Image of Denise Kara

Denise Kara

Senior Associate

Denise specialises in data protection, privacy, AI and cybersecurity, with a particular focus on data technology/IT, and commercial transactions.

Denise advises international clients on a wide range of data protection, privacy, AI, data, and cybersecurity matters, including in relation to Australia’s privacy laws (and reforms) and cybersecurity laws, the EU and UK General Data Protection Regulation, e-privacy laws, artificial intelligence regulation, and international data transfers. Denise has in-depth knowledge across various industries, including private equity, asset management, financial services, healthcare, telecommunications, technology, and e-commerce.

Denise regularly advises companies on the various laws in the new EU Digital Strategy Package, including the EU AI Act, the EU Digital Services Act, the EU Data Act and the new cyber laws. Drawing on her experience advising clients on GDPR and other global compliance projects, she assists clients with the development and implementation of AI and digital data compliance projects. She has also gained experience counselling clients on EU telecoms and electronic communications issues.

Denise assists clients in preparing for, and responding to, sophisticated cybersecurity incidents. Her practice has a particular focus on transactional matters and deal counselling for mergers and acquisitions related to privacy, cybersecurity and data protection compliance, as well as risk mitigation and integration planning strategies. She is also involved in negotiating and advising clients on data privacy and security terms as part of technology transactions, including drafting and negotiating data protection and processing addendums, purchase agreements, and transitional services agreements. She regularly advises companies on the use of data in the provision of consumer and business products, including on issues relating to repurposing of data, profiling, AI, ad-tech and direct marketing. 

Prior to A&O Shearman, Denise was a senior managing associate for a global U.S. headquartered law firm for several years based in London where she specialised in European and UK data protection, privacy, and cybersecurity law and regulation.

Qualifications

Admissions

Admitted as a solicitor (New South Wales) and the High Court of Australia 2011

Academic

LLB (Hons), Flinders University of South Australia 2011

Bachelor of Behavioural Science, Flinders University of South Australia 2011

Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.