacturer in an internal investigation into data protection practices and potential ICO investigation*
  • An e-commerce platform in a cyberattack involving theft of hundreds of thousands of records, including ensuing notifications to regulators and individuals in Europe, Asia, and Africa*
  • A major university in a ransomware attack that compromised records worldwide*
  • A financial institution in a security breach affecting thousands of records in Europe, including ensuing notification to regulator*
  • An IT service management company in a security breach brought about by a “white hat” hacker affecting thousands of records in Europe*
  • An identity verification company in a security breach at a third-party supplier that affected thousands of sensitive records*
  • A management software vendor in a security breach affecting North America and Europe*

*Matter handled prior to joining Latham

Bar Qualification

  • England and Wales (Solicitor)

Education

  • LPC, The University of Law
    with distinction
  • LLB (Hons), The University of Law
  • BS (Hons), University of Sheffield