David Almeida Joins Sheppard Mullin

CHICAGO, Aug. 1, 2013 — David S. Almeida has joined Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP in the firm’s Chicago office as a partner in the firm's Business Trial practice group and Privacy and Data Security practice.  Almeida joins from Sedgwick, where he was co-chair of that firm's Privacy and Data Protection Group.  Associate David M. Poell joins Almeida at Sheppard Mullin in Chicago from Sedgwick. 

"David is a top-notch litigator, whose data privacy background and expertise is an excellent fit with us.  We continue to grow core practice groups like Business Trial and expand our litigation capabilities to better serve clients," said Guy N. Halgren, chairman of Sheppard Mullin.

“We are very pleased and excited to have David join us in Chicago.  He is a great addition to our growing Chicago office, and we look forward to working with him and his clients,” commented Lawrence C. Eppley, managing partner of Sheppard Mullin’s Chicago office. 

“David is a prominent authority on a variety of issues that concern privacy, direct and mobile marketing, emerging payment systems, and social and digital media.  He adds significant depth and breadth to our growing privacy practice and we are thrilled to welcome him to the group,” commented Craig Cardon, co-chair of Sheppard Mullin’s Privacy and Data Security practice. 

"I am excited to join Sheppard Mullin.  I was particularly impressed with the firm’s Privacy and Data Security group and its capabilities, as well as the firm’s collegial culture and entrepreneurial spirit," Almeida stated. 

Almeida focuses his practice on commercial litigation and, most notably, on the defense of class action lawsuits brought under various consumer protection laws.  His substantive practice areas are varied and include all aspects of consumer protection law, including defense of alleged consumer fraud, unfair and/or deceptive business practices claims, many of which are often associated with online and offline privacy issues, direct marketing, mobile and electronic commerce platforms, loyalty programs and various promotions practices.  A significant portion of Almeida’s practice is devoted to defending Fortune 500 and other companies against class and individual actions brought further to a variety of state and federal consumer protection statutes, including the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA), the Electronic Funds Transfer Act (EFTA), the CAN-SPAM Act, as well as various state consumer fraud and unfair business practices acts and other laws. 

Almeida is frequently called upon to defend companies in litigation challenging their privacy and direct marketing practices.  He is well-versed in substantive privacy and marketing laws, regulations and best practices and thus is ideally suited to resolve litigation matters as well as to design and to implement effective, compelling and legally compliant marketing programs.  Almeida’s practice is truly national in scope as he has participated in the defense of more than 100 class actions in courts across the country, involving all stages of the litigation and appellate processes.

In addition to his litigation practice, Almeida works closely with his clients to navigate the various laws and regulations governing direct, social media, mobile (location-based) marketing, as well as electronic and mobile commerce, promotions, daily deal offerings, gift cards and loyalty programs.  He frequently counsels clients on all manner of consumer-facing disclosures (including privacy policies, terms of use and service, among others), and on global privacy compliance, with a particular emphasis on emerging technologies.  Almeida counsels clients on compliance with FTC and state trade regulation issues, including the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), CAN-SPAM Act, Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR), and “do not call” registries, as well as other regulatory agencies or bodies including, for example, the Payment Card Industry (PCI) data security standards.

Almeida was named this year as a “Chicago Rising Star” by The National Law Journal.  He received his J.D. from the Cornell Law School in 1999 and a B.A. from Salisbury University in 1995. 

Sheppard Mullin’s Business Trial practice group includes more than 200 attorneys firmwide.  The firm has 20 attorneys based in its Chicago office. 

Also today, Ariel Yehezkel joined Sheppard Mullin as a partner in the firm's New York office, as a member of the Corporate practice group.  Yehezkel most recently practiced at Kirkland & Ellis. 

About Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP

Sheppard Mullin is a full service Global 100 firm with 630 attorneys in 15 offices located in the United States, Europe and Asia.  Since 1927, companies have turned to Sheppard Mullin to handle corporate and technology matters, high stakes litigation and complex financial transactions.  In the U.S., the firm's clients include more than half of the Fortune 100.  For more information, please visit www.sheppardmullin.com.