Mr Johnston works with companies to find solutions to their privacy and data protection problems. He helps organisations implement global privacy and data transfer programs and launch new, innovative technologies in Europe.

He also has particular expertise advising companies throughout their engagement with regulators and law enforcement agencies, including helping them to navigate and resolve complex investigations and enforcement action.

Commenting on his appointment, Philip Nolan, partner and head of privacy and data security, said: “I am pleased to announce Brian’s appointment. He brings extensive international expertise to the firm’s privacy and data security team, which is the foremost privacy law team in both Ireland and the EU.

“Brian’s appointment further strengthens the team’s capability to consistently deliver commercial and pragmatic advice to the world’s leading technology companies.”

Mr Johnston added: “I am delighted to join the partnership and continue my work with the privacy and data security team, solving complex global privacy problems for the world’s leading technology companies.

“It’s great to work with a team that both understands and foresees the challenges that clients come up against in this area and pro-actively finds solutions.”

Mr Johnston was previously a senior associate with Mason Hayes & Curran. Prior to joining the firm, he practised with a leading technology firm in London and in-house at Samsung as its European Data Protection Officer.