Education

  • Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
  • Catholic University of Leuven, J.D., cum laude

Admissions

  • Belgium
  • European Court

Languages

  • English
  • Dutch (Fluent)
  • French (Fluent)
  • Spanish (Fluent)
  • Catalan (Fluent)

Maarten Stassen

Partner
mstassen@crowell.com
+32.2.214.2837

Characterized by his entrepreneurial spirit and drive to provide practical and pragmatic advice, Maarten Stassen’s practice focuses on privacy and data protection, including the General Data Protection Regulation,  international data transfer challenges, Data Protection Impact Assessments, the legal and operational aspects of the digital ecosystem, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, blockchain, and other new and emerging technologies.

Having practiced law in both Spain and Belgium, and having successfully held leadership roles in international organizations in both Europe and the Middle East, Maarten’s extensive benchmarking experience helps him formulate a comparative and nuanced point of view when clients turn to him to act as a sounding board for strategic business decisions.

Maarten represents both national and international clients in litigation before the Belgian Data Protection Authority and the Market Court.

Maarten teaches at the Data Protection Institute and is a frequently sought-after speaker. Past positions in the privacy and data protection field that have proven to be valuable for his clients include vice chair of the American Bar Association Privacy and Computer Crime Committee (Science & Technology Law Section), faculty leader of the European Privacy Academy, and co-chair of the Brussels KnowledgeNet of the International Association of Privacy Professionals and member of its European Advisory Board. 


Affiliations

Professional Activities and Memberships

  • American Bar Association (ABA), Privacy and Computer Crime Committee (Science & Technology Law Section), Vice-Chair
  • Member Beltug Blockchain Task Force
  • European Advisory Board, International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), 2014 – 2016
  • IAPP KnowledgeNet Brussels, Co-Chair
  • IAPP - Certified Information Privacy Professional/Europe (CIPP/E)
  • IAPP - Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM)

Representative Matters

  • Led the data protection office of one of the world’s fastest growing and highly rated airlines, where excellence is the one and only standard.
  • Represented national and international clients in litigation before the Belgian Data Protection Authority and the Market Court.
  • Advised a large number of national and international companies, including many household names, on how to comply with the GDPR in a practical and pragmatic manner.

Speeches & Presentations

  • "Nuts & Bolts of Investigations: Protecting Privilege," Lexology Webinar, 2022. (May 19, 2022). Speakers: Nimrod Haim Aviad, Thomas A. Hanusik, mMaarten Stassen and Laurence Winston.
  • "Selected IP/IT Topics in a Digital Environment," Crowell & Moring Webinar (February 24, 2022). Speakers: Kristof Roox, Jan-Diederik Lindemans, Sari Depreeuw, Maarten Stassen.
  • "HR Privacy – Case Law Developments of the Labor Courts and the Belgian DPA (2018-2021)," Webinar in collaboration with IBJ/IJE (October 26, 2021). Speakers: Maarten Stassen, Emmanuel Plasschaert, and Stefanie Tack.
  • "Cyber Insights – Lessons Learned from Recent Ransomware Attacks," Webinar in collaboration with IBJ/IJE (September 21, 2021). Moderator: Maarten Stassen. Speakers: Evan D. Wolff and Matthew B. Welling.
  • "Nuts & Bolts of Investigations: Protecting Privilege," Investigations: Readiness and Response Webinar Series (April 27, 2021). Presenters: Nimrod Haim Aviad, Kelly T. Currie, Rebecca Monck Ricigliano, Maarten Stassen, and Laurence Winston.
  • "Global Cross-Border Data Transfers (Part 3)," Crowell & Moring Webinar (April 15, 2021). Presenters: Ambassador Robert Holleyman, Jarno Vanto, Maarten Stassen, and Laurence Winston.
  • "Cybersecurity: Lessons Learned from the Latest Major Hacks," Webinar in collaboration with IJE/IBJ, Brussels, Belgium (February 2, 2021). Presenters: Maarten Stassen and Evan D. Wolff.
  • "Global Cross-Border Data Transfers (Part 2)," Crowell & Moring Webinar (December 3, 2020). Presenters: Kate M. Growley, Ambassador Robert Holleyman, Maarten Stassen, Jarno Vanto, Robert Clifton Burns and Zhiwei Chen.
  • "Information Sharing: Legal, Privacy, Cybersecurity Considerations," Asia Pacific Financial Forum (APFF) – Trade-Based Money Laundering (TBML) Working Group (December 2, 2020). Speaker: Maarten Stassen.
  • "Global Cross-Border Data Transfers (Part 1)," Crowell & Moring Webinar (September 16, 2020). Moderator: Kristin J. Madigan; Presenters: Ambassador Robert Holleyman, Maarten Stassen, Jarno Vanto, and Laurence Winston.
  • "GDPR & Biometrics," European Corporate Security Association – ECSA Round Table (February 18, 2020). Speaker: Maarten Stassen.
  • "Blockchain: Data Law Aspects," Blockchain in Government, HOWEST (January 29, 2020). Speaker: Maarten Stassen.
  • "Data Protection Impact Assessments, The Full Picture," IAPP Europe Data Protection Congress 2019, Brussels, Belgium (November 19, 2019). Chair and Speaker: Maarten Stassen.
  • "GDPR, CCPA, and other Hot Topics in Data Privacy," Silicon Legal Strategy, Santa Monica, CA (November 12, 2019). Presenters: Jeffrey L. Poston, Paul M. Rosen, Maarten Stassen, Jarno Vanto, and Heidi Waem.
  • "GDPR, CCPA, and other Hot Topics in Data Privacy," Silicon Legal Strategy, San Francisco, CA (November 11, 2019). Presenters: Jeffrey L. Poston, Maarten Stassen, Jarno Vanto, Kristin J. Madigan, and Heidi Waem.
  • "Will GDPR kill blockchain?" Beltug N-sight seminar: Blockchain - Transformation from Hype to Reality, Grimbergen, Belgium (November 6, 2019). Speaker: Maarten Stassen.
  • "GDPR & Blockchain: Challenges & Opportunities," Blockchain in Government, HOWEST (October 24, 2019). Speaker: Maarten Stassen.
  • "GDPR Audits & Certifications," Programme in European Data Protection (GDPR), Solvay Business School (October 23, 2019). Speaker: Maarten Stassen.
  • "The ICO Bares its (Sharp) Teeth: What You Need to Know About GDPR One Year On," Crowell & Moring, London (October 17, 2019). Moderator: Jeffrey L. Poston; Panelists: Ambassador Robert Holleyman, Maarten Stassen, and Laurence Winston.
  • "Discussion with the Belgian Regulators," Privacy Café, Data Protection Institute, Antwerp, Belgium (September 24, 2019). Debate moderated by Maarten Stassen.
  • "Blockchain: Data Protection Challenges", Beltug Privacy Council, Brussels, Belgium (September 3, 2019). Speaker: Maarten Stassen
  • "The GDPR - 1 Year Later," IJE/IBJ Deep Dive, Brussels, Belgium (May 24, 2019). Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert, Maarten Stassen, Frederik Van Remoortel, and Heidi Waem.
  • "Privacy & Compliance in the Cloud," LSEC, Cloud Security Alliance BeLux Summit 2019, Brussels, Belgium (May 14, 2019). Speaker: Maarten Stassen.
  • "Digital Health Roundtable," Brussels, Belgium (April 24, 2019). Moderator: Maarten Stassen. Speakers: Jodi Daniel, Frederik Van Remoortel, Jurgen Figys, Evelina Roegiers, Evi Mattioli, and Judith Bussé.
  • "Digital Advertising: Data Protection Risks and Challenges," Comeos, Data Protection Working Group, Brussels, Belgium (April 23, 2019). Speaker: Maarten Stassen.
  • "Internet of Things – Legal and IT Risks & Challenges," IJE/IBJ Open Table, Brussels, Belgium (April 4, 2019). Presenters: Tom Pace (Cylance), Maarten Stassen, Emmanuel Plasschaert, Eric Montens and Heidi Waem.
  • "Global Trade Strategy Forum," R3 Research Webinar (February 26, 2019). Speaker: Maarten Stassen.
  • "Recent Developments in International Cyber and Privacy Laws: Implications on Insider Threat Program," Webinar, ABA Public Contract Law Section Cybersecurity, Privacy, and Data Protection Committee (December 18, 2018). Speaker: Maarten Stassen.
  • "Cybersecurity Incident Management," IJE/IBJ Open Table, Brussels, Belgium (November 30, 2018). Presenters: Evan D. Wolff, Maarten Stassen, Frederik Van Remoortel, and Heidi Waem.
  • "Busting Myths and Legends About Blockchain," IAPP Europe Data Protection Congress 2018, Brussels, Belgium (November 29, 2018). Speaker: Maarten Stassen.
  • "Privacy Impact Assessments, The Full Picture," IAPP Europe Data Protection Congress 2018, Brussels, Belgium (November 27, 2018). Chair and Speaker: Maarten Stassen.
  • "Data Breach & Incident Handling, The Full Picture," IAPP Europe Data Protection Congress 2018, Brussels, Belgium (November 27, 2018). Chair and Speaker: Maarten Stassen.
  • "Tackling Big Data and IoT Challenges and Enforcement Trends in the EU’s Digital Single Market," ICPHSO International Symposium, Brussels, Belgium (November 12, 2018). Chair and Speaker: Maarten Stassen.
  • "GDPR and Beyond," Crowell & Moring's Trade Association Breakfast Series, Washington, D.C. (July 31, 2018). Speakers: Maarten Stassen, Jeffrey L. Poston, and Peter B. Miller.
  • "Supply chain risk management: blockchain, forced labor, the U.K. Modern Slavery Act, and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)," Trade in 2018 - What's Ahead?, Webinar (April 19, 2018). Presenters: Michelle J. Linderman, Jeffrey L. Snyder, Maarten Stassen and Aaron Marx.
  • "GDPR: Pain Points and Enforcement Risk," ABA Section of Antitrust Law Spring Meeting, Washington, D.C. (April 2018). Speaker: Maarten Stassen.
  • "GDPR: An EU Framework for Managing Privacy and Data Security Risk," Wilson Center, Washington, D.C. (April 3, 2018). Speakers: Evan D. Wolff, Peter B. Miller, and Maarten Stassen.
  • "Data Protection Impact Assessments, The Full Picture," IAPP Global Privacy Summit 2018, Washington, D.C (March 2018). Chair and Speaker: Maarten Stassen.
  • "Beyond the First Year - Regulation in the Trump Era," Crowell & Moring Webinar (February 28, 2018). Co-Presenters: Thomas A. Lorenzen, James G. Flood, W. Scott Douglas, Christine M. Clements, Jodi G. Daniel, Robert Meyers, Michael Boucher, Daniel Cannistra, Jennifer A. Ray, Maarten Stassen, Jenny E. Cieplak, and Matthew B. Welling.
  • "Digital Circle: A Blockchain Bootcamp," Brussels (January 18, 2018). Chair and Speaker: Maarten Stassen.
  • "GDPR: Why Should Indian Companies Care?" Trade and Investment Partnership Summit (TIPS), Brussels, Belgium (December 5, 2017). Speaker: Maarten Stassen.
  • "Privacy Impact Assessments, The Full Picture," IAPP Europe Data Protection Congress 2017, Brussels, Belgium (November 7, 2017). Chair and Speaker: Maarten Stassen
  • "Data Protection Officer Course," Data Protection Institute (DPI), Antwerp, Belgium (November 6, 2017). Presenter: Maarten Stassen.
  • "The GDPR Deadline is Near. Issues and Priorities Towards Compliance," Crowell & Moring Seminar, Brussels, Belgium (October 26, 2017). Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert, Frederik Van Remoortel, and Maarten Stassen.
  • "Privacy Impact Assessments, The Full Picture," IAPP Global Privacy Summit 2017, Washington, D.C. (April 2017). Chair and Speaker: Maarten Stassen.
  • "Privacy Impact Assessment & Privacy by Design," CPDP Congress 2017, Brussels (January 25, 2017). Speaker: Maarten Stassen.
  • "GDPR: Identifying Key Challenges from a Practitioners Perspective," LSEC Leaders in Security, Brussels (December 19, 2016). Advisory Panel Member: Maarten Stassen.
  • "Customer Data: Their Rights, Your Obligations," European Customer Experience Conference, Athens, Greece (November 23, 2016). Speaker: Maarten Stassen.
  • "GDPR, Main Changes & Challenges," VOKA, Belgium (October 20, 2016). Speaker: Maarten Stassen.
  • "EU General Data Protection Regulation, the Impact on Japanese Companies and the Reaction To Be Taken," Seminar, Japanese Desk Deloitte, Belgium (June 9, 2016). Speaker: Maarten Stassen.
  • "Corporate Compliance, Privacy Update," Euronext, Brussels (April 26, 2016). Speaker: Maarten Stassen.
  • Half-Day Workshop, IAPP Europe Data Protection Congress, Brussels (2016). Chair and Speaker: Maarten Stassen.
  • "Privacy for Start-Ups," Deloitte Innovation Centre Academy, Leuven, Belgium (April 27, 2015). Speaker: Maarten Stassen.
  • "Privacy in Practice, Privacy Impact Assessments & Multidimensional Data Mapping," ETNO, Data Protection, Trust & Security Working Group, Brussels (April 24, 2015). Speaker: Maarten Stassen.
  • "Privacy Impact Assessments: The Full Picture," IAPP Europe Data Protection Intensive 2015, London, UK (2015). Chair and Speaker: Maarten Stassen.
  • "Staying Ahead of the Wave: From Cyber Security to Cyber Resilience," CPDP Congress, Brussels (2015). Chair and Speaker: Maarten Stassen.
  • "Building a Global Privacy Programme," IAPP Europe Data Protection Congress, Brussels (2014). Speaker: Maarten Stassen.
  • "How To Build a Global Privacy Programme," IAPP Europe Data Protection Intensive, London, UK (2014). Speaker: Maarten Stassen.
  • "Building a Global Privacy Programme," IAPP Europe Data Protection Congress, Brussels (2013). Speaker: Maarten Stassen.
  • "How To Build a Global Privacy Programme," IAPP Europe Data Protection Intensive, London, UK (2013). Speaker: Maarten Stassen.
  • "Internal Staff Awareness as a Key Link in the Secure Data Chain," E.N.G.'s 7th Senior Executive Summit, Strategic Data Protection & Compliance, Amsterdam (October 3, 2012). Speaker: Maarten Stassen.
  • "La LOPD y la Diligencia del Empresario," Expansión Speaker: Maarten Stassen.
  • "Cross-Border Mergers: A Practical Introduction," Brussels and Barcelona Bar Associations, Barcelona, Spain Speaker: Maarten Stassen.
  • "El Nuevo Reglamento de Protección de Datos: Un Año de Experiencia," Gómez-Acebo & Pombo, Barcelona, Spain Speaker: Maarten Stassen.
  • "La Aplicación del Nuevo Reglamento de la LOPD," Chamber of Commerce of Belgium and Luxembourg, Barcelona, Spain Speaker: Maarten Stassen.

Publications


Client Alerts & Newsletters


Press Coverage


Firm News & Announcements

April 13, 2022 Legal 500 EMEA Ranks Crowell & Moring in 11 Practice Areas and Recognizes Seven Lawyers
December 14, 2021 DEAL NOTE: Crowell & Moring Advises Kymco Capital and Kwang Yang Motor Co. in First Publicly Traded EV Motorcycle Company in U.S., Valued at $1.77 Billion
April 16, 2021 Legal 500 EMEA Ranks Crowell & Moring in 11 Practice Areas and Recognizes Seven Lawyers
April 27, 2020 Legal 500 EMEA Recommends Crowell & Moring in 11 Practice Areas and Recognizes 13 Lawyers
April 16, 2019 Legal 500 EMEA Recommends Crowell & Moring in 11 Practice Areas and Recognizes 14 Lawyers
January 3, 2019 Crowell & Moring Elects Eight New Partners and Promotes 21 Associates to Counsel
October 3, 2017 Leading Privacy and Cybersecurity Lawyer Maarten Stassen Joins Crowell & Moring’s Brussels Office