This era of rapidly evolving technology has spawned an increasingly complex web of global privacy and data protection laws and industry self-regulatory programs that govern the collection, use, sharing and retention of individual data. This environment presents opportunities and challenges for virtually all organizations. The conduct of commerce, social interactions, information acquisition, work, education and the delivery of government services are accomplished online, over social media platforms or via mobile apps. Licensing, vendor and other commercial agreements must include privacy and data protection provisions because commercial relationships raise complicated issues about access, ownership and control of personal information.

Our attorneys are at the vanguard providing advice about legal and business risks as the legal frameworks for protecting privacy and information continue to evolve and try to keep pace with developments in technology.

We:

• Provide advice and formulate and implement compliance strategies for state and federal privacy and data protection requirements.
• Provide risk assessment based on clients’ services, products and business objectives.
• Draft privacy, data protection and pertinent employee training policies and programs.
• Assist clients in evaluating pertinent federal legislative and regulatory initiatives and formulating appropriate responses, including coalition building, strategic communications, arranging meetings with key policy makers, and assisting them to play an important role in developing policy.
• Assist clients in complying with EU privacy and data protection law including rules governing data transfers and pertinent safe harbors, partnering with appropriate EU law firms as needed.

We are frequent speakers on legal trends involving privacy and have published a number of articles on these topics, including the widely read and highly regarded STLRO Privacy & Information Law Update. We are also active members of the International Association of Privacy Professionals and Federal Communications Bar Association Committee on Privacy and Data Security.