Latham & Watkins is pleased to announce that James Lloyd will join the London office as a partner in the Litigation & Trial Department and member of the Complex Commercial Litigation Practice. Lloyd’s practice focuses on advising domestic and international companies on a variety of complex, cross-border cyber security and data privacy matters, including cyberattacks, crisis response, data breaches, regulatory enforcement, and follow-on class actions.

“James is an exceptional practitioner with an outstanding track record advising companies and boards on business-critical data privacy and cyber security matters, and we are thrilled to welcome him to the team” said Stephen Kensell, Office Managing Partner of Latham & Watkins in London. “His expertise complements our growing litigation and data privacy capabilities in London and Europe. With years of direct experience on the frontlines, he is just the sort of partner you want on the team when faced with enterprise-threatening situations.”

Lloyd has particular expertise in data privacy litigation and regularly advises clients on high-stakes enforcement investigations by both international and domestic regulators, including the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office. He also has significant experience conducting internal investigations as well as counselling clients on broader advisory and compliance matters related to data privacy and cyber security incidents.

“We have seen a significant increase in the number of regulatory investigations and related litigation in the areas of privacy and security in recent years, and we expect this to continue in light of increased governmental scrutiny, evolving data privacy regulations, and the increased prevalence of class actions in Europe,” added Gail Crawford, Global Chair of Latham’s Data & Technology Transactions Practice. “James is a highly skilled, experienced, and commercially-minded practitioner, and he will add tremendous specialist knowledge to our leading global practice.”

“James’s arrival represents another exciting step forward in the development of our London disputes practice,” added Ian Felstead, Global Vice Chair of Latham’s Complex Commercial Litigation Practice. “He brings vast experience counselling major companies and financial institutions on complex investigations and litigation matters, and his arrival further broadens and deepens our contentious data privacy and cyber security capabilities in London and globally.”

Lloyd joins Latham & Watkins from Orrick.