Leadership
Sergio Maldonado Elvira JD, LLM, FIP, CIPT, CIPP/E, CIPP/US
Principal Attorney
Sergio Maldonado Elvira is a triple-admitted attorney (California, Spain, England & Wales) with a programming background, specialized in AI governance, data protection, and comparative/IT law. His 25-year career spans the US, Spain, Belgium, and the UK. He is also a twice-exited startup founder.
Recent articles
- Legal AI vs. AI-native law firms
- Combining Privacy Protection with a Smooth Internet Browsing Experience Through Built-in Opt-Out Signals
- Accountability and third-party vetting in the age of wild automation
- The US internet is falling prey to the consent-banner plague. A more effective opt-out system will soon deliver greater agency
- Consent or Pay in the EU: a timeline
- How the Digital Content Directive will break the GDPR
- Avoiding the scope of the ePrivacy Directive in advertising
Legal Credentials
Attorney, State Bar of California (since 2026)
Abogado, ICAM, Spain (since 1998)
Solicitor, Law Society of England & Wales (2003-2007)
Education
LL.M in IT & Internet Law (Merit), Queen Mary University of London
JD, UPV/EHU
Languages
English, Spanish, French
Expert & Advisor
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Member of the European Data Protection Board's "Pool of Experts", providing specialist input on data protection issues.
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Official Instructor for the IAPP CIPP/E, CIPT, and CIPP/US courses (DPO School, AllNetLaw).
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Frequent guest lecturer at universities and professional programs on topics of privacy, data protection, and digital business.
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Fractional General Counsel to various Marketing Technology SaaS startups.
Entrepreneurship
Founder of multiple organizations at the intersection of law, technology, and data:
Maldonado & Associates
London-based law firm (2003-2006)
Divisadero
Analytics consultancy, later acquired by Merkle
Sweetspot
Marketing technology, now part of ClickDimensions
PrivacyCloud
Privacy-centric data solutions
Publications & Commentary
Masters of Privacy Podcast
Regular commentator on the intersection of personal data, marketing, and technology.
Civitas-Aranzadi, 2002
Internet Law for the Enterprise
Co-author. Addresses legal aspects of internet use for businesses.
ESIC, 2010
Web Analytics: Measure to Win
Author. Focuses on web analytics, business, and regulatory implications.