Charmian Aw

Charmian Aw is a leading practitioner in data, privacy and cybersecurity in the Asia-Pacific region, with extensive technology regulatory and transactional experience. Charmian has built a track record of representing global corporations in navigating the increasingly complex, diverse and fast-evolving tech and data legal landscape in the Asia-Pacific region.

Charmian has acted in dozens of strategic, high-value technology transactions, including the development and deployment of AI solutions, commercialization of data and digital assets, transitioning to electronic platforms, cloud migration and the procurement and integration of IT systems.

Having obtained certifications in AI governance and information privacy for Asia, Europe and the U.S. (AIGP, FIP, CIPP/A, E, US, CIPM), Charmian has counselled hundreds of corporations on multijurisdictional data law compliance and spearheaded projects (covering over 130 territories) on regulatory compliance, data governance and cross-border transfers. While her practice is industry-neutral, she has particular expertise advising market leaders in the technology, healthcare and life sciences, finance, hospitality, e-commerce, media and gaming, and consumer and luxury sectors.

She provides group-wide cybersecurity readiness support, including incident response planning and training and has successfully resisted sanctions for over a hundred companies in semi-contentious data investigations, information disclosure requests, and time-sensitive breach reporting, covering multiple countries across APAC and beyond.

Charmian is ranked in leading legal directories including Chambers, Legal 500, Who’s Who Legal, Global Data Review, and Best Lawyers.

Charmian was named the IAPP Vanguard Award winner for Asia (2026), recognising excellence and creativity in advancing privacy, AI governance, cybersecurity law and digital responsibility.