Senior Commercial, Data, AI, Innovation, Privacy & Compliance Counsel
20+ years of leadership experience in international law and compliance.
Business-focused solutions for complex, high-value projects.
Proven deal-maker expertise with demonstrated ability to "get things done."
Strategic risk manager transforming complex legal challenges into competitive business advantages
Expert in ICT, innovation, tech transactions, XaaS, privacy, digitalization and AI
Passion for innovation, improvements, challenging tasks and kite surfing
Core Areas of Expertise
Commercial ICT, innovation & tech transactions
XaaS, cloud & digital transformation
Privacy & AI Compliance
Software, open source, IP Licensing and Copyright
SW / Cloud Partnerships, Channel & Reselling
European R&D programs, Joint Technology Initiatives
Export Control, Compliance & Regulatory Monitoring
IT - Security NIS2, DORA & ISO 27001
Successful Projects
XaaS, HW/SW, Service, Cloud, Outsourcing - Projects
IP, SW, Cloud License & Reselling Contracts
R&D-Projects (private & public) with strategic IP - Monetization
Public EVB-IT tenders / year
DPA & privacy related contracts
Corporate & SME Clients as external DPO
project volume / year
with (the most of) it
Attorney at Law
Since 06/2005
Co-Founder & Managing Director PRICOM
Since 04/2024
Senior Legal Advisor (ext)
CANCOM Since 02/2024
DeepL (08/25–01/2026)
Aleph Alpha (02/24–04/2025)
Director Legal
CGI
06/2021 – 08/2024
Senior Privacy Consultant & DPO DataGuard
03/2020 – 01/2024
Director Legal & Senior IP Counsel Cognizant Technology Solutions
06/2018 – 09/2020
Head of Legal European Research Center
Huawei Technologies
08/2012 – 12/2017
Senior Legal Counsel
Fraunhofer Gesellschaft e.V.
12/2008 – 08/2012
Legal Counsel
HSE 24
06/2005 – 12/2008
Senior Legal Advisor (ext.)
CANCOM, DeepL & IPAI Aleph Alpha
Clients
CANCOM GmbH, Munich
Digital IT solutions, AI, security, cloud, IoT infrastructure and XaaS provider for enterprises and public sector organizations.
DeepL SE, Cologne
Global leader in Language AI technology with 100k+ business customers and millions of individual daily license users.
IPAI Aleph Alpha Research GmbH, Heidelberg
Lighthouse AI company for trustworthy and transparent AI models and adaptive AI systems.
Main Fields of Expertise
- Commercial IT HW, XaaS, SW, cloud & digital transformation deals up to €150M project value
- 80+ public EVB-IT tenders per year
- AI-related R&D, tech and licensing transactions with industry and academics
- AI Product Compliance (AI Act) and IP/Copyright issues
- Software, open source, IP licensing and reselling
- IP strategies and data privacy policies
- Data privacy, copyright and export control
- Compliance and regulatory monitoring
Landmark Projects: CANCOM, DeepL & Aleph Alpha
SOC Modernization
Scalable VMware virtualization platform for DB InfraGO.
Hospital IT Modernization
HPE GreenLake for scalable consumption-based storage solution.
100,000+ Client Workplace
End-to-end management for Germany's largest public IT administration.
Device-as-a-Service
Frame agreement for 100k+ users with Germany's largest retail group.
Dell APEX Subscription
Long-term consumption-based infrastructure for a leading global IT security company.
30+ XaaS Licensing Projects
Strategic license and channel-reselling projects with global XaaS providers.
LLM & AI Compliance
AI Act, privacy and copyright-compliant LLM & AI systems development, including training data, SFT/RLHF datasets and compute resources.
Open-Source LLM Consortium & GenAI Collaborations
Groundbreaking cooperation of Europe's leading AI companies and research institutions for next-gen open-source LLMs;
Strategic collaboration with leading universities for transparent GenAI.
Compute, IP, copyright & OSS
- Strategic contracts with global providers of multimodal (SFT, RLHF) datasets and compute resources for LLM development / finetuning
- LLM and OSS training datasets license compliance for use rights, restrictions on derivative works and attributions
Privacy & Compliance
Implementation of data privacy management and compliance policies
Co-Founder & Managing Director
Specialized consulting in data privacy, AI, compliance, IT security for data-driven businesses.
Data Privacy & External DPO
Full-service external Data Protection Officer services and data privacy management for corporate clients and SMEs.
AI Compliance & External AI Officer & AI Literacy
AI Act compliance advisory and external AI Officer with AI literacy Academy.
NIS2 & ISO 27001
Officers and auditors for NIS2 & ISO 27001 — covering information security management systems and regulatory compliance.
Data Act & DORA
Strategic Data Act & DORA consulting for IoT, cloud, XaaS, AI, and data driven businesses
Director Legal
CGI Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, Munich
Leading global IT services, digital transformation, technology and consulting company — ~89,000 employees, revenues 2021: CAD $12.1 billion.
Fields of Expertise
- International commercial IT services and XaaS tech transactions for Telco, Aerospace, Automotive and Public Clients
- Software, open source, IP licensing, reselling and managed services
- Data privacy and regulatory affairs; export control and compliance
- Successful negotiations in complex XaaS, Managed Services, Outsourcing, Cloud and digital transformation deals with up to 3-digit million TCV
- Strategic data privacy consulting for IT Services, XaaS, products and DPAs incl. GDPR-compliant international data transfers
- Lead Counsel for Cloud Partnerships and Software/IP licensing and reselling business
- Strategic regulatory monitoring for digitalization, data privacy, AI and future monetization of data-driven business models
- Managing external law firms in commercial transactions
Major Successful Projects
City Education IT Transformation
Development and delivery of integrated digitally transformed IT systems and services for the Department of Education and Sports of a large German city.
Door James SaaS
Customized SaaS Terms for global rollout of CGI's award-winning "Door James" Smart Office SaaS Solution.
IONOS Cloud Partnership
Establishment of strategic IONOS Cloud Partnership enabling innovative GDPR-compliant IaaS Solutions for several public clients.
ESA / EUMETSAT / GALILEO
Several projects for next-generation ESA, EUMETSAT and GALILEO satellite networks.
Senior Privacy Consultant & DPO
DataGuard (DataCo GmbH), Munich
"Privacy-as-a-Service," DPO legal-tech, compliance and IT security provider for 4,000+ international business customers.
External DPO for 80+ SME und Corporate Clients
DPMS & Privacy processes
Customized advice and implementation of data privacy management systems, data processing activities, privacy-by-design, RoPA and TOMs
GDPR Notices &
Policies
Fit - for - purpose privacy notices and policies for Employees, Customers, Applicants, DSR, data breaches, compliance and whistleblowing
Contracts & DPAs
Pragmatic data privacy and legal advice in 200+ IT, SW, XaaS contracts, DPAs/, JCA, including SCC, BCR, TIA safeguarding 3rd country data transfer
GDPR Product Enablement & DPIAs
Enabling GDPR-compliant products, services, marketing, IT and digitization projects for corporate customers and SMEs including DPIAs
Data Breaches & DSRs
Handling, coordination and risk mitigation of data subject requests and data breaches with Controllers, Processors, Authorities and Data Subjects.
Bitkom Advisory
Member of Bitkom Privacy & AI Advisory Groups and "global 3rd country data transfer" task force.
Automated DPA Check-Software
Development of efficient, automated DPA assessment software with risk mitigation measures for 5,000+ DPA annually.
Director Legal & Senior IP Counsel
Cognizant Technology Solutions GmbH, Munich
Leading global ICT services, digital transformation, technology and outsourcing provider — ~270,000 employees, revenues 2019: $16.8 billion.
Fields of Expertise
- International contracts, commercial and technology transactions
- Intellectual property, licensing, IT, software, open source
- International and European R&D projects
- Data privacy, trade control, export control and antitrust/competition law
- Corporate law, M&A, compliance
- Strategic legal negotiation in complex XaaS, Outsourcing, Managed Services, Cloud, digital transformation deals with 3-digit million TCV
- EMEA Lead Counsel for Strategic Partnerships, Alliances and Software channel sales, reselling and licensing business
- Development and implementation of European IP protection and exploitation strategies and policies
- Leading negotiation of international R&D cooperation with industry, academics, start-ups and public funding bodies
Major Successful Projects
Finnish Banking Transformation
Digital transformation of banking services with 3 Finnish banks incl. licensing and development of T24 core banking solution (50M+ € Vol.).
EU Software Channel Sales
Transformation and standardization of EU Software Channel Sales/Reselling business and contracts, achieving significant efficiencies and risk reduction.
European IP protection & exploitation strategies
Development and implementation of European IP protection and exploitation strategies and policies
Head of Legal Department European Research Center
Huawei Technologies, Munich
Leading global ICT provider — ~175,000 employees, revenues 2017: $92.0 billion.
Fields of Expertise
- International contract and commercial law
- IP, licensing, IT and telecommunications law
- International & European R&D programs and Joint Technology Initiatives
- Data privacy, export control and competition law
- Individual and collective employment law; corporate law, M&A, real estate, compliance
- Managing overall legal advice for European Research Institute (ERI), German Research Center and Subsidiaries in +8 European locations (>700 employees, investment € 1 billion p.a.)
- Strategic legal and commercial consulting in complex IT HW/SW Supply, Service, Licensing, M&A and Outsourcing projects with 3-digit million € volumes
- Leading negotiation of 100+ multilateral R&D, license, cooperation and procurement agreements per year with global industry partners, universities and R&D organisations
- Legal key account for Autonomous Driving (5G Automotive Association, BMVI Providentia, Autopilot) and Industry 4.0 Lighthouse Projects
- Strategic consulting on Horizon2020, 5G Automotive Association, 5G PPP, Big Data PPP, EIT Digital
- Several years management experience building a Legal Dept. from scratch, supervising 2 Legal Counsels
- Legal Representative in 5G Automotive Association, 5G PPP, Digital Europe
- regulatory monitoring and strategic development and implementation of various custom-made Compliance risk mitigation projects
Major Successful Projects
LTE/RAN/vEPC Network Roll-Out
Turnkey roll-out, TUPE & employee transfer with global network operator (~390M+ € Vol.).
High Precision Manufacturing Center
Real estate purchase, EPC and equipment contracts to build High Precision Manufacturing Technology Center (50M+ € Vol.).
Leica Strategic Partnership
Strategic long-term optical engineering partnership for smartphone photography with Leica.
5G Automotive Association
Foundation of the 5G Automotive Association (Statutes, By-Laws, Membership Agreements, etc.).
GSM-R Railway Tender
Public tender for GSM-R turnkey swap of Europe's largest railway company (140M+ € Vol.).
Europe's Largest Indoor WIFI
Turnkey supply, I&C and maintenance of Europe's largest indoor WIFI installation.
Earlier Career Highlights
Fraunhofer Gesellschaft, Munich
Senior Legal Counsel "IP, Public and EU-Projects" (12/2008 – 08/2012).
Applied R&D organization, ~20,000 employees, R&D budget 2011: €1.85 billion.
- Global multilateral cooperation, license, R&D and confidentiality agreements (~350 FP7/H2020 projects, PPPs).
- Legal, commercial consulting in international civil, military and EC-funded bids in ICT.
- Lobbying vis-à-vis the European Commission and Joint Technology Initiatives.
- DESCA Core Group Member (development V3 Model Consortium Agreement).
Bayerische Patentallianz GmbH, Munich
Of Counsel "Licensing and IP" (01/2012 – 08/2012, in parallel to Fraunhofer).
Central patent and marketing agency of 28 Bavarian universities.
- Option, licensing and transfer agreements, NDA, MTA
- IP, patent and copyright law; software and IT law;
- legal consulting on management and exploitation of intellectual property.
E-Plus Mobilfunk GmbH & Co. KG, Düsseldorf
Legal Counsel "Intellectual Property Law and Wholesale" (05/2008 – 12/2008). E
European Telecommunications Company of KPN Group, ~2,300 employees, revenues 2008: €3.0 billion.
- Negotiation of complex content, MVNO and sales agreements;
- Handling approval of termination rates and roaming charges at BNetzA and EC;
- Judicial and extrajudicial litigation with competitors and authorities.
Home Shopping Europe GmbH (HSE24), Ismaning
Legal Counsel "IP & Competition Law," Youth Protection Officer (06/2005 – 05/2008).
European media and mail-order company, ~500 employees, turnover 2008: €350 million.
- Strategic management and enforcement of entire IP portfolio (600+ trademarks, 500 domains)
- legal protection for labelling, marketing and distribution of all products;
- legal advice and trainings for TV sales, e-commerce, procurement, marketing and HR;
- external lobbying (VPRT, BVH, Wettbewerbszentrale, VSW, Bitkom).
Professional Education & Certifications
Professional Certifications
2025 — Information Security Officer (TÜV) & ISMS Auditor (ISO 27001:2022)
2024 — AI Officer & AI Governance Professional (AIGP) — IAPP
2020 — Data Protection Officer – DSB (TÜV)
2018 — CIPP/E — Certified International Privacy Professional Europe, IAPP
2016 — Certified Compliance Officer, University Augsburg (good, 1.68 points)
2009–2010 — Specialized Lawyer (Fachanwalt) "Corporate and Commercial Law"
2005 — LL.M. "Intellectual Property Law," University of Düsseldorf (excellent: 13.62 points)
2004 — 2nd Legal State Examination, North Rhine-Westphalia (satisfactory: 6.60 points, Major: European Community Law)
University & Academic Education
2002 — 1st Legal State Examination, Rhineland-Palatinate (satisfactory: 7.62 points, Major: European Community Law)
1996–2002 — Law School, Faculty of Law, University of Trier
1998–1999 — Erasmus Studies "European Community and Competition Law," Lund University, Sweden (excellent with distinction: 15.00 points)
1998 — Special Education "Anglo-American Law," University of Trier (satisfactory: 66.0 points)
2002–2003 — Special Education "Intellectual Property Law," ITM, University of Münster (very satisfactory: 10.50 points)
1986–1995 — High School "Staatliches Gymnasium a.d. Asterstein," Koblenz (University-entrance diploma, Good: 2.6)
Personal Skills, Languages & Interests
Personal Skills & Attitude
- Pragmatic hands-on business enabler and deal maker
- Customer-focused and goal-driven "getting it done" actions
- Passion for innovation, improvements and challenging tasks
- Professional, courageous and ambitious intercultural negotiation skills
- Risk Manager primarily focusing on opportunities to seize business potential
- Deep commercial and technical acumen
- Ability to manage multiple priorities under high pressure
- Highly organized and able to work independently with very little supervision
- Positive, confident, respectful, professional communication and personality
- Ability to break down abstract complex issues into risk-measured decision making and useful business practice
- Leadership & Management by trust, empowerment, challenge and appreciation
Language Skills
German: Native
English: Business fluent
Interests
Travelling, sports (diving, swimming, fitness, kitesurfing), maintaining friendships.
Speaker, Panelist & Publications
KI & GRC in der Praxis - Diligent 03/2026
Speaker: Experten-Einblicke und Erfolgsstrategien für KI - Nutzung
IAPP Danube Joint KnowledgeNet Meeting — 12/2024
Speaker: Interplay between the DGA, Data Act, GDPR, and the role of data altruism in shaping the future of AI development.
IAPP KnowledgeNet Stuttgart — 07/2024
Speaker & Panelist: "Data Act: Legal and commercial implications of data access obligations."
Bundesverband der Unternehmensjuristen — 07/2024
Speaker: "Speeddating mit dem Data Act."
AI IP Europe 2022 Conference
Panelist: "Data: how to manage this increasingly valuable asset."
5th World Legal AI Summit 2022
Moderator Panel: "Challenges of new European Regulations for Data and AI Systems."
EPIC Summit 2022
Speaker: "Selected Challenges of Data Act."
Publications
7-teiliger Praxisleitfaden Data Act
Data Act – Switching of Data Processing Services: Recommendations for Service Providers.
Publications
Bitkom Praxisleitfaden KI & Datenschutz
References
What Customers, Colleagues & Supervisors say
Legal Expertise, Risk Manager & Negotiater
„Rene is a senior, highly skilled and very experienced in-house counsel... A very skilled negotiator seeking for favorable conditions and flexible options for mutual gains.“ Torsten Küpper – VP|Executive Advisor, Government Affairs & Tech, Huawei „René has broad legal skills and high competence in dealing with difficult phases of contract negotiations with international background. His 'get the deal done' approach is just perfect.“ Dirk Barcaba – Partner, Bird & Bird „René is an excellent lawyer and privacy expert. His work always went above and beyond our expectations. René has a knack for providing clear insights that have helped us make crucial decisions for our business.“ Dr. Orsolya Salla – Director Global Data Privacy, BorgWarner „Rene, with his great ability to have a balanced view of the business and the legal solutions, ensured that a Win-Win solution was driven for all parties." Neeraja Krishnan – Global Digital Transformation Leader Cognizant
Innovation, R&D and Technology
„Rene Schneider is one of the best legal counsels I have worked with... Thanks to his contributions we were able to establish vibrant research collaborations with leading universities.“ Indranil Mitra – Vice President LTIMindtree "A charming and highly motivated professional who goes the extra mile. Strong client focus and wide ranging experience in intellectual property, research and development in the technology sector." Simon White - General Counsel Cognizant „Rene was an excellent guide during my innovation projects setup phase in explaining the legal complications around IP ownership related issues.“ Ishan Vaishnavi – Head of Network Automation Nokia & Huawei „Rene has excellent legal, social and negotiation skills which he brought in for establishing the 5G Automotive Association.“ Markus Dillinger – Director 5G Industry Communications, Huawei
Cooperation & Teamwork
„René is a skilled and focused lawyer and incredibly fun to work with. He always offers a helping hand when needed, sees and utilizes opportunities to thrive ….“ Ludwig Ederle – Director CGI „Working with you is incredibly fun, easy and excellent in terms of content. Your experience and expertise in the product business is incredibly valuable.“ Lisa Brauer – Managing Director, digihub Düsseldorf / CGI „As a strong and confident negotiator, he is a valuable asset to any team. I have always appreciated René's team spirit and 'can do' attitude.“ Antje de' Liguori Carino – Senior Legal Counsel Huawei „It was a fortune to have him as my counterpart — he was always open minded, very professional and practice-oriented.“ Christian Coulin – Senior Legal Counsel Frequentis
Business focus & getting it done
View more
Professional References
LinkedIn References
Available via https://www.linkedin.com/in/reneschneiderlaw/
Samuel Weinbach
Founder and Managing Director IPAI Aleph Alpha Research GmbH samuel.weinbach@aleph-alpha-ip.ai
Matthias Meister
Regional Counsel UK & Europe Mindtree,
Frankfurt Tel: +49 178 4602797 · matthias.meister1@gmx.net
2018–2020: Head of Commercial Legal CE/LATAM, Cognizant Technology Solutions GmbH
Torsten Küpper, LL.M.
VP Government Relations & Public Policy – Europe Honeywell Technologies Tel: +49 163 4770834
2012–2017: Vice President Corporate & Public Affairs, Vice General Counsel, Huawei Technologies Düsseldorf GmbH
Dr. Georg Kreuz
Chief IP Counsel Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd, München
Tel: +49 151 65416932
2012–2017: Chief IP Counsel, Huawei Technologies Düsseldorf GmbH
Raymond Korhon
Director Provider Sales Fritz! GmbH
München 2012–2017: Key Account Director, Huawei Technologies Deutschland GmbH
Awards & Recognition
🏆 5G Automotive Association Award
2017 — Recognized for foundational legal contributions to the 5G Automotive Association.
🤝 Huawei ERI "Handshake & Coordination Award"
2017 — Awarded by Huawei European Research Institute for outstanding coordination and collaboration.
⭐ Huawei ERC "Best Practice Award"
2015 — Awarded by Huawei European Research Center for best practice in legal and commercial management.
René Schneider