Joe Brennan
Experience includes both law firm, in-house legal roles (GC, CLO), and non-legal roles (e.g., CIO, CCO); leading institutional innovation, technology development/service delivery, and global compliance programs
Regularly counsels on US privacy and cybersecurity law, as well as in Canada, China, and other global regulatory environments
Represented high-growth technology companies (both US and EU-based), in diverse and often highly-regulated industries: IoT, consulting services, software, SaaS/PaaS, logistics, social media, marketing, consumer preference research, financial services, and others.
Advises on all technology transactions, from highly-strategic enterprise engagements to day-to-day transactions
Entrepreneurial (has worked in three start-ups!), creative and deeply committed to providing pragmatic and actionable guidance
FUN FACT!
Joe both plays and repairs vintage guitars … and imagines a future building high-quality acoustic and electric guitars
About Joe
Joe Brennan joined InfoLawGroup in April 2024. Joe brings more than 25 years of experience as a technology and corporate attorney to ILG, with ‘hands-on’ experience that spans government, start-up, law firm and in-house positions. Joe has also served as a CIO (leading institution-wide technology planning and support) and COO (leading global compliance planning and program maintenance).
Prior to joining ILG, Joe served as the Chief Legal and Compliance Officer for QualSights, a leading consumer insights research company based in Chicago, IL. Prior to that, in private practice, Joe advised numerous start-up and high growth technology companies (US and EU-based) with regard to technology transactions, privacy, data security, marketing, general US compliance, and a variety of corporate matters (from corporate formation to fundraising and growth). In addition, Joe has held positions such as, General Counsel of T-Systems North America, Inc., an enterprise telecommunications and BPO service provider, and a subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom AG; and General Counsel and CIO of The Field Museum in Chicago, IL, a public museum and scientific research/biological conservation institution with active programs in more than 26 countries annually.
Representative Experience
Led the development of a comprehensive global privacy (GDPR, CCPA/CPRA, China PIPL, other) and data security (SOC 2, HIPAA) program for a high-growth technology company as CLO/CCO.
Regularly advises companies (start-up to enterprise) on technology transactions, including technology/software development, IoT and telecommunications, vendor agreements, IP licenses, enterprise software licenses, SaaS/PaaS, business process outsourcing, and design services (web, product, marketing materials, etc.).
Works closely with clients to draft Privacy Policies and notices, data security-related policies (e.g., data retention policies), and related compliance documentation.
Advises on and drafts client and vendor data processing agreements (DPAs) and data security addendums (DSAs).
Counsels on and draft EULA terms and Terms of Sale/Service for online businesses.
Advises on training for security breach awareness, and on how to respond to security breach incidents.
Supports clients in all aspects of federal, state and local government interactions –– from affirmative communications to responses to inquiries and investigations.
Advises on privacy laws applicable to marketing, including CAN-SPAM and Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP)
Association of National Advertisers (ANA)
Bar Admission
Illinois, 1992
Education
Maurer School of Law (Indiana), JD, (cum laude), 1992
Vanderbilt University, BA, 1988