Alston & Bird has expanded its privacy, data security, and emerging technology capabilities with the addition of Amy Mushahwar as partner in the firm’s Washington, D.C., office.
Mushahwar, who arrives from Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, has more than 20 years of experience in the technology industry in both legal and consulting capacities. She focuses on data security, cyber risk, and privacy issues.
“As both a lawyer and former technology consultant, Amy brings significant legal knowledge and experience as well as business-oriented approach to helping clients unravel and fully understand the legal and regulatory risks in complex information systems and networks,” said Jim Harvey, Alston & Bird partner and co-chair of the firm’s Privacy & Data Security and Cybersecurity Preparedness & Response Teams. “With privacy and cybersecurity becoming watershed issues for many companies, Amy is ideally positioned to help clients in numerous industries with their data protection challenges.”
Mushahwar has considerable experience advising clients on all aspects of incident response, as well as advocating for clients on privacy and security actions before numerous regulatory agencies, including the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Federal Trade Commission, Federal Communications Commission, and state attorney general offices. Additionally, she advises companies on applicable security laws, payment card brand security standards, and security audit protocols.
Mushahwar’s background also includes broad privacy experience advising clients on compliance with laws such as the California Consumer Privacy Act, Telephone Consumer Protection Act, Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, Driver’s Privacy Protection Act, and Customer Proprietary Network Information regulations, as well as federal and state unfair and deceptive trade practices laws pertaining to privacy. She applies her privacy and data security advice to modern data environments using technologies such as virtualization, cloud computing platforms, Big Data, and artificial intelligence tools.
“Amy brings a wonderful combination of talent and experience both as a technology consultant and lawyer,” said Kim Peretti, Alston & Bird partner and co-chair of the firm’s Cybersecurity Preparedness & Response and National Security & Digital Crimes Teams. “She is a trusted adviser in working with clients in cybersecurity and data protection and advising them on the most pressing threats and shifting regulatory landscape.”
A frequent commentator and writer on data security, cybersecurity, and privacy issues, Mushahwar is active in industry circles as a member of the International Association of Privacy Professionals, InfraGard National Capital Region, and Executive Women’s Forum: Information Security, Risk Management & Privacy.
“Amy combines a technology consultant’s perspective with extensive legal experience that delivers real value to clients,” said Dennis Garris, partner in charge of Alston & Bird’s Washington, D.C., office. “Her experience advising on complex data protection and privacy issues and addressing the compliance challenges faced by clients in a variety of data-rich industries makes her a terrific addition to our team as we continue to grow to meet client demand.”