WilmerHale is pleased to announce today that D. Reed Freeman, a leading authority on privacy, cybersecurity; online, mobile, and social media advertising law issues; and on defending clients in Federal Trade Commission (FTC) consumer protection investigations, has joined the firm as partner and co-chair of the Cybersecurity, Privacy and Communications practice in WilmerHale’s Washington DC office.
“Reed brings extensive privacy and data security experience to WilmerHale, having spent two decades advising clients on compliance and FTC and state investigations,” said Robert Novick, co-managing partner of WilmerHale. “Reed is one of the leading practitioners in this space, and his ability to navigate complex regulatory obligations, paired with his enforcement experience also will augment WilmerHale’s already robust privacy and cybersecurity capabilities to meet the growing demand.”
Mr. Freeman joins WilmerHale following 15 years in private practice, handling a wide range of privacy, data security, and advertising matters, and leading the defense of dozens of FTC and state consumer protection investigations.
Mr. Freeman also has in-house experience, having served as the chief privacy officer and vice president for legislative and regulatory affairs for Claria Corporation, a software company focusing on online advertising, as well as FTC experience, having also served as a staff attorney in the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. In addition, he is a fellow of the Ponemon Institute, an organization dedicated to independent research that advances responsible information, privacy and security management practices in business and government, and previously served as a member of the Department of Homeland Security’s Data Privacy and Integrity Advisory Committee.
“WilmerHale has a world-class reputation in cybersecurity and privacy. Clients turn to the firm for multifaceted, high-stakes matters, such as data breach responses and privacy issues that have the potential to result in liability and brand damage,” said Mr. Freeman. “I look forward to working with a talented team and taking advantage of new opportunities to advise clients on the rapidly evolving challenges that are reshaping the privacy and cybersecurity landscape.”
Mr. Freeman will work closely with other groups in which privacy, cybersecurity, and consumer protection issues arise from WilmerHale’s broad client base in the financial, securities, communications, healthcare, e-commerce, energy, technology and defense industries.
Mr. Freeman earned his JD from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1993 and his BA from the University of Richmond in 1990. After graduating law school, he clerked for the Hon. Claude M. Hilton, US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.