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Archive for February, 2016

Data Privacy Team Writes Law360 Series on Cybersecurity Information-Sharing Act

Posted on: February 23rd, 2016

Houston commercial litigator Mark Thibodeaux, Deputy Practice Leader of Sutherland’s Cybersecurity and Privacy team, recently co-authored a two-part Law360 series examining the federal guidance and questions that remain about the full scope of the benefits from the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015.

The information-sharing system has been praised by many companies that recognize it “can be used to monitor or operate defensive measures and combat cyberthreats,” Thibodeaux and his colleagues write in Part I. “There are also benefits to providing information. Many companies are facing similar cyberthreats and in many cases are facing the same attackers.”

Among the points made in the article, headlined “Information Sharing Under CISA: What It Means For Companies,” is the observation that liability protection may be “one of the most important incentives for companies to consider … but may not be the shield that many think it is.”

Part II in the series, headlined “Information Sharing Under CISA: How DHS Guidance Helps,” examines the recent guidance provided by the Department of Homeland Security. The DHS identifies the government processes that encourage information sharing and the steps companies should take to benefit from CISA.

Ultimately, the authors conclude, CISA provides a framework for companies to consider whether information sharing is right for them.

Co-authors of the series with Mr. Thibodeaux are Washington Partner Daniel Frank, who advises clients on cybersecurity and regulatory matters, and Washington Associate Allison Speaker, who assists on cybersecurity matters and advises on energy regulatory matters.

 

Expansion of Sutherland’s Texas Energy Practice Makes Headlines

Posted on: February 10th, 2016

Sutherland Asbill & Brennan’s addition of more energy lawyers in Texas made news in several publications. The Houston Chronicle quoted Houston Partner in Charge Daniel Johnson, who described the firm’s new additions as part of an effort to represent clients facing the consequences of falling oil prices.

In an article headlined, “Sign of the times: Law firm adds energy bankruptcy partner in Houston,” the Chronicle also quoted Mr. Johnson as saying he expects to do more energy-related hiring.

The article pointed to Mark Sherrill, who moved from Sutherland’s Washington, D.C., office to Houston to focus on complex energy bankruptcy matters. The addition of John Zerwas Jr., the former policy adviser in the Texas governor’s Budget and Policy Division, to Sutherland’s Austin office also was noted, along with update that three other energy lawyers joined the firm in the state’s capital last year.

The Chronicle also reported that Daniel LeFort, a former in-house counsel for Shell and Exxon Mobil, had joined the Houston office as counsel.

Texas Lawbook also reported on Sutherland’s expansion in a story headlined, “Sutherland Expands Energy Capabilities in Texas” (subscription only). “Sutherland Asbill & Brennan is expanding its energy practice in response to turbulence in the oil and gas industry,” the online publication said.