Holland & Knight Launches Data Security Team

WASHINGTON – July 16, 2012 – Holland & Knight is proud to announce that Steven B. Roosa and Christopher G. Cwalina have joined its Public Policy & Regulation Practice Group as partners and co-chairs of the newly created firm-wide Data Privacy and Security Team. Mr. Roosa and Mr. Cwalina will reside in the New York and Washington D.C. offices, respectively and will join current partners Ieuan Mahony and Shannon Salimone in leading the national group. 

"Data security is important to virtually every organization, and both Steve and Chris are well versed on the policies and regulations related to information privacy," stated Rich Gold, head of Holland & Knight's Public Policy & Regulation Practice Group. "Their extensive experience in data privacy and security, privacy compliance matters and class action litigation will boost our capabilities in this area and further strengthen our ability to counsel clients on issues important to them. Together, they will help lead a team of lawyers from different practice groups and offices so we can provide the full range of data security services to companies from various industry sectors."

Mr. Cwalina devotes his practice to privacy and data security compliance and defending companies in privacy-related litigation and investigations initiated by state attorneys general, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and other government agencies. He has represented a variety of clients on compliance and regulatory issues pertaining to data privacy and information security in multiple business sectors,and has extensive experience with federal and state privacy protection and data security laws in the United States and as well as internationally. In addition, he has served as vice president and assistant general counsel for ChoicePoint Inc. and Intersections Inc., where he developed privacy-related policies, procedures and compliance frameworks. In 2004, after ChoicePoint experienced the nation's first large-scale online security breach, Mr. Cwalina was responsible for managing the litigation and the investigations that followed by the FTC, SEC and multiple state attorneys general. His work on these investigations led to the creation of nationwide security breach laws and rules that, prior to 2004, only existed in California.

“Holland & Knight's highly collaborative, multidisciplinary and innovative approach to working with clients is a natural fit for my practice,” said Mr. Cwalina. "I welcome the exciting new challenge of developing a data privacy team with a global offering, one that works in all areas of information security matters for industries concerned with consumer protection issues."

Mr. Roosa's practice focuses on advising companies on mobile app privacy compliance, Internet tracking, web security and on-line reputation issues.  In the courtroom, he has represented a diverse array of companies in matters relating to consumer protection, anonymous on-line defamation, commercial disputes, and state and federal administrative law. He also has worked extensively on defending putative class actions involving Flash cookies and was instrumental in obtaining voluntary dismissals for three large clients in recent proceedings in Arkansas.  Beyond his practice, he is a fellow at the Center for Information Technology Policy at Princeton University, where he conducts policy research regarding web security and on-line trust architectures. 

“Holland & Knight's in-depth understanding of governmental operations and political perspectives, as well as the federal policy and regulatory process, sets it apart from others in the lobbying field,” said Mr. Roosa. “I'm excited to be a part of this group, and I look forward to working with Chris to create a data privacy team that will help clients understand and meet the privacy and data protection requirements for all countries where data is collected, processed and stored.”

Mr. Roosa received a J.D. degree from Rutgers School of Law and a B.S. degree from Cornell University. Mr. Cwalina graduated with a B.A. degree from Gettysburg College and received a J.D. degree cum laude from University of Baltimore School of Law. Both attorneys come to Holland & Knight from Reed Smith.

About Holland & Knight LLP: Holland & Knight is a global law firm with more than 1,000 lawyers and other professionals in 17 U.S. offices, as well as Abu Dhabi, Beijing, Bogotá and Mexico City. Among the nation's largest law firms, Holland & Knight provides representation in litigation, business, real estate and governmental law. Interdisciplinary practice groups and industry-based teams provide clients with access to attorneys throughout the firm, regardless of location. www.hklaw.com.