Global law firm Baker McKenzie announced today that Justine Phillips has joined the Firm’s Intellectual Property and Technology Practice as a Partner in Los Angeles. She brings extensive experience navigating complex cybersecurity and data privacy issues, including risk and resiliency, cyberattack and data breach preparedness and response, compliance and investigation, and cyber litigation. Phillips arrives at Baker from DLA Piper.
Justine focuses her practice on both proactive and reactive cybersecurity and data privacy services, advising clients through the development of practical and actionable programs and solutions to manage data, technology, cyber threats, privacy, security and digital assets. The proactive and customized programs address the ever-changing laws and regulations in this space and include compliance-related data mapping, vendor management, cyber risk management and mitigation, and cyber-awareness policies and trainings. Justine also provides reactive cyber services including data incident and cyberattack response, crisis management and investigation, compliance with notice obligations, regulatory inquiries and investigations, and cyber litigation. A frequent speaker and writer on data privacy best practices, Justine recently co-authored a privacy book for in-house counsel, Data Privacy Program Guide: How to Build a Privacy Program that Inspires Trust.
“Cybersecurity concerns are a Board-level issue for companies across all industries as the risk of data breaches and other cyberattacks continues to grow. Justine is highly skilled at helping clients navigate their data privacy and cybersecurity challenges so they can protect their businesses and thrive,” said Brian Hengesbaugh, who serves as chair of Baker McKenzie North America Intellectual Property and Technology Practice and chair of the Firm’s Global Data Privacy and Security Business Unit. “The valuable synergies Justine’s practice brings to our data privacy and cybersecurity groups will build on the Firm’s profile in these key areas while advancing the continued expansion of our practice in North America and around the world.”
Added Joyce Smith, a Partner in the Firm’s San Francisco office and member of the Firm’s Global Executive Committee, “Justine is a tremendous addition to our Firm. The depth and breadth of her background in data breach preparedness and incident response will enable her to provide nuanced, practical guidance to clients as they look to mitigate risk and respond quickly when threats arise.”
Justine is the latest data privacy and cybersecurity lawyer to join Baker McKenzie in recent months. Other additions to the group include:
• Former Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr. in New York
• Former Cybercrime Prosecutor Elizabeth Roper in New York
• IP Technology Transactions and Privacy Lawyer Cynthia Cole in Palo Alto
• Technology Transactions, Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Lawyer Rachel Ehlers in Texas
• Data and Technology Partner Vinod Bange in London
• Intellectual Property Transactions and Disputes Lawyer Natalie Ellerby in London
Justine joins Baker McKenzie’s growing Los Angeles office, which has expanded to over 50 lawyers and business professionals since it opened in 2018.
“We are focused on continued growth in Los Angeles and Justine further enhances the scope of our offerings in Southern California,” said Perrie M. Weiner, partner-in-charge of the Los Angeles office and chair of Baker McKenzie’s North America Securities Litigation Practice. “Adding a practitioner of Justine’s caliber is a major milestone for our office in LA and we are thrilled to welcome her to the team.”
Added Mike Brewer, Managing Partner of the Firm’s California offices, “Our clients continue to tell us that cybersecurity is among their top business concerns. Justine is an extremely well-regarded practitioner in California and adds significant depth to our bench of standout practitioners in this area.”
Baker McKenzie’s robust cybersecurity and data privacy teams help protect clients against cybersecurity threats by developing, managing and implementing data security policies, procedures and emergency plans. The group assists with investigating data breaches, identifying reporting and notification obligations, and implementing strategies to minimize loss or damage. They also train company personnel on strategies and policies to minimize data security risks, respond to urgent data security incidents, and represent clients in disputes and investigations following data security breaches.
“I am delighted to join Baker McKenzie and its esteemed cybersecurity and data privacy team,” added Justine. “I look forward to partnering with a stellar group of professionals across the Firm to further deepen and expand our offerings to meet the evolving needs of our clients across the entire lifecycle of cybersecurity issues — from preparedness, to incident response, to litigation and compliance.”
Justine earned her BA from the University of San Diego and her JD from the University’s School of Law.
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