We have a well-regarded reputation that has allowed us to deal effectively with government enforcers as well as judges.
Bartko attorneys have decades of experience in defending clients, both in the private and public sectors, in high-stakes privacy litigation, and enforcement matters. We have been lead trial counsel and undertaken appellate proceedings defending against privacy class actions stemming from alleged data breaches as well as alleged sharing of data due to the use of online technologies. Our clients in these cases have included healthcare systems, public and private hospitals, financial institutions, technology companies, operators of online portals, and Department of Defense contractors. Bartko’s work has resulted in leading published and cited opinions, including two groundbreaking opinions on the California Confidentiality of Medical Information Act and others that resulted in the dismissal of class actions without liability or any settlement payments. This has allowed clients to continue delivering critical services and preserving their resources instead of having to continue addressing class actions seeking damages ranging from millions to billions of dollars.

In addition to being able to efficiently handle matters in which multiple class action complaints are filed, including concurrent proceedings in federal and state courts, Bartko has extensive experience in gathering evidence in a manner that preserves the confidentiality required under federal and California law. Further, our attorneys have the ability to efficiently distill the facts, data and circumstances leading to the development of creative strategies to defend the actions, including against the latest waves of litigation asserting cookies and pixels constitute illegal wiretaps or pen registers.

Bartko’s attorneys have also successfully handled investigations by federal and state regulatory agencies, including the Federal Department of Justice Office of Civil Rights, the California Office of the Attorney General, the California Department of Public Heath and various California state licensing agencies. We are adept at addressing regulatory investigations while concurrently defending against civil litigation. We have a well-regarded reputation that has allowed us to effectively address government enforcers as well as judges.

We have also assisted clients in their initial responses to data breaches, including addressing on-going ransomware attacks, hacking by foreign state actors, physical theft by former employees or third parties, and errors by current employees. Clients regularly seek our input on the content of mandatory notices to potentially affected individuals and reports to regulators.

Attorneys Practicing in Data Privacy & Cybersecurity

Michael D. Abraham
Partner
Robert H. Bunzel
Partner
Kerry L. Duffy
Partner
Oliver Q. Dunlap
Partner
Natalie A. Felsen
Associate
Sean R. McTigue
Partner
Patrick M. Ryan
Co-Managing Partner
Steve Vieux
Senior Counsel