Laura is Co-Chair of the Privacy, Cybersecurity & Data Strategy Practice Group, and a member of the Communications & Media Department, and AI & Emerging Technologies, Crisis Management and Willkie Digital Works Practice Groups. Laura has been recognized by Chambers USA as a leading lawyer for both Privacy and Cybersecurity and FinTech Data Protection and Cybersecurity. Focusing on the intersection of data, law and emerging technologies, Laura advises clients on a broad range of privacy, cybersecurity, social media and emerging technology matters including the development and use of AI and blockchain technologies. She has extensive experience identifying and mitigating privacy, data protection, and liability issues arising out of the collection, use and storage of data, use of third-party data and content, and implementation and the design of new business models, products and technologies. A former senior in-house counsel and C-suite executive, Laura understands the business, legal and technological challenges and opportunities her clients face and helps develop innovative approaches to maximize the value of their data-based assets.
Laura advises clients on US and international privacy and cybersecurity compliance, including obligations imposed by the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), as well as other US state privacy laws. She also advises clients on the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA), the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) and the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA), as well as other data security and breach notification laws. She has helped hundreds of clients build and enhance comprehensive privacy programs, while anticipating emerging and quickly evolving privacy and security obligations.
Laura also advises clients across a broad range of industries on the opportunities and risks related to deployment of new technologies, particularly AI, , generative AI and blockchain-enabled solutions. She also works with internet and social media companies on the development and deployment of new features, functionality and sharing of third-party content, including issues related to immunity under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, and related to law enforcement and other government access to personal data.
Laura also handles complex data security incidents, including several of the largest reported significant data breaches in the healthcare, fintech, internet, social media and hospitality sectors, among others. She directs forensic investigations, advises on notifications to US and international regulators, and leads sensitive interactions with law enforcement and national security agencies related to cyber incidents.
Experience
Prior joining Willkie, Laura served as general counsel, chief privacy and security officer at a healthcare data analytics company, and as chief privacy counsel at a major health insurer, where she helped lead the company’s response to one of the largest ever reported data breaches. Earlier, Laura served as vice president and chief litigation counsel at America Online, Inc. (AOL), where she played a critical role in the development of internet law, including early cases establishing the scope of ISP immunity under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and efforts to protect anonymous speech online. In addition, Laura led AOL’s response to a number of high-profile government investigations, including some of the first US and EU investigations into data privacy and antitrust matters in the technology industry. Laura also played a leading role in gaining US international regulatory approval of AOL’s merger with Time Warner in 2000, then the largest corporate merger in history. Laura later held a business role as chief of staff to AOL’s vice chairman.
- Chambers USA: Privacy & Data Security, Band 6 (2023)
- Chambers FinTech: Legal: Data Protection & Cyber Security – USA, Band 2 (2019–2023)
- Corporate Counsel, “Women, Influence & Power in Law” Awards – Thought Leadership (2020)
- The Legal 500 United States (2018, 2019)
- Expert Guides – Women in Business Law (2020)
Selected significant matters include*:
- Advising social media, private equity, entertainment, and other industry clients on development and deployment of generative AI technologies.
- Represented global hospitality company in connection with response to major data security incident that potentially exposed the personal information of up to 500 million guests at hotel properties. Engagement included advice on compliance with US and international data protection and data breach notification regulations, including EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
- Representing global financial services company in connection with regulatory investigations arising out of unauthorized access to customer personal information.
- Advising the Digital Dollar Project on potential privacy and security issues presented by the development and deployment of a U.S. Central Bank Digital Currency,
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Represented prominent internet company in federal and international law enforcement action related to nation-state sponsored data breach of more than 1 billion user accounts, resulting in indictment, extradition and conviction of foreign national.
- Advising leading internet and social media companies on applicability of Section 230 immunity in connection with new features, functionality and technologies.
- Represented social media app in connection with investigation by EU data protection authorities into overseas transfers of sensitive personal data.
* Laura advised on these matters prior to joining Willkie.
Credentials
Education
Harvard Law School, J.D. (cum laude), 1991 University of California, Berkeley, B.A. (with highest honors), 1986