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Christopher J. Buontempo

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[email protected]

+1.617.239.8322

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Chris is a corporate attorney who advises companies, investors, and private equity sponsors at the intersection of technology, data, and regulation, with a particular focus on privacy, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.

With more than 15 years of experience, Chris is known for helping clients translate complex and rapidly evolving regulatory requirements into practical, business-oriented solutions. He counsels organizations ranging from startups and high-growth companies to global enterprises across the technology, health care, consumer products, financial services, and e-commerce sectors.

A core focus of Chris’s practice is guiding clients through the global privacy and AI regulatory landscape, including compliance with the EU GDPR, the expanding patchwork of US state privacy laws (such as the CCPA), and emerging AI governance regimes. He advises on the design and implementation of scalable compliance programs and has deep experience with sector- and data-specific frameworks, including consumer health data (such as the Washington My Health, My Data Act and similar state laws), biometric data (such as BIPA), children’s and education data (COPPA, FERPA), location-based services, AdTech and tracking technologies, and gaming regulations, including sweepstakes and contests.

Chris is a trusted advisor on the technology, data, and AI aspects of M&A and private equity transactions, representing buyers, sellers, and sponsors in domestic and cross-border deals, including platform acquisitions and add-on investments for private equity sponsors. Chris has developed repeat relationships with sponsors, serving as a go-to advisor across multiple portfolio investments. He works closely with deal teams to assess data assets and technology infrastructure, conduct diligence on privacy and cybersecurity risk, and negotiate transaction terms addressing data rights, AI-related issues, and regulatory exposure. In addition, he drafts and negotiates complex commercial agreements, including SaaS, software licensing, data licensing and sharing arrangements, outsourcing transactions, and strategic technology partnerships. Chris also advises on data commercialization issues, including data brokers, secondary data uses, and regulatory scrutiny of data aggregation and resale.

Beyond transactions, Chris counsels clients on cybersecurity risk management and operational readiness, including incident response planning, vendor and supply chain risk, and the integration of privacy and security considerations into product development and technology procurement. He also conducts privacy audits and risk assessments and advises on the development of policies, procedures, and governance frameworks.

Chris frequently serves as outside general counsel to emerging and middle-market companies, including private equity portfolio companies, advising founders, executive teams, and boards on commercial strategy, contracting, and growth initiatives in data-driven businesses. He regularly supports PE-backed management teams through growth and operational milestones, including post-acquisition integration and preparation for subsequent transactions.

Prior to joining Mintz, Chris held in-house legal leadership roles at a global technology company and a global consumer products organization, where he oversaw legal, privacy, and enterprise risk management functions, giving him a practical understanding of how regulatory requirements impact business operations.

He is an active thought leader who regularly speaks and writes on developments in privacy, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and emerging technology law.

viewpoints

UK Data Use and Access Act: New Complaints Process Effective June 19, 2026

June 17, 2026 | Blog | By Cynthia Larose, Christopher Buontempo

UK Data Use and Access Act reforms the ICO complaints process, requiring controller engagement and 45-day responses. Prepare with updated policies and training.

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FTC COPPA Enforcement - Still Alive and Well

September 5, 2025 | Blog | By Christopher Buontempo

Two recent high profile settlements signal that the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) will continue to aggressively enforce violations of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (“COPPA”). In a particularly high-profile settlement, Disney agrees to pay $10M, and Apitor, a toy manufacturer, agrees to make substantive changes to its privacy program.

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The California Consumer Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) Board has issued a Stipulated Final Order against Todd Snyder, Inc., a clothing retailer, ordering Todd Snyder to pay a $345,178 fine and implement various changes to its privacy program to resolve allegations from the CPPA that it violated the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). 

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Preparation for 2024 Fiscal Year-End SEC Filings and 2025 Annual Shareholder Meetings

December 17, 2024 | Advisory | By Anne Bruno, Daniel T. Kajunski, Melanie Ruthrauff Levy, Page R. Hubben, David Adams, Joanne Hawana, Jacob Hupart, Cynthia Larose, Breton Leone-Quick, Benjamin Zegarelli, Christopher Buontempo

Every year, Mintz provides analysis of the regulatory developments affecting public companies as they approach fiscal year-end filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and annual shareholder meetings. This memorandum highlights key considerations to guide you through the 2025 year-end reporting process.

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Dark Patterns come into focus as the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) issues September 4 Enforcement Advisory.

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Rhode Island Enacts Comprehensive Privacy Law

July 17, 2024 | Blog | By Christopher Buontempo

The RIDTPPA provides privacy rights to Rhode Islanders and imposes obligations on covered entities largely in line with several other U.S. state privacy laws.

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American Privacy Rights Act – Another Shot at a Comprehensive Federal Privacy Law

April 17, 2024 | Blog | By Cynthia Larose, Christopher Buontempo

Will the U.S. finally join most developed nations and pass a comprehensive federal privacy law?  Some believe this may be the year that the U.S. does just that.

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The FTC Sets Its Sights on Biometric Information

July 6, 2023 | Blog | By Christopher Buontempo, Cynthia Larose

Learn more about the FTC's recent policy statement regarding the collection of consumer's biometric information.

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News & Press

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Mintz represented SIMPL Automation, a Massachusetts–based warehouse automation company that develops modular, AI‑powered robotics and automated storage and retrieval systems, in its sale to The Home Depot, the world’s largest home improvement retailer. The transaction enables The Home Depot to accelerate supply chain automation while enhancing speed, efficiency, and delivery capabilities for in-demand products across its distribution network.  

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Mintz advised Vercept, a Seattle-based computer-use AI startup, in its sale to Anthropic, the leading AI safety and research company developing frontier-scale models and best known for its Claude family of large language models (LLMs). 

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Mintz advised Wavecrest Growth Partners on its acquisition of Dealerware, a leading software platform for dealer fleet and mobility program management, connecting over 60,000 vehicles at nearly 2,000 dealerships and OEMs across the US and Canada.

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Mintz advised Charlesbank Capital Partners (Charlesbank), a middle-market private equity firm, on its strategic growth investment in HBox, a leading virtual care platform for specialty practices. 

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Mintz is pleased to have represented Royal Philips, a global leader in health technology, in entering into an agreement to acquire SpectraWAVE, Inc., an innovator in Enhanced Vascular Imaging of coronary arteries, angiography-based physiology assessments, and the use of AI in medical imaging. SpectraWAVE’s intravascular imaging and physiological assessment technologies provide advanced solutions for the treatment of patients with coronary artery disease, affecting more than 300 million people worldwide. 

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Mintz announces the elevation of 12 attorneys to its partnership ranks across the US and Canada, effective January 1, 2026. These promotions build on the firm’s growth in 2025, which included 14 lateral partners spanning the firm’s geographies.

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Mintz advised Cultivo, a leading platform for developing and operating natural assets at scale, on its acquisition of leading carbon grasslands project developer Kateri.

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Mintz represented VMG Partners, a growth equity firm with a two-decade track record of scaling iconic consumer brands, in its partnership with Scenthound, the nation's first and leading dog wellness franchise. VMG’s investment will reinforce Scenthound’s leadership in the pet industry and accelerate its mission of revolutionizing pet care through routine hygiene and wellness.

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Mintz advised Charlesbank Capital Partners, a middle-market private investment firm, on its acquisition of Q6 Cyber, an intelligence and fraud prevention services provider. 

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Mintz represented Breed’s Hill Capital, a multi-family office overseeing approximately $3.5 billion in assets, in its acquisition by Corient, one of the nation’s leading wealth management firms. The transaction enhances Corient’s footprint in New England and advances its ability to deliver personalized fiduciary wealth management services across the region.

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Mintz advised PHLUR, a modern fragrance brand recognized for its emotion-led storytelling and accessible positioning, in its acquisition by TSG Consumer, a leading private equity firm specializing in consumer brands. 

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Mintz represented Quorum Cyber Security, a platform company of Charlesbank Capital Partners, in its acquisition of Kivu Consulting, Inc., a global cybersecurity firm specializing in Incident Response.

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Mintz Associate Christopher Buontempo was quoted in an article published by Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Online on security plans, policies, and other privacy measures for businesses to protect data as they manage their newly-remote workforces during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
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Events & Speaking