Privacy & Information Security Law Blog

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP announced today that former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe has joined the firm as global strategy advisor at the Centre for Information Policy Leadership (“CIPL”), the firm’s global privacy and cybersecurity think tank.

McAuliffe will provide strategic counsel to CIPL, the firm, and clients with a particular focus on cybersecurity and privacy issues given his work and recognition in those fields during his governorship. Hunton’s privacy and cybersecurity practice has been ranked a top practice for privacy and data security from Computerworld, Chambers and Partners, and the Legal 500. As global strategy advisor at CIPL, McAuliffe will help shape strategic privacy and data security policy initiatives aimed at better positioning companies to address and mitigate fast-changing cyber and privacy risks. He also will support the development of next-generation privacy principles to facilitate secure global digital information exchange.

“Gov. McAuliffe brings a depth of understanding of global business, the challenges and opportunities facing it, and emerging issues related to cybersecurity and privacy matters that is hard to match,” said Wally Martinez, managing partner of Hunton Andrews Kurth. “His business acumen, coupled with his public service experience, will be very valuable for Hunton, the Centre for Information Policy Leadership, and our clients.”

“I am honored to be working with Hunton and CIPL on data protection and cybersecurity issues,” said McAuliffe, who served as Virginia’s governor from 2014 to 2018. “Cyber risks are some of the most serious threats to our nation’s security. By 2020, 200 billion networked devices are expected to be connected across the globe. Domestic and foreign actors target sensitive information and systems that, if compromised, could have significant economic and political consequences for all Americans.”

“Data protection is top of mind for every business leader, regulator and lawmaker as they work to navigate a rapidly changing technology environment and to safeguard digital trust,” CIPL President Bojana Bellamy said. “The experience Gov. McAuliffe brings to CIPL will ensure we are best positioning our members and the firm’s clients from a policy and business standpoint, while helping us be forward-thinking in the development of solutions for privacy and responsible data use.”