Ahmed Baladi is a partner in the Paris office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. He is the Co-Chair of the firm’s Privacy, Cybersecurity and Data Innovation Practice Group and a member of the Artificial Intelligence and Technology Transactions Practice Groups.
Ahmed has developed renowned experience in a wide range of privacy matters including the implementation of global privacy compliance and governance programs tailored to complex and evolving regulations. He assists clients in navigating the intersection of privacy and other digital related regulations such as the AI Act, the DSA, the Data Act, and the NIS Directive. His practice also focuses on strategic counseling for the development and launching of data driven products and services. Ahmed regularly represents corporate and executives on investigations and procedures before data protection authorities and courts. He also advises a variety of clients on data breach and national security matters, including handling investigations, enforcement defense and crisis management.
Beyond regulatory compliance, Ahmed provides strategic counsel to clients seeking to leverage emerging technologies for competitive advantage. His practice covers strategic digital and technology projects such as the development or use of innovative solutions including Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, smart devices or industry 4.0 solutions. A broad range of clients from various sectors seek his pragmatic advice from the outset of their projects and Ahmed enables them to assess and implement innovative solutions where no clear legal guidance is available, bringing awareness on how such development or use could impact their operations and defining practical solutions.
Ahmed has received several accolades:
- Chambers Europe 2024 ranks Ahmed Band 1 for TMT: Data Protection and Band 2 in its TMT: Information Technology category. Clients assess: "In my view, Ahmed is brilliant. He does a fantastic job explaining the law to clients and always leaves a positive impression” ; “I know I can trust him to be responsive, efficient and business-oriented” ; “Ahmed is very business-oriented and he can be creative. I have worked with him on difficult projects in the past and it is very comfortable working with him because he is organized” ; “Ahmed is incredibly quick, articulate and easy to work with. He can distil down complex or messy issues to simple elements and address them in a straightforward manner.”
- Previous editions of Chambers described him as "on top of his game and a pleasure to work with" ; “a super business partner who finds excellent solutions” ; “efficient and reactive” and with “an excellent grasp of the sector;” “very smart and bright.” Other sources praise his negotiation skills, saying: “He is patient and always tries to find intelligent compromises” underlining his “reactivity and availability”, his “great judgement […] source of clear, calm advice under pressure” and the fact that he is “very patient, reactive, calm and balanced, especially in negotiations.” Sources consistently brand him as an “adept negotiator, pragmatic and practical,” who possesses “strong commercial and technical skills.” Many also note his ability to “understand complex and innovative projects very quickly, and to build a proposal that explores different legal areas but remains simple and clear.”
- Legal 500 EMEA 2024 has once more named Ahmed a Leading Individual for both Data Protection (Tier 1) and IT and internet (Tier 1) categories, with clients reacting “Ahmed is the market leader when it comes to advising on data protection issues as they apply to novel technologies.’”
- Previous editions of Legal 500 noted “Ahmed gives you great comfort when dealing with complex legal topics (whether at national level or on cross-border issues) or difficult business situations, and when having to navigate in grey areas. These are situations where you need to challenge yourself, share views and take decisions taking into account the regulations, but also, and equally importantly for a business, matching with the business interests. Ahmed’s legal expertise, deep business experience, hard-working capacity and humility at work make him a highly valued asset for our legal team.”
- Best Lawyers in France named Ahmed its 2025 Outsourcing “Lawyer of the Year”.
- Lawdragon has recognized Ahmed twice in 2024. He was included in the 100 Leading AI & Legal Tech Advisors list, which highlights “100 stellar players who capture the state of artificial intelligence in the law today, with a side of interesting legal tech.” In addition, Ahmed was named to its 500 Leading Global Cyber Lawyers guide, which highlights “lawyers who connect it all – data and security, innovation and inspiration, litigation and exploration.”
- Who’s Who Legal: Data has also selected Ahmed as being a leading figure in Data.
Admitted to the Paris Bar in 2001, Ahmed graduated in 1998 from University of Lyon III Jean Moulin, where he received a DJCE (Legal counsel diploma) in Commercial Law and a post graduate degree in Business and Tax Laws. Through an exchange program, he spent two years in the US, at the University of Georgia in 1999, and the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in 1997.
Ahmed also graduated from the French Institute of Advanced Studies in National Defence (IHEDN) in 2021 on Cybersecurity and Data Sovereignty. He is a Young Leader of the France-Asia Foundation.
He speaks English fluently.
Capabilities
- Privacy, Cybersecurity, and Data Innovation
- Artificial Intelligence
- Fashion, Retail, and Consumer Products
- Intellectual Property
- Media, Entertainment, and Technology
- National Security
- Strategic Sourcing and Commercial Transactions
- Tech and Innovation
- Technology Transactions
- Transportation and Space
Credentials
Education:
- Université Jean-Moulin Lyon III - 1998 DJCE
- Université Jean-Moulin Lyon III - 1998 Master’s in Corp. Law & Tax
- University of North Carolina - 1997 Three-year degree in Law
Admissions:
- France - Avocat au Barreau de Paris