macarena_gatica_web_large

Macarena Gatica

she/herPartner
Macarena Gatica is one of the best lawyers in personal data regulation, technology contracts and data governance advice. She is approachable, empathetic and consistently successful in her judgements.
— Chambers Latin America, (2026)
Santiago
About

Macarena Gatica focuses her practice on data protection, cybersecurity, technology, and artificial intelligence matters. She advises on legal aspects of data collection and processing, the design and implementation of privacy and security policies, audits, risk assessments, and the implementation of effective strategies for data transfer and compliance programs. Her comprehensive approach enables organizations to address current challenges in technology regulation and information protection.

With more than twenty years of experience in leadership and high-responsibility roles in Chile and Latin America, Macarena has been a trusted legal advisor for national and international companies. She stands out especially in the areas of data protection, technology, and cybersecurity. Her career includes leading multidisciplinary teams and managing complex projects in highly regulated environments.

Additionally, she holds prominent positions in professional associations, such as counsel of the directory of the Chilean-American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham Chile) and president of the Ethics and Self-Regulation Council of the Digital Marketing and Data Association (AMDD). Her experience includes participation in Congress and representation in working groups on personal data protection regulation, technology, and artificial intelligence. She is a member of national and international professional associations and teaches at leading universities, actively contributing to the development and dissemination of best practices in the legal and technological fields.

Areas of FocusData, Privacy and CybersecurityTechnology and Commercial TransactionsTechnology
Bar AdmissionsChile, 2021

EXPERIENCE

  • Companies from various industries on compliance with the new personal data regulation, including compliance diagnostics, drafting of privacy policies and notices, and development of internal rules to implement a prevention model for infringements
  • An insurance company in the negotiation for the acquisition of software designed to manage life annuities
  • A retail company on personal data protection matters, including drafting of privacy policies, cross-border data flow policies, privacy impact assessments, among others
  • A foundation in the oncology field on the review of internal processes, aimed at identifying gaps in relation to the new personal data regulation, defining a remediation plan, and building a record of processing activities, considering health regulations, sensitive data, and medical records
  • The Chilean National Congress in the discussion of legislative bills, including those on personal data protection, digital platforms, and neuro-rights
  • Companies on the drafting of data processing agreements executed by data processors, in accordance with Law 21.719 on the Protection of Private Life
  • Companies on the analysis of product and service procurement processes, determining the necessary data for each stage, the legal bases, and granular consent
  • Organizations on risk assessments related to the use of artificial intelligence systems
  • Company board members through training to foster organizational commitment to data protection laws, promoting compliance across the organization
  • Companies on the implementation of the legal framework for personal data protection in the workplace, including recruitment privacy policies, data protection clauses in employment contracts, and specific chapters in internal regulations
  • An insurance company on the development of a compliance plan for its sales force, addressing risks related to referrals, databases of unknown origin, database purchases, management of the right to object to promotional communications, traceability, training, and audits
  • The privacy office of a major UK-based healthcare group, including insurers, on matters such as gap analysis, processing records, impact assessments, and the definition of an implementation plan to comply with the new personal data protection law
  • A key player in the casino and gaming industry on the management of access and deletion requests of personal data, submitted by public officials in the context of administrative proceedings related to medical leave fraud
  • Participation in working groups organized by the Financial Market Commission (CMF) as part of the discussion on the Fintech law
  • The legal department of a bank through specialized training on Fintech law
Languages
  • Spanish
  • English
Education
  • Law Degree, Gabriela Mistral University School of Law, 1996
    First Place, Academic Ranking
    with honours

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

Chambers Latin America

  • Band 1, Chile Data Protection, (2026)
  • Band 1, Chile Telecoms, Media, Technology (TMT), (2023 – 2025)

The Legal 500 Latin America

  • Next Generation Partner, Chile Data Privacy, (2020 – 2026)
Additional Recognitions
  • Data, Technology and Privacy Law, Leaders League, (2025)
  • Privacy and Security Law, Best Lawyers, (2020 – 2025)
  • Women in Cybersecurity, Chilean Cybersecurity Alliance, (2019 – 2020)

Prior Experience

Prior to joining DLA Piper, Macarena was a partner at a prominent law firm, a legal advisor, and a leader in companies in Chile and the United States. She also acted as general counsel for subsidiaries in various countries, where she implemented compliance frameworks in corporate, labor, contractual, intellectual property, and data protection matters.

Teaching Experience

  • Professor, Diploma Course on Artificial Intelligence, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile School of Law, (2024 – 2025)
  • Professor, Diploma Course on Data Protection, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile School of Law, (2019 – 2025)
  • Professor, Diploma Courses on Technology and Compliance, University of Development School of Law, (2019 – 2025)

Memberships and Affiliations

  • Counsel of the Directory, AmCham Chile
  • Co-chair, Technology, Innovation, and Data Committee, AmCham Chile
  • Chair, Ethics and Self-Regulation Council, AMDD
  • Member, International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP)
  • Member, Chilean Bar Association

My latest insights

News

DLA Piper welcomes Macarena Gatica to the Data, Privacy and Cybersecurity practice

15 October 2025 .1 minute read

Connect

Phone

+56 2 2798 2647
(Work, Santiago)
CallvCardLinkedInPrint