Bird & Bird

Technology & Communications; Privacy & Data Protection

Riku Rauhanen is a Senior Associate in our Commercial and Privacy & Data Protection groups in Helsinki, where he works with our local and international clients advising them on data protection, other data regulation, and commercial contracts.

Riku has extensive experience in providing legal advice on various data protection issues. His work covers all aspects of privacy and data protection law, including negotiating data processing agreements, carrying out data protection impact assessments and implementing multijurisdictional data protection projects. He has advised a wide variety of clients from public bodies to multinational technology companies on data protection law.

In addition to privacy and data protection, Riku also specialises in other data regulation. His particular area of interest is the EU's artificial intelligence regulation.  Riku is part of Bird & Bird's global network of AI experts. In addition to data-related councelling, Riku also provides guidance on contract law issues. He has extensive experience of drafting and negotiating different types of contracts as well as supporting clients with interpreting contracts and resolving contract-related conflicts.

Prior to joining Bird & Bird, Riku worked for a few years as an in-house legal counsel for a global energy company focusing on data protection, commercial contracts, and consumer protection. He has extensive practical experience in providing legal advice in the context of international business. Due to Riku's in-house experience, he has a business-oriented approach and can provide his clients with practical legal advice.

Riku graduated with a Master of Laws degree from the University of Lapland in 2015. After graduating from law school in Finland, he has also completed a Master of Laws degree at the University of Nottingham in England. Riku is a member of the Finnish IT Law Association and the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP). In addition, he has completed the CIPP/E data protection certificate and he frequently lectures and speaks at privacy and data protection seminars.

Finnish, English

Member of the Finnish Bar Association

Member of the Finnish IT Law Association

Member of the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP)

LL.M. University of Nottingham 2016

LL.M University of Lapland 2015

LL.B University of Lapland 2014