CPW is proud to share with its readers that Global Data Review, a leading data law and regulation publication, has ranked Squire Patton Boggs among 25 Elite firms in its 2022 edition of the GDR 100.  GDR identifies and profiles the world’s leading law firms.  GDR notes that firms with the Elite designation in 2021 “consistently delivered top advice to multinational clients around the world.”  GDR recognized Squire Patton Boggs for its exceptional coverage, enabling it to serve as a single source for its clients’ data protection and privacy needs in the US and EU.  Additionally, with subject matter experts in nearly every office globally (including Russia, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific regions), GDR also lauded the firm’s cross-market capabilities.

Alan Friel, global co-chair of the firm’s Data Privacy, Cybersecurity & Digital Assets practice, shared thoughts on the acknowledgement by GDR: “‘Elite’ is the highest level awarded by the publication, and I am proud of our entire team whose hard work made this possible.  The recognition of our firm’s leading reputation, track record handling significant matters for household name clients and robust global practice is a testament to the dedicated service they provide to clients all over the world, day in and day out.  Our data team has, and continues, to grow exponentially to keep up with client needs and the quality of the talent we are attracting is very exciting.”

John Burlingame, global co-chair of the firm’s Litigation practice, similarly commented that: “We are living in an increasingly digital world and related disputes have become incredibly complex and widespread.  We have long been committed to building a premier practice to provide clients a full-suite of data solutions, including when litigation becomes necessary, which makes this recognition particularly gratifying.”

Data has become the currency of the world, and with more and more sensitive customer and business data being generated as a result, so too rises the legal ramifications.  In the highly competitive litigation space, the firm earned the #2 spot on GDR’s table.  Our team’s talent at crafting litigation strategy in high-stakes disputes led to multiple case victories in 2021.  Most notably, Kristin Bryan, partner Rafael Langer-Osuna and senior partner Damond Mace (who were individually recognized by GDR) obtained dismissal of three privacy litigations representing insurance software provider Vertafore.  Two of these litigations concerned a data event Vertafore publicly disclosed in November 2020.  In these cases Plaintiff sought to represent 27.7 million class members and demanded more than US$69 billion in statutory liquidated damages under the federal Driver’s Privacy Protection Act in addition to damages on negligence claims, injunctive relief, and potential punitive damages.  In addition, in 2021 the firm handled over 90 incident responses.

The firm was also distinguished in several other categories, including:

  • Top five by partner headcount
  • Top five by number of countries with a data team
  • Top 10 busiest firms – overall
  • Top 10 busiest firms – advisory

Over the past two decades, Squire Patton Boggs has established a highly experienced global Data Practice Group through a collaboration among our teams around the world; all told, over 60 partners and associates—and growing.  Our US team (chaired by an LGBT partner, Alan Friel) includes privacy professionals located across the country, including influential jurisdictions such as California, Washington DC and New York. Our team in Europe (chaired by a female partner, Rosa Barcelo) covers Pan-European matters out of Brussels and in most of the key capitals, as well as the UK. We have data protection experts based in our offices in Russia, the Middle East, Australia, China, Japan, and other jurisdictions and relationships with local firms in virtually every other country. We pride ourselves on giving pragmatic advice and helping our clients navigate cross-jurisdictional pitfalls and conflicts.

To learn more about or regional and practice foci see:

Privacy/Biometric Litigation

Privacy – US

Privacy – Europe

Privacy – Asia-Pacific

To lead more about the GDR Global 100 rankings, click here.