Dr. Axel Spies

Dr. Axel Spies is a partner in our Privacy & Cybersecurity and International practice groups, also licensed in Germany as an attorney.

He is a trusted advisor for organizations navigating the evolving intersections of technology, privacy, and global regulation and a prolific author. With decades of international experience—as an attorney in Washington, Brussels, Berlin, Moscow, and Germany, he has a long track record of handling complex cross-border matters ranging from licensing and competition to telecommunications, national and international data privacy, and AI - with excellent connections in Europe.  

Specifically, he counsels clients on European data privacy, including GDPR, EU-US Data Privacy Framework, cross-border data transfers, telecommunications, German corporate matters, EU sanctions, and plays a leading role in interpreting and implementing the new EU AI Act. He structures compliance programs for multinational corporations, guides global data flows, and advises on corporate transactions (M&A) and corporate policies, outsourcing, international eDiscovery, and international data breaches. He also trains client teams on GDPR, international eDiscovery, and AI Act compliance, holding a CIPP/E certificate from IAPP. 

A recognized thought leader with more than 25 years of legal experience, Axel has co-authored books and published more than 100 articles on various legal topics. He co-publishes the German Journal of Data Protection (ZD) that he co-founded, the European telecoms journal MultiMedia & Law (MMR), and serves as a correspondent for the American German Institute at Johns Hopkins University. His recent honors include recognition in Who’s Who Legal for both Data Privacy & Protection and Telecoms & Media (2024–2025). 

Axel is fluent in German, English, and French, with working knowledge of Russian, Dutch, and Italian, enhancing his ability to serve clients seamlessly across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. 

Recent Representative Matters

• Represent the German Competitive Carriers Association VATM as their “Washington desk” for almost 20 years
• Global privacy policy for a large international non-profit organization.
• Expert opinion for another large US non-profit on GDPR compliance issues in Germany.
• Expert opinion for a German foundation on GDPR healthcare issues.
• Update various US companies on legal developments in Brussels and Germany (new court cases, new legislative measures, and bills) and flag opportunities for comments.