Orrick announced today that Thora Johnson has joined our Cyber, Privacy & Data Innovation practice as a partner in Washington, DC. Thora is an authority on health data-related privacy and cybersecurity and is the tenth partner to join the firm’s Life Sciences platform since 2019. Thora’s arrival follows the firm’s addition last week of corporate advisor Mike O’Donnell.

Thora helps clients navigate the explosion of new regulatory challenges at the intersection of technology and data in healthcare, including compliance with the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the 21st Century Cures Act, among other issues. She advises health care and health tech providers, tech companies that provide services to health care providers, and companies with self-insured health and welfare plans.

“We are absolutely thrilled to continue growing our cyber and privacy team by adding a world-class talent – and another woman leader – in the health tech and HIPAA space,” said partner Heather Egan Sussman, head of Orrick’s Cyber, Privacy and Data Innovation practice. “This is an area of booming demand from our clients seeking to innovate.”

“I’m excited to join Orrick’s market-leading cyber and privacy team and also to be part of the incredible, holistic offering that the firm is assembling to serve the life sciences sector,” said Thora. “I really look forward to building with my new colleagues.”

Thora joins from Venable, where she served as co-head of the firm’s Employee Benefits, Executive Compensation & Health practice.

Orrick is ranked Band 1 in Privacy & Security by Chambers Global, and Chambers USA named the firm Privacy & Security Law Firm of the Year in 2019.

In addition to Thora, new members of Orrick’s Life Science team this year include corporate advisor Mike O’Donnell from MoFo, IP and tech transactions authority David Schulman from Dechert and Gargi Talukder from Morgan Lewis, who serves as head of the firm’s life sciences patent strategy and prosecution practice. Orrick provides holistic solutions to more than 500 life sciences companies at all stages of the corporate lifecycle.