Profile
Reena R. Bajowala has deep experience in artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, data privacy, and information technology law. With advanced certifications as a Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM), a Certified Information Privacy Professional U.S. Private-Sector (CIPP/US), and a Certified Information Privacy Technologist (CIPT), and being named a Fellow of Information Privacy (FIP) by the International Association of Privacy Professionals, Reena is a trusted advisor to clients navigating complex privacy and cybersecurity challenges. Her leadership extends to her role on the Steering Committee of the U.S. Secret Service’s Chicago Cyber Fraud Task Force, and as a 2021-2023 Fellow of the American Bar Association’s Cyberspace Law Subcommittee.
When faced with a data breach, including in business email compromise, ransomware, or wire transfer fraud scenarios, clients turn to Reena to investigate, remediate, and comply with legal obligations. She conducts risk assessments, develops privacy and InfoSec compliance programs, and leads proactive incident response planning, including developing incident response and communications plans, and conducting executive tabletop exercises. Reena helps regulated entities comply with cybersecurity requirements, including pursuant to SEC guidelines, DOL EBSA’s ERISA guidance, and HIPAA Security Rule standards.
Reena helps companies stand up AI governance programs, including creating policies, procedures, disclosures, vendor management, and trainings for a defensible compliance program. She drafts agreements for companies that are developing and/or deploying AI tools. She keeps up to date on AI legislation and regulatory enforcement domestically and globally. She has helped regulated companies institute programs that navigate complexities of existing privacy regulation and artificial intelligence laws. She also assists companies evaluate the risks associated with emerging technologies.
Reena has wide-ranging litigation and trial experience, including over 100 days of first-chair trial experience. She represents buyers and providers of IT services regarding issues ranging from billing and performance disputes arising from Master Services Agreements and Service Level Agreements to copyright and licensing disputes pursuant to Software Licensing and SaaS agreements. Reena also works to protect the interests of companies during software audits.
A passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Reena has been widely recognized for her leadership and pro bono work. She has been named a “cornerstone” of SABA North America, a “best under 40” by NAPABA, and a “powerful and influential woman” by the Illinois Diversity Council. Her dedication to justice has earned her accolades from organizations such as the Shriver Center on Poverty Law and the Public Interest Law Initiative. In 2005, she founded the University of Michigan Law School’s Origins Public Interest Fellowship, which has provided hundreds of thousands of dollars of funding to public interest students.
Concentrations
- Artificial intelligence governance programs
- Data breach response
- Risk assessments
- Privacy and information security compliance programs
- Vendor management
- Software audits
Capabilities
Experience
- Counseled an insurance company in standing up an artificial intelligence governance program.
- Created a data protection program for a multi-billion publicly-traded global manufacturer.
- Serve as outside privacy counsel for a $15 billion financial company.
- Serve as data breach coach in ransomware, business email compromise, and fraudulent wire transfer incidents, including for health care, financial services, automotive industry, and government contractor clients.
- Conducted a global multi-disciplinary risk assessment for a social media platform.°
- Conducted a cybersecurity risk assessment and implemented a vendor management program for an international university.°
- Resolved multimillion-dollar IT dispute on behalf of a fast-food company.°
- Resolved contentious software audit dispute for client, reducing demand for licensing fees by 97%.°
- Conducted multiple table-top exercises to test incident response plans on behalf of clients.°
- Counseled a web-based food delivery service on international contract and criminal laws applicable to its global call centers.°
- Directed global analysis of laws applicable to data centers of leading cloud-based storage provider.°
- Analyzed international digital marketing laws for a payroll processing company.°
- Won dismissal of wage and hour claims against global IT company in a hybrid class and collective action.°
- Defeated plaintiffs in a series of related state and federal consumer fraud class actions against a leading American distributor and Japanese automobile manufacturer.°
- Dissolved an improperly obtained temporary restraining order obtained against a top online marketplace in a trademark litigation challenging company’s central business model.°
°The above representations were handled by Ms. Bajowala prior to her joining Greenberg Traurig, LLP.
- Fellow of Information Privacy (FIP), International Association of Privacy Professionals, 2024
- Certified Information Privacy Professional U.S. Private-Sector (CIPP/US), 2021
- Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM), 2021
- Certified Information Privacy Technologist (CIPT), 2018
- Adjunct Professor, University of Michigan Law School, 2020
- PILI Fellow, American Civil Liberties Union, Roger Baldwin Foundation, 2005
- PILI Intern, Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Foundation, 2003
Recognition & Leadership
- Listed, The Legal 500 United States, Media, technology and telecoms> Cyber law (including data privacy and data protection), 2024
- Recipient, South Asian Bar Association (SABA) North America, “Cornerstone Award,” 2023
- Business Leadership Award, JKYog, 2023
- Selected, Leading Lawyers, 2024 - 2025
- Emerging Lawyer – Class Action/Tort Defense, Commercial Litigation, 2019
- Distinguished Alumni, Public Interest Law Initiative, 2018
- Listed, Super Lawyers magazine, Illinois Super Lawyers Rising Stars, 2011, 2013, 2018-2019
- Selected, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, Best Under 40, 2017
- Selected, Womenetics, POW! Award, 2015
- Selected, Illinois Diversity Council, Most Powerful & Influential Women, 2014
- Member, American Bar Association, Business Law Section, 2018-Present
- Spring Meeting Lead, Cyberspace Law Subcommittee, 2024
- Fellow, Cyberspace Law Subcommittee, 2021-2023
- Member, Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, 2013-Present
- Fellow, 2013
- Regional Programming Lead, 2021-2023
- Chair of Outreach Committee, 2014-2015
- Steering Committee Member, Cyber Fraud Task Force – Chicago, 2021-Present
- Co-Chair, Illinois Legal Aid Diversity & Inclusion Working Group, Lawyer’s Trust Fund, 2019-2021
- Board Member, Albany Park Theater Project, 2014-Present
- President, 2022-Present
- Advisory Board Member, Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Foundation, 2016-Present
- Member, South Asian Bar Association, 2005-Present
- 2008 Conference Co-Chair (Chicago), 2007-2008
- Co-Chair, Women’s Committee (Chicago), 2012-2013
- Chair, Membership Committee (National), 2010-2011
- Board Member, Public Interest Law Initiative, 2015-2018
- Tech Council Member, 1871, 2018-2022
- Co-Chair, Drone Interest Group’s Legal & Regulatory Subcommittee, 2019-2022
- Member, Emerging Leaders Council, Legal Services Corporation, 2019-2021
Credentials
- J.D., cum laude, University of Michigan Law School, 2005
- B.A., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2001
- Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit