GDPR for law firms: records of processing, DPA and compliance 2025
Law firms handle especially sensitive data. We analyse specific GDPR and LOPDGDD obligations: records of processing, legal bases, DPIA, professional privilege and using AI tools with client data.
Law firms as data controllers under GDPR
Law firms process uniquely sensitive data: health data (Art. 9 GDPR) in disability/accident cases, criminal data (Art. 10 GDPR) in criminal proceedings, financial data in divorce/insolvency, litigation strategy protected by professional privilege.
Key obligations: Records of Processing Activities (Art. 30): required for all processing activities with purpose, legal basis, data categories, recipients, retention periods and security measures. Legal bases: contract performance (6.1.b) for case management; legal obligation (6.1.c) for document retention; legitimate interest (6.1.f) for marketing to past clients. DPIA (Art. 35): required for AI analysis of client data, large-scale special category data processing, international transfers.
AI tool compliance: DPA with AI provider (Art. 28 GDPR); EU server hosting (no US transfer without adequate safeguards); update Records of Processing; inform clients of AI analysis of their files. Lexiel: Madrid (EU) servers, standard DPA included, no client data used for training.
AEPD sanctions: €5,000 for failure to respond to subject access request in time; €15,000 for sending court brief with client data to wrong recipient.
Try Lexiel free · 28 days
Use code LEX-BLOG for double the standard trial period. Cancel anytime, no commitment.