Former Department of Justice Chief Privacy Officer Nancy Libin Joins Jenner & Block's DC Office as Partner

WASHINGTON, Oct. 26, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Jenner & Block is pleased to announce that experienced privacy lawyer Nancy C. Libin, former Chief Privacy and Civil Liberties Officer at the US Department of Justice, is joining the firm as a partner in its Washington, DC office. Her practice encompasses law and policy with a focus on consumer protection and privacy, as well as national security and cybersecurity issues.  Ms. Libin's presence enhances the firm's newly established cybersecurity working group, an interdisciplinary team of lawyers that supports clients in preventing and investigating data breaches, responding to state-sponsored threats and advising on cyber insurance coverage.

Ms. Libin is a member of the firm's growing Privacy and Information Governance Practice founded and led by Mary Ellen Callahan, the former chief privacy officer for the US Department of Homeland Security, now a Jenner & Block partner.  Ms. Libin also joins the Communications, Internet & Technology Practice, which has earned a national reputation for excellence in handling communications matters before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and other agencies and courts. 

"Nancy is a highly regarded privacy lawyer whose presence further enhances our national privacy practice," said Terrence J. Truax, the firm's managing partner. "Given the multi-faceted privacy issues facing the business community, Nancy is well positioned to advise corporate clients on evolving standards. She has an in-depth understanding of privacy issues specifically concerning the communications and high-tech industries."

Mr. Truax added: "Businesses around the world are also grappling with cyber risk – and the huge implications that cyber attacks could mean for their reputation and bottom line. Our cybersecurity team understands the full spectrum of cybersecurity issues facing our clients. We are excited about how Nancy's practice dovetails with the group's capabilities."

Ms. Libin will enhance the firm's capabilities in areas that extend to the wireless ecosystem, including telecommunications and broadband providers that are subject to recently expanded FCC regulation and enforcement; government access to data; and the "Internet of Things," which cuts across multiple industry sectors. Her clients have included trade associations and companies that represent all aspects of the Internet ecosystem, including communications companies, app developers, electronics manufacturers and dealers, cloud providers and data analytics companies.  She also has advised clients on legal and policy issues related to education technology services and student privacy.

"I am looking forward to working again with Nancy, as she will position Jenner & Block to become a destination law firm on privacy and cybersecurity issues," said Ms. Callahan, who worked previously with Ms. Libin in their respective federal government roles during the first term of the Obama administration. "Nancy's government experience handling national security and cybersecurity issues is an added capability that firm clients are seeking, especially with the increased emphasis on proactive and reactive guidance."

In addition to Ms. Callahan and Ms. Libin, the cybersecurity team includes the former general counsel of a major network defense and forensic services company that investigates data breaches; a former university chief privacy officer, who understands technical tools and controls to secure information and prevent a data breach; and lawyers who have advised numerous companies on growing cybersecurity insurance issues. 

Ms. Libin brings a wealth of experience at the intersection of privacy and technology. She served for more than three years as the chief privacy and civil liberties officer at Justice, where she was the principal privacy adviser to the deputy attorney general. In that role, she focused on such issues as electronic surveillance, cloud computing, location privacy, data breach, cybersecurity and international data protection. She was extensively involved in bilateral and multilateral negotiations with foreign governments with respect to data protection agreements that govern and facilitate cross-border information flows.

Before working at Justice, Ms. Libin served as counsel to then-Senator Joe Biden on the US Senate Judiciary  Committee.  She helped draft legislation and advised on a range of issues, including privacy, electronic surveillance, civil liberties, national security and constitutional law.  Before that, she worked on digital privacy, Internet policy and consumer data protection as staff counsel at the Center for Democracy and Technology, a public policy organization that focuses on privacy and Internet law. 

"We are excited to have Nancy join the Communications, Internet & Technology Practice," said practice Co-Chair Samuel L. Feder. "She comes to us with vast experience working at the intersection of telecommunications and privacy/cybersecurity. She will be a great asset to our broadband and content provider clients who need counsel in this rapidly developing area."

Ms. Libin comes to Jenner & Block from Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP, where she led the privacy group. 

"I was drawn to Jenner & Block because of its dynamic growing privacy practice and because of its well-known, nationally recognized communications practice," Ms. Libin said. "I am excited to help clients navigate the often complex landscape of privacy law and policy, especially in the areas of consumer protection, national security and cybersecurity."

Ms. Libin earned her JD, cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center and her AB in history, cum laude, from Harvard University.

ABOUT JENNER & BLOCK'S PRIVACY AND INFORMATION GOVERNANCE PRACTICE
Businesses from around the world—and across all industries—turn to our Privacy and Information Governance Practice for counseling and litigation services to ensure the privacy and integrity of their sensitive information. We offer comprehensive counseling on privacy and data security issues, including data breaches and cybersecurity incidents, as well as performing policy audits related to relevant legislation and developing customized compliance programs. Clients also rely on our multi-disciplinary capabilities for internal investigations, regulatory enforcement actions and civil litigation. Our practice, led by the former chief privacy officer of the US Department of Homeland Security, integrates the firm's litigation excellence across multiple industries and agencies, both domestic and international, and includes professionals with on-the-ground experience handling cybersecurity issues.

ABOUT JENNER & BLOCK'S COMMUNICATIONS, INTERNET & TECHNOLOGY PRACTICE
Jenner & Block enjoys a decades-long reputation for excellence in handling communications matters before the Federal Communications Commission and other agencies and courts. We understand the novel legal and regulatory challenges presented by the convergence of telecom, Internet and cable technologies―and the impact of this convergence on the industry.  The practice is built on a tradition of excellence in representing communications and media companies.  This tradition began with our work as lead counsel on the antitrust suit against AT&T in the 1980s and continues with our work on the forefront of nearly all areas of communications law, including the Internet, cable, telecom, wireless, satellite and media. 

ABOUT JENNER & BLOCK
Jenner & Block (www.jenner.com) is a law firm with global reach, with approximately 480 lawyers and offices in Chicago, London, Los Angeles, New York and Washington, DC. Now in its second century of service, the firm is known for its prominent and successful litigation practice and experience handling sophisticated and high-profile corporate transactions. Firm clients include Fortune 100 companies, large privately held corporations, financial services institutions, emerging companies and venture capital and private equity investors. In 2015, The American Lawyer magazine named Jenner & Block as the number one Pro Bono Law Firm for the sixth time in eight years.   

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