Squire Patton Boggs has made two senior hires into its Data Privacy, Cybersecurity & Digital Assets Practice. These additions following a recent multi-office expansion of its data privacy practice across Europe as the firm continues to grow its global team.
- Julia B. Jacobson joins the firm as partner in New York from Arent Fox Schiff LLP.
- Shea Leitch joins the firm as of counsel in Washington DC from BakerHostetler LLP.
“With a team spanning 15 countries, we have built a comprehensive global practice that is equipped to meet the increasingly complex needs our clients face as data spans the globe,” said Alan Friel, chair of the firm’s Data Privacy, Cybersecurity & Digital Assets Practice. “Our new team members bring a diverse range of experience and new relationships that will take our practice to even greater heights.”
Commenting on her move, Ms. Jacobson said, “I was attracted to the breadth of Squire’s global platform and its commitment to building a premiere privacy team as the regulatory environment continues to get more complex and risks for clients grow. I’m delighted to join the firm and work with my new colleagues.”
Echoing Ms. Jacobson’s comments, Ms. Leitch said, “I’m really excited to join this dynamic practice. The Squire team boasts incredibly sophisticated expertise, with a truly global scope and collegial environment. Together, we can leverage these skills to provide comprehensive cross-jurisdictional services to meet the needs of our clients.”
Squire Patton Boggs is recognised among 25 Elite firms by Global Data Review in its 2022 edition of the GDR 100. With a team of more than 80 partners and associates in its Data Privacy, Cybersecurity & Digital Assets Practice, the firm advises clients on a diverse range of local, regional and international issues in both developed and emerging markets, operating under various data protection, privacy and cybersecurity regimes.
About the Team
Julia B. Jacobson has over 20 years of experience counselling national and multi-national organizations on an array of privacy, cybersecurity, data breach, and data governance matters, as well as technology transactions and marketing initiatives. Her clients include consumer products, data, ecommerce, energy, financial services, health care, life sciences, manufacturing, marketing services, private equity, retail and technology businesses, as well as not-for-profit organizations.
Ms. Jacobson assists clients with the design and development of privacy-sensitive policies for the collection and use of personal data. She regularly advises businesses on the privacy and cybersecurity aspects of ESG programs, ethical data use, machine learning and artificial intelligence, vendor contracting and management and business sales, combinations and acquisitions. She has helped her clients design, develop and implement compliance programs to meet the challenges of the evolving privacy and cybersecurity law landscape, including California Consumer Privacy Act and other U.S. state privacy and cybersecurity laws, EU’s General Data Protection Regulation, UK Data Protection Act 2018, cross-border personal data transfers and New York Department of Financial Services Cybersecurity Regulations, as well as to align with industry standards, including the NIST cybersecurity and privacy frameworks and ESG standards and frameworks.
Shea Leitch brings nearly a decade of experience serving as counsel to national and multinational companies in various sectors, including the social media, advertising, retail and transportation sectors who rely on her to provide advice as they build and adapt their global privacy and security programs. Ms. Leitch has assisted various clients with the development of international, enterprise-wide data protection programs, advising regarding data protection laws such as the GDPR, EU Data Protection Act, 2018, CCPA, as well as the various forthcoming U.S. state privacy laws. In light of the constantly evolving nature of data protection law, she routinely advises clients regarding the adaptation of existing privacy programs to satisfy new legislation. She also provides guidance on privacy compliance for clients using cutting-edge technologies, such as biometrics, artificial intelligence and advertising technology. As a strategic advisor, Shea helps clients bring products to market, by identifying practical solutions that facilitate business growth and innovation, while mitigating legal and regulatory risk. In addition to her proactive counselling practice, Ms. Leitch advises clients regarding the assessment and development of cybersecurity programs, helping clients benchmark and evolve their programs against cybersecurity frameworks such as the NIST Cybersecurity and 800-171 Frameworks.