Key insights

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1. Data Protection Subsumes a Larger Strategic Area.

Dale prefers "Data Protection" over "Privacy" because it encompasses a broader surface area, including information security and critical relationships with the InfoSec side of the business. This broad view makes legal a central player in product counseling and strategic data use.

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2. M&A Diligence is Now Driven by Data Strategy.

During the sale of SessionM to Mastercard, Dale was pointed in three separate directions for diligence: pure privacy, InfoSec, and strategic data strategy. This highlights that for data-heavy companies, the legal risk around data is no longer a footnote but a core driver of deal valuation and synergy.

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3. Privacy is the New Pipeline for the GC Seat.

Because a privacy lawyer must understand everything from product and marketing to HR and commercial deals, they gain a holistic view of the company. This "no place to hide" aspect makes CPOs uniquely qualified to transition into General Counsel roles compared to more specialized corporate or litigation tracks.

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4. Community and Collaboration are "Safe Spaces" for Standard-Setting.

Engaging with industry bodies like the IAB or NAI allows legal leaders to collaborate on non-competitive issues that lift the entire ecosystem. Dale notes that pulling a peer from a "Goliath" like Google aside at these events can provide insights into emerging norms that you would never get in a competitive negotiation.

5. Closing insight

Your background in data protection is your secret weapon for the GC seat; it provides you with a unique, 360-degree view of the company that more traditional legal tracks simply cannot replicate. Stop viewing yourself as a specialist and start leveraging your holistic business knowledge to act as a primary navigator for the CEO and the board.