Francesca Blythe

Partner, Sidley Austin LLP. Francesca advises international clients on a wide range of privacy, cybersecurity, data protection, artificial intelligence, and emerging technology issues. With in-depth experience across multiple industries, including technology, asset management and private equity, payments, retail, e-commerce, and manufacturing, Francesca helps organizations navigate complex regulatory frameworks, manage data breach incidents, and implement robust compliance strategies. Francesca has a particular focus on life sciences, where she advises on a broad range of issues in relation to clinical studies, secondary research, digital health, and use of novel technologies. Francesca co-leads Sidley’s benchmarking group for in-house data privacy professionals (dplegal) in the life sciences sector. Her ability to address the rapidly evolving landscape of data privacy, AI, and cybersecurity law enables her to provide strategic, forward-thinking solutions tailored to each client’s needs. Francesca was previously in-house counsel at the largest international health and beauty retailer in Asia and Europe. While there, she regularly gave advice on compliance and strategies relating to data protection laws and assisted in the planning and delivery of a global privacy compliance project.