John Magee

Partner
Global Co-Chair Data, Privacy and Cybersecurity Group
John is easy and straightforward to deal with, even when under pressure. He is definitely a person I would go to in a crisis.
— Chambers Europe
Dublin
About

John is a highly experienced data protection lawyer, leading the firm’s data protection, privacy and cybersecurity practice in Ireland.

One of Ireland’s best known and respected privacy lawyers, John has a varied client base of both Irish and international organisations and he is recognised by clients for his strategic advice on global data governance and compliance, data transfers, information security and breach response matters.

John also advises on contentious data protection and privacy matters, including information access requests and regulatory investigations.

Having represented BSA – The Software Alliance in the Schrems II case while at his previous firm, John was part of the global DLA Piper team that created a pioneering data transfer assessment methodology implemented through a legal tech tool, known as Transfer, which was launched to the market in July 2020, following the landmark judgment in that case.

John writes and speaks regularly on data protection and cyber security matters and has lectured and created course modules for the Law Society of Ireland, the Kings Inns and Trinity College Dublin as well as speaking at international conferences such as the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP).

Areas of FocusConsumer Goods, Food and RetailFinancial ServicesIntellectual PropertyTechnologyTechnology and Commercial Transactions
Professional QualificationsSolicitor of the Senior Courts of England and WalesSolicitor regulated by the Law Society of Ireland

EXPERIENCE

Relevant experience includes advising:

  • A range of international and domestic food, financial services, technology and life sciences companies on the creation and subsequent implementation of compliance and remediation strategies following the landmark CJEU ruling in Schrems II on the non-EEA transfers of personal data.
  • On cybersecurity and data breach response matters, acting as lead legal adviser. Cases of note include:
    • Legal advice to a major web services provider in connection with a data breach considered the largest in history;
    • Advising a regulated financial service entity following a significant hack; and
    • Strategic counsel to ensure the retrieval of a six-figure sum stolen in the course of a spear-phishing attack on a pharmaceutical firm.
  • Several multi-national companies, providing strategic advice on their ability to rely on the GDPR’s lead supervisory authority mechanism – more popularly known as the “one-stop shop”.
  • A leading Irish bank on a complex multi-year statutory inquiry by the Irish Data Protection Commission.
  • A US-headquartered insurer on a key global privacy compliance initiative, working with the client team to create a suite of bespoke data governance policies, procedures, toolkits and playbooks.
  • International businesses on the impact of the EU Digital Decade suite of legislation including NIS 2, the Data Act, DORA, the Cyber Resilience Act and the EU AI Act.
Languages
  • English

Awards

John was featured by Irish Legal News as its Lawyer of the Month in June 2026 noting his reputation as "one of the world’s leading data protection and privacy lawyers."

John is “commercial, client-focused and collaborative in terms of getting good results for clients.” He is described by clients as “easy and straightforward to deal with, even when under pressure. He is definitely a person I would go to in a crisis.” (Chambers Europe)

"John Magee is the global co-chair of DLA Piper's Data, Privacy and Cybersecurity Group. As such and given his background as a seasoned data privacy lawyer, his expertise is second to none. His ability to find creative approaches, and his broad oversight over industry trends, make him an extremely valuable resource." (Legal 500)

Education
  • IBAT College Diploma in Cyber and Digital Security, Dublin, 2018
  • The Law Society of Ireland, Professional Practice Course, Dublin, 2004 - 2006
  • Queen's University Belfast and Università Degli Studi di Bologna, LLM, Computers and Law, 2001 - 2002
  • University College Dublin, BCL, 1998 - 2001

Publications

Memberships And Affiliations

  • Solicitor registered with the Law Society of England & Wales
  • International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP)
  • Association of Compliance Officers in Ireland (ACOI) Data Protection & Information Security Working Group
  • Registered Irish and Community Trade Mark and Design Attorney

My latest insights

Publication
tech-graphic-chip

What the EU's new Code of Practice means for AI-generated content transparency

16 July 2026 .22 minute read

Publication
Blue planet Earth with world ocean

US Supreme Court overturns Humphrey’s Executor: Implications for independent agencies and...

6 July 2026 .4 minute read

Publication
computer

EU report on major ICT incidents under DORA

23 June 2026 .6 minute read

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Phone

+353 1 487 6656
(Work, Dublin)