Linklaters launches data solutions, cyber and privacy practice in New York

Linklaters launches data solutions, cyber and privacy practice in New York

The duo of Erez Liebermann and Andrew Pak has the requisite experience and expertise to handle complex cases

Linklaters has announced that it is wading into the complex fields of data solution, cyber and privacy practice in New York following the hiring services of a duo from Prudential Financials.

Prudential's chief counsel for cybersecurity and privacy Erez Liebermann along with Andrew Pak has joined the Magic Circle farm's New York office.

Liebermann joins the firm as a partner along with Pak, who joins as counsel.

While Liebermann was associated with Prudential Financials for over seven years, Pak worked at the firm for nearly three years.

Liebermann ha in the past worked for almost a decade as a federal prosecutor at the US Department of Justice (DOJ). He led a team at DOJ that prosecuted some of the country's most high-profile cyberattacks, including credit card data breaches, national security breaches and insider logic bombs – a piece of malicious code that is inserted into a software system.

"Erez and Andrew are both highly regarded cyber and data practitioners with exceptional credentials. Data has no respect for national boundaries; it moves easily across the globe. It's crucial for clients that their counsel can advise on data issues with the same global perspective. The addition of Erez and Andrew adds top drawer US capability to our market-leading practices in Asia and Europe," Richard Cumbley, Linklaters' global head of technology, media, telecoms and IP, said.

Liebermann had served as deputy chief of the criminal division at the US Attorneys Office for the District of New Jersey, overseeing white-collar crime, as well as serving as chief of its computer hacking and IP unit. He also had earlier stints in private practice at US IP boutique Lerner David Littenberg Krumholz & Mentlik and Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison.

Pak, on the other hand, spent almost three years at Prudential Financial working alongside Liebermann as corporate counsel for cybersecurity and privacy.

Pak had also previously worked at the DOJ as a senior counsel in the computer crime and IP section and an assistant US Attorney in the District of New Jersey. He previously had stints in private practice at Friedman Kaplan Seiler & Adelmann and Debevoise & Plimpton.

Thomas McGrath, Linklaters' US global practice head, termed Cybersecurity and data privacy as an area that was witnessing a massive expansion in legislative and enforcement activity.

"With technology integration and data exploitation making transactions more complex, our clients will benefit from Erez and Andrew's technical skills, deep market understanding and wide networks. Their experience will complement our market-leading global data practice and will be a fantastic new asset for our domestic and international clients," McGrath said.