For thirty years, Azim-Khan has been recognized as a leading figure in the business by Chambers and Legal 500, and he is the recipient of Legal 500’s exclusive Hall of Fame ranking. He was co-head of Pillsbury’s Global Privacy & Cybersecurity Practice and previously oversaw the company’s European Privacy and Marketing Law divisions. Having worked with Silicon Valley and international clients to launch new platforms, products, or technology for more than 20 years, he has extensive global experience.
According to Crowell & Moring chair Philip T. Inglima, We are delighted to welcome Rafi to the firm. Rafi is a true thought leader with exceptional transatlantic and international experience in fields that are becoming more and more important—often critically so—for our clients. With his appointment, we will be better equipped to guide clients through the ever-growing risks of regulatory action and competitive challenges as they adopt new technology and launch new goods and services.
From cutting-edge start-ups to some of the biggest corporations in the world, Azim-Khan counsels clients on topics such as entering new markets, marketing and introducing new products and technologies (such as artificial intelligence), protecting European and global brands, data privacy, and cybersecurity. His practice encompasses the IT, media, sports, FMCG, food, travel, healthcare, and defense industries. His clientele has included the British Bankers’ Association, Coca-Cola, Cadbury Schweppes, Shell, Virgin, British Airways, Energizer, Starbucks, GE, GM, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Aston Martin, Freeserve, and Motorola.
Azim-Khan has provided advice on a number of well-known intellectual property rights matters, such as the Daewoo rebranding, the London 2012 Olympics, sponsorships of Formula One and the Premier League, multiple FIFA World Cups, and the “Bubbles” trademark comparative advertising case from the European Court of Justice.
On the whole spectrum of data protection and digital issues, such as GDPR, CCPA, LGPD, EU AI Act, DSA and DMA impact, full website reviews, privacy audits, data transfers, SCCs and DPF, incident responses, e-partner agreements, site creation and disclaimers, NFTs and UGC, pan-EU online contracting, net-shopping and marketing, net-betting, and cybersecurity, Azim-Khan has advised over 100 website/mobile ventures in addition to many multinational corporations. He is also among the select few attorneys who have succeeded in getting their clients Binding Corporate Rules.
According to Jeffrey Poston, co-chair of Crowell’s Privacy and Cybersecurity Group, Rafi is a global powerhouse with noteworthy experience in advertising, IP protection, e-commerce, privacy, and cybersecurity. At a time when our clients in both the US and Europe are becoming more regulated, he instantly broadens and experiences our group.
Azim-Khan has recently worked on projects including augmented reality, driverless vehicles, and rules and regulations pertaining to AI in more than 40 nations. In addition to helping customers with the implementation of the GDPR, CCPA, and other data laws, he has also assisted them in getting ready for future requirements like the AI Act and handling e-commerce advertising and sales rules. Additionally, he has vast experience interacting directly with authorities to provide input on legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms.
He was thrilled to have Rafi join our expanding London staff. Robert Weekes, managing partner of the company’s London office and a member of the management board, stated that Rafi’s appointment continues our approach of recruiting excellent partners that can work seamlessly for our clients across all of our geographies. Rafi’s entry will further strengthen London’s international ties, especially with the U.S. West Coast and our outstanding teams in Brussels and Doha.
The company has added more than 175 lawyers worldwide during the previous five years, with the London office growing eight-fold. The firm is now present in the US, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East and North Africa.
According to Azim-Khan, Crowell has a top-tier privacy and cyber security practice and is in a good position to counsel clients on the extraordinary wave of new regulations pertaining to digital, artificial intelligence, and consumers worldwide, but especially in the EU and the U.K. Additionally, it has elite trademark, intellectual property, and advertising attorneys, which will improve service capacity for the global introduction of new products and marketing initiatives he counsels on. He is excited to work with the firm to expand its global reach by cooperating across offices, countries, and boundaries.
Azim-Khan is a frequent interviewee for prestigious journals including Bloomberg, The Times, BBC, FT, and The Economist. He is the author or co-author of five books, including E-Business, Regulation of the Internet, and Ad Law. In addition, he chairs the prestigious Ad/Brand Law Group of attorneys. Azim-Khan graduated from Queen Mary, University of London, with a law degree.
International legal practice Crowell & Moring has offices in the US, Europe, MENA, and Asia. The firm helps clients take advantage of opportunities and offers innovative solutions to complicated litigation and arbitration, regulatory and policy, corporate and transactional issues. It does this by drawing on substantial experience in government, business, industry, and law. The company has received recognition on a regular basis for both its pro bono assistance and its efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.
