The growing data privacy & cybersecurity team at Paul Hastings LLP was bolstered by the July 2023 addition of Ryan Phair and Carter Simpson, formerly of Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP. Global chair of the practice group Aaron Charfoos, based in Chicago, is a go-to for litigation matters. Washington DC-based Phair is recommended as a ‘highly-experienced and skilled litigator’; Simpson, also in DC, is experienced in the defense of punitive class action arising from data breach. Sherrese Smith boasts in-depth expertise regarding data privacy and security laws both within the US and internationally, based in DC. Jacqueline Cooney departed the team in June 2023. Michelle Reed joined the team in Dallas from Akin in July 2024.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Ryan Phair and his team look out for issues that might impact us in this space and alert us in advance so we can make any necessary adjustments to business practices. In litigation, they are also excellent strategists.'
  • 'Ryan Phair is a highly-experienced and skilled litigator wo keeps our goals in mind to achieve the best possible outcomes.'

Key clients

  • L’Oréal USA Inc.
  • Modiface, Inc.
  • Charlotte Tilbury Beauty, Inc.
  • Ultimate Fighting Championship (d/b/a Zuffa, LLC)
  • GoTo Group, Inc. and its subsidiary LastPass
  • AvidXchange, Inc.
  • Bath & Body Works LLC
  • TED Foundation, Inc.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Aaron Charfoos

Other key lawyers

Sherrese Smith, Carter Simpson, Ryan Phair, Susan Leader, Michelle Reed