Manatt Expands National Privacy and Data Security Team With Technology Leader in DC

By: Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP via Business Wire

April 19, 2023 at 09:00 AM EDT

Paul Luehr brings three decades of experience across law, government and consulting, including handling some of the largest data security and privacy incidents in history

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, a multidisciplinary, integrated professional services firm, announced today that Paul H. Luehr has joined as a Privacy and Data Security Partner in Washington, D.C. Luehr has deep experience in law and technology, including with a top global cyber consulting firm as well as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). His arrival further cements Manatt as a go-to platform for clients navigating complex matters ranging from high-profile privacy litigation to compliance, risk management and incident response.

“Paul is one of the most versatile and technologically savvy cybersecurity lawyers in the country, having long served in leadership roles throughout the public and private sectors,” said Donna L. Wilson, CEO and Managing Partner of Manatt. “His multidisciplinary background and understanding of highly technical issues ranging from artificial intelligence to forensics are exactly what our clients need and look for, and his arrival is the latest example of how we bridge our consulting and legal capabilities to best serve clients in areas like privacy and data security, which demand legal, technology and business operations excellence.”

In the privacy arena, and drawing on his notable consulting and regulatory experience, Luehr advises companies on the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), new U.S. state privacy laws and FTC regulations, and brings a practical perspective on how to operationalize compliance obligations. On the cybersecurity side, Luehr is consistently recognized as a top incident response attorney, and he spent over a decade with a global consulting firm where he led security experts into some of the largest breaches on record. Previously, he prosecuted major cybercrimes for DOJ and led the first cross-agency Internet team for the FTC. Over his career, Luehr has managed complex digital forensics matters, led numerous investigations, argued cases at trial and on appeal, created robust compliance programs, and frequently advised Board Directors and officers on new privacy and cybersecurity risks and obligations. He also has broad experience addressing artificial intelligence, including performing cyber due diligence on mergers involving robotics and medical devices, and addressing new uses in financial services.

“Paul enhances our team’s ability to prepare comprehensive privacy and cyber frameworks that help clients minimize risk and also address operational and unforeseen challenges that may arise,” said Privacy and Data Security practice Co-Leader Scott Lashway. “We’re excited to welcome Paul to our team and look forward to tapping into his dynamic skill set as we further strengthen our ability to assist clients with the complete life cycle of data, IT and security management, litigation, and other critical industry services.”

Throughout his career, Luehr has been a trusted partner for organizations looking to optimize their privacy and data security practices. His experience advising a wide range of clients in D.C. and beyond—including national retailers, global financial institutions, digital health care organizations, web hosting companies, universities and manufacturers—gives him a unique understanding of the complex cybersecurity challenges and opportunities organizations face, as well as how to implement effective policies to mitigate crises and meet legal, technology and business needs.

“Groundbreaking digital and technological advancements continue to change the way my clients operate, and they increasingly look for partners that can provide a full spectrum of legal and consulting offerings,” said Luehr. “Manatt’s professional services model aligns with the needs of these clients, and I’m excited to join the D.C. office of this innovation leader.”

Luehr’s arrival is just the latest in Manatt’s growth in legal and consulting professionals this year, particularly in the D.C. office, following closely on the heels of Partners Nicholas (Nick) Bath Jr. and Bezalel (Bez) Stern in the Firm’s Health and Consumer Protection groups, respectively. Other recent hires across the country include Land Use Partner Fernando Villa; Government and Regulatory Partner Cassie Prugh; Intellectual Property Protection and Enforcement Counsel Sherli Furst; and Manatt Health National Advisor Dr. Troyen (Troy) A. Brennan, Senior Advisor Shelli Silver, Counsel Julia Smith and Director Tracy A. Massel.

Luehr received his J.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law and his B.A. from Harvard University, magna cum laude.

About Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, is a leading professional services firm, providing integrated legal and consulting services to a global client base. With offices strategically located in California (Los Angeles, Orange County, San Francisco, Sacramento and Silicon Valley), New York (New York City and Albany), Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Boston, the Firm represents sophisticated clients—including Fortune 500, middle-market and emerging companies—across a range of industry sectors such as health care; financial services; entertainment; digital and technology; and energy, environmental and real estate. For more information, visit www.manatt.com.