The ‘exceptional’ privacy and cybersecurity team at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP is recommended for its ’pragmatic and business focused advice’. Clients spanning the retail, consumer products, technology, financial services, energy and health care sectors seek out the team for its expertise in complex, large-scale cybersecurity incident response, along with in-depth knowledge of privacy law compliance requirements. Breach response expert Lisa J. Sotto heads the firm’s global practice; her ‘expertise and prominence are unmatched’. Aaron Simpson is praised by clients as the ’epitome of a commercially-minded attorney’, with notable experience of UK and EU privacy regulations and a track record advising private equity clients. Children’s privacy issues are a particular strength of Phyllis Marcus, working out of Washington DC and offering extensive experience with the FTC children’s online privacy program. ‘Quite possibly the foremost expert in CCPA and CPRA in the United States’, associate Danielle Dobrusin is the go-to for emerging state privacy laws. Brittany Bacon regularly handles large-scale cybersecurity incidents, also an area of strength for Adam Solomon. Michael La Marca has a growing practice in AI, machine learning, and biometrics. All team members are based in New York unless otherwise stated.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The practice is exceptional. I have been working with Hunton in the privacy and data protection fields (and now Generative AI) for almost a decade now and they have always maintained very high quality standards and outstanding client service.

  • 'Potential clients will surely be interested in learning of Hunton's pragmatic and business focused advice. Hunton's practitioners understand business circumstances and provide guidance accordingly. Their feedback can be implemented as it is not theoretical nor vague.'
  • 'Hunton's broad global network of internal and external resources is very well leveraged in the best interest of their clients. Global projects are not siloed compilations of independent and unrelated advice. On the contrary, Hunton’s role as orchestrator and strategist ensures that work commissioned is practicable, actionable and consistent. The focus is not on providing clients with voluminous legal recitations, but instead actionable guidance readily implementable.'
  • ‘Lisa Sotto's expertise and prominence are unmatched. Lisa is a national and global luminary in the field of cyber and privacy law, continually sought after for her profound insights by numerous sophisticated stakeholders. Notably, Lisa's visionary leadership has directed the firm's focus more recently towards developing expertise in Generative AI, an extremely relevant area where clients require clever, pragmatic, and future-proof guidance—this is Lisa's default approach.'

  • 'Aaron Simpson consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that the product aligns perfectly with its intended purpose. He excels at offering alternative solutions to projects and delivers specific guidance tailored to accommodate the unique circumstances of each client. Aaron is the epitome of a commercially-minded attorney. He has an innate ability to provide practical, well-reasoned, and actionable advice swiftly. His skill in handling multiple complex matters is remarkable, as he adeptly simplifies them into easily understandable guidance.'
  • 'James Henderson, a master of GDPR and the UK's data protection legal landscape, proves his expertise not only through his ability to navigate these complex fields but also through his unwavering commitment to timely and responsive client support. Regardless of different time zones, James readily provides keen advice and ensures that his global clients receive prompt and properly aligned cross-border privacy guidance, consistent with both local regulations and business requirements.'
  • 'Danielle Dobrusin is a remarkable professional, undoubtedly a star who rose and keeps rising the field. She is quite possibly the foremost expert in CCPA and CPRA in the United States. Danielle is known for her pragmatism, business acumen, and exceptional responsiveness. She possesses a unique ability to simplify complex matters and concepts, providing clear and concise guidance. Her impact on the industry is undeniable, and she is poised to continue making significant contributions in the years ahead, benefiting fellow industry practitioners.'
  • 'Michael LaMarca is a top-tier professional in the field of privacy law, consistently demonstrating exceptional expertise. What sets Michael apart is his unique ability to seamlessly blend concepts from various jurisdictions into unified work products. His capacity to navigate diverse legal landscapes and create cohesive solutions is truly commendable, making him an invaluable asset to his clients and the industry as a whole. ’

Key clients

  • Cybereason Inc.
  • Google LLC
  • Silver Lake Technology Management
  • Tiffany & Co.
  • TPG Global
  • Comcast Corporation
  • Paramount Global
  • MUFG Union Bank

Work highlights

  • Advising a significant volume of privacy and data security advice to a leading private equity firm, including advising on issues related to its acquisitions, investments, commercial contracting, and regulatory compliance across the globe.
  • Advising a well-known global technology company, including advising on compliance with US and EU privacy law and assisting with its data transfer strategy.
  • Providing global data protection and privacy advice to a luxury retailer.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading lawyers
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Lisa J. Sotto