Fish & Richardson Principal Donna Balaguer Named "Cybersecurity & Data Privacy Trailblazer" by The National Law Journal

Washington, D.C., October 18, 2016 — Fish & Richardson today announced that Principal Donna Balaguer has been named a "Cybersecurity & Data Privacy Trailblazer" by The National Law Journal (NLJ). According to the NLJ, these trailblazers are "true innovators in the field of cybersecurity and law."

At Fish, Balaguer advises clients on the full range of privacy and data security laws and best practices, from the early stages of developing a privacy plan to handling a breach. She counsels clients across multiple industries, including hospitality, healthcare, media, communications, manufacturing and retail.

The NLJ highlighted Balaguer's work with clients involved in areas such as precise geolocation tracking of consumers and location-based marketing, and wearable and implantable technology. "My clients are very forward thinking about how to use technology to reach customers," Balaguer told the NLJ. "I've been working with them in novel areas with no laws or even established best practices. I help them navigate through the risks to find the opportunities."

Another one of Balaguer's unique areas of expertise is helping companies that are building new "Internet of Things" products — everyday objects that collect and transfer personal data about their users. "For companies working in this space, it is a continuing struggle to balance privacy and technology. The challenge is figuring out how to bring the benefits to consumers who want these devices but also want privacy," said Balaguer.

Balaguer is a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US) and is a member of the International Association of Privacy Professionals. She received her J.D., magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, from Georgetown University Law Center in 1994 and her B.A., summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa from George Washington University in 1991.