Privacy and Data Security Attorney Hilary Lane Joins Ballard Spahr

Hilary Lane—an experienced privacy and data security adviser, media lawyer, and litigator—has joined Ballard Spahr’s Business and Transactions Department and Privacy and Data Security and Media and Entertainment Law groups as partner, firm Chair Peter V. Michaud announced today. She is resident in the firm’s New York office.

“Privacy and data security laws are proliferating across the country, creating a minefield of piecemeal regulation that even the most nimble clients have difficulty traversing. Hilary’s strong background in privacy and data security makes her a tailor-made addition to our Privacy and Data Security Group, and I know her counsel will be well-received by our clients,” Peter said. “On top of that, she’s a friend to some of our most prominent Media and Entertainment Law litigators, and they couldn’t be more pleased to now call her a colleague.”

Hilary counsels clients on privacy and data security requirements, including the ever-expanding patchwork of state consumer privacy laws; helps develop and implement privacy programs, processes, and procedures to meet those requirements efficiently; provides guidance on cybersecurity incident preparedness and response; and advises on privacy and security issues in commercial transactions. She also counsels on mitigating litigation risk arising out of website tracking technologies, and has successfully defended data privacy class actions and mass arbitrations alleging violations of the Video Privacy Protection Act, wiretapping statutes, and other laws based on the alleged use of these tracking tools.

In media and entertainment law, Hilary has advised leading entertainment companies, film and television studios, news agencies, and publishers on an array of issues critical to the success of their businesses.

Hilary joined Ballard Spahr from Holland & Knight, where she was a partner in the firm’s Tampa office. Previously, she served as Chief Privacy Officer for NBCUniversal.

At Ballard Spahr, Hilary is part of the firm’s cross-disciplinary Privacy and Data Security team. Across the country, more than two dozen lawyers advise clients on the development and implementation of programs and training protocols to identify and avoid risk, offer comprehensive guidance on compliance and information governance, help assess and manage vendors, advise on the many privacy and data security-related issues that can arise during transactions, and counsel clients on data breach response and resulting litigation and analysis. They share their insights on the Privacy and Data Security field on the firm’s CyberAdviser blog.

As a member of the nationally preeminent Media and Entertainment Law Group, Hilary is part of the foremost group of media attorneys in practice today. These lawyers have played a central role in some of the most significant media, entertainment, and First Amendment cases in recent years—for prominent news organizations, film and television companies, streaming services, public interest organizations, and content creators of all kinds.

“I’ve seen how Ballard is at the forefront of keeping clients apprised of developments in privacy and data security. Their forward-thinking approach helps them go beyond client expectations and deliver outstanding results. That’s exactly the kind of team I wanted to join,” Hilary said. “In addition, I get to join Media and Entertainment attorneys I’ve worked with throughout my career. I’m pleased to have this opportunity to be a part of the firm and these outstanding practice groups.”

For media inquiries, please contact Will Ashenmacher at 612.371.5792.