Rafi Azim-Khan

Cybersecurity, Data Protection & Privacy; Intellectual Property; Technology & Media; Advertising & Promotions Law; Marketing, Distribution & Franchising; Communications; Aviation, Aerospace & Transportation; Brexit Resource Center; Corporate; Consumer & Retail; Global Sourcing & Technology Transactions; International Trade; Restaurant, Food & Beverage; Trademark Counseling, Prosecution & Litigation; Travel, Leisure & Hospitality; Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS); General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR); California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)

The leader of Crowell’s Digital Law practice in Europe, Rafi Azim-Khan is the go-to advisor on AI, data privacy, cybersecurity, e-commerce, comparative advertising, marketing, and intellectual property for a broad spectrum of clients across the world, from ambitious startups to multinational companies with household names. A member of Crowell’s Privacy and Cybersecurity, Intellectual Property, and Advertising and Brand Protection practices, Rafi has over 20 years of experience counseling U.S., UK, EU, and other global clients on issues related to cutting-edge digital technology and the launch and marketing of new products. Rafi is also chair of the Ad Law Group.

Clients praise Rafi for his “three-dimensional” thinking and deep knowledge and experience with data, digital, and e-commerce laws. He has advised on a 40+ country AI project, autonomous vehicles, augmented reality, and newly proposed digital laws such as the AI Act, DSA, and DMA. Clients advised include numerous multinationals as well as over 100 website and mobile ventures on compliance with global privacy laws such as GDPR, CPRA, LGPD, enforcement, website reviews, privacy policies, data transfers, e-commerce partner agreements, website creation and disclaimers, pan-EU online contracting, online shopping and marketing, and online betting. Rafi has handled high-value cybersecurity and data breach incidents in multiple countries. He is also one of only a small number of lawyers who has helped clients obtain approval for Binding Corporate Rules (BCR) for transfers of personal data outside the EU.

Outside of his work with e-commerce and technology companies, Rafi has helped numerous clients in the consumer products, food and beverage, and sports industries launch and market new products while overcoming challenges from regulators and competitors. Rafi advised on the launch of Red Bull, new cars for GM and BMW, and Starbucks’ VIA range, amongst others. He also advised Energizer, Wilkinson Sword, Schick, SCA, and Essity on successfully overcoming comparative advertising disputes in multiple countries and acted on the landmark European Court of Justice O2 "bubbles" trade mark case. Rafi has advised on major sponsorship and sports deals involving F1, Premier League clubs, the London 2012 Olympics, and multiple FIFA World Cups.

For decades, Rafi has been widely recognized as a thought leader in his field. He has been repeatedly ranked in Chambers and Legal 500 as one of the leading “digital” lawyers advising on data privacy, AI, cybersecurity, social media, internet, IP, media/advertising, sports, and e-commerce issues. Rafi has achieved the “Hall of Fame” status by Legal 500, and is ranked by Chambers for his experience in Data Protection & Information Law and Advertising & Marketing.

Rafi is a prolific writer, having authored or co-authored five books and dozens of articles, and is frequently interviewed by the legal press for his insights, including in The Economist, The Telegraph, the Financial Times, Bloomberg, and more. He has written or co-written five books: E-Business – The Practical Guide to the Laws; Regulation of the Internet; E-Commerce – From Cradle to Grave; The IPA’s Ad Law; and The Encyclopaedia of E-Commerce Law.