DENVER and CHICAGO – Sept. 30, 2020 – Greenberg Traurig, LLP has added two nationally-recognized data privacy and security attorneys from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP) to the firm’s Global Data, Privacy & Cybersecurity Practice. Shareholder Jena M. Valdetero joins in Chicago and Shareholder David A. Zetoony in Denver.
“We are always focused on hiring experienced attorneys who can address the evolving needs of our clients and complement our existing team,” said Greenberg Traurig CEO Brian Duffy. “This is an example of that commitment, as our clients and their businesses are dealing with the challenges of a surge in remote work due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a need for increased assistance with data security issues. Jena and David bring significant experience in data security and privacy matters that will be an immediate asset to our clients.”
Valdetero and Zetoony will serve as co-chairs of Greenberg Traurig’s U.S. Data, Privacy & Cybersecurity Practice, while Gretchen A. Ramos and Viola Bensinger will continue to serve as co-chairs of the firm’s Global Data, Privacy & Cybersecurity Practice.
“We are delighted to welcome these talented data privacy and security attorneys and expect to further expand the team in this area,” said Ramos, who in 2019 was named among the Top Cyber attorneys in California by the Daily Journal. “Their extensive experience guiding clients through complex compliance issues, data breaches, regulatory investigations, and privacy litigation, will strengthen and mesh nicely with our existing global bench of seasoned data protection attorneys dedicated to providing clients with practical solutions.”
Valdetero advises clients on complex data privacy and security issues and has led more than 1,000 data breach investigations. With a background in litigation, she defends companies against privacy and data breach litigation, with an emphasis on class action lawsuits. She also counsels companies on data privacy and security compliance programs and advises on cyber risks associated with mergers and transactions. She writes and speaks frequently on data privacy and security issues and is a certified privacy professional through the International Association of Privacy Professionals (CIPP/US), for which she is a former KnowledgeNet co-chair. A passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, Valdetero currently serves as a board member of the Chicago chapter of the Women in Law Empowerment Forum. She earned a J.D., cum laude, from Georgetown University and a B.A., summa cum laude, from The George Washington University.
Zetoony has been widely recognized for his achievements in data privacy and cybersecurity, including by the National Law Journal as a “Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Trailblazer,” and by Lexology as the top “Legal Influencer” in the area of technology, media, and telecommunications in the United States, the European Union, and in the context of cross-border transfers of information. His practice focuses on helping businesses navigate data privacy and cyber security laws from a practical standpoint. He has advised hundreds of companies on establishing and maintaining ongoing privacy and security programs; and he has defended corporate privacy and security practices in investigations initiated by the Federal Trade Commission and other data privacy and security regulatory agencies around the world, as well as in class action litigation. Recognized as a thought leader in the data security field, Zetoony is the author of the American Bar Association’s (ABA) primary publication on the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), is writing the ABA’s primary publication on the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and is a former KnowledgeNet co-chair. He earned a J.D. from University of Virginia and a B.A., cum laude, from Rice University.
Associate Jessica Pederson, also from BCLP, has joined in the Chicago office, where she will be part of the Data, Privacy & Cybersecurity Practice.
“We are excited to join Greenberg Traurig and enhance its team of experienced data, privacy and cybersecurity attorneys,” said Valdetero and Zetoony in a joint statement. “The firm offers a collaborative culture across multiple practice areas and a global platform that will benefit our clients greatly, at a time when data privacy and security issues are center stage across the United States and internationally. Together we believe that we offer one of broadest and deepest privacy benches in the country to our clients, as we continue growing the team.”
About Greenberg Traurig’s Data, Privacy & Cybersecurity: Greenberg Traurig’s Data, Privacy & Cybersecurity Practice is comprised of a multidisciplinary group of attorneys and professionals located throughout the world. GT’s team of dedicated data protection attorneys have experience working hand in hand with organizations of all sizes to develop practical strategies and provide strategic advice on virtually all aspects of data protection including CCPA, GDPR and other compliance issues; data use, transfer and licensing issues; data breaches and regulatory investigations; and defending against privacy-related class actions.
About Greenberg Traurig, LLP: Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT) has approximately 2200 attorneys in 40 locations in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. GT has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, diversity, and innovation, and is consistently among the largest firms in the U.S. on the Law360 400 and among the Top 20 on the Am Law Global 100. Web: www.gtlaw.com Twitter: @GT_Law.