Overview
Insights
News
Education and Credentials
Recognition and Community
Overview
William J. Roberts is a nationally-recognized data privacy and cybersecurity advisor to businesses, nonprofit organizations, government entities, and families worldwide. He is a Partner at the firm, co-chair of the firm's data privacy and cybersecurity practice, and an Adjunct Professor of data privacy law at the University of Connecticut School of Law.
William is the recipient of numerous accolades and recognition. He is ranked in Chambers USA* (Chambers and Partners), which quotes clients who recommend him "for his expertise in privacy and data security." Chambers USA* also notes that he is "sought out for his handling of data breach investigations" and "GDPR and HIPAA compliance." He has been recognized as a Fellow of Information Privacy with the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) and was honored with a "Thought Leadership (US) Award" at the WealthTech Americas Awards for his work on cybersecurity issues for family offices. Among other honors, he is the recipient of both the Distinguished Leaders Award and the James W. Cooper Fellowship from the Connecticut Bar Association.
William's practice is dedicated to assisting clients in navigating complex data privacy and cybersecurity laws and requirements in a practical and thoughtful manner and representing clients in the face of a data breach or government investigation. As part of a team of data privacy and cybersecurity professionals, he aims to facilitate his client's growth and success.
Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Compliance
As a Certified Information Privacy Professional, William advises a wide variety of organizations on data privacy and cybersecurity compliance, including insurers, family offices, educational institutions, financial firms, technology companies, and manufacturers. He works with these organizations on the development of data privacy compliance programs, the handling of confidential business and employee data, the launch of new products and services, and in collaborations with third parties.
He has particular experience with advising organizations on health care privacy (e.g. HIPAA), employee privacy, educational privacy (e.g. FERPA), biometric privacy, and children's privacy (e.g. COPPA). He also has extensive experience assisting national and international clients on compliance with constantly-evolving consumer data privacy laws, including state laws (e.g. California Consumer Privacy Act, the Connecticut Data Privacy Act), requirements of the Federal Trade Commission, and the European Union's Global Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Data Breaches and Government Investigations
William advises clients on the development of plans and protocols to prevent, detect, and respond to data breaches, including insider threats, ransomware events, and the misuse of sensitive. He also consults with clients on data breach training, mock exercises, and vendor management. When breaches do occur, William guides clients through the entire life cycle of the incident from discovery to remediation. He advises clients on data breach assessment, mitigation, and notification to individuals and government entities. He provides representation during investigations before or in connection with state and federal governmental and law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Federal Trade Commission, and state attorneys general.
Technology Privacy and Security
William has extensive experience advising clients on the data privacy and security implications of new technology products and services. He works with organizations on the launch of health information exchanges, 'Internet of Things' (IoT) devices, mobile apps, medical devices, software products, biometric devices, and more. He works with these clients on the development of data privacy policies and procedures, privacy by design processes, risk management, data handling practices, and customer and vendor contracting.
No aspect of these advertisements has been approved by the highest court of any state. See Awards Methodology.
Insights
Co-author, November 26, 2024, Day Pitney Alert
Author, July 25, 2024, Family Wealth Report
Speaker, June 4, 2024, Family Office Cybersecurity and AI Summit, New York, NY
Co-author, May 10, 2024, Day Pitney Alert
Presenter, April 25, 2024, Webinar hosted by Day Pitney
News
Quoted, October 24, 2024, Connecticut Law Tribune
Featured, June 6, 2024, Day Pitney Press Release
Featured, February 27, 2024, Day Pitney Press Release
Mentioned, February 3, 2024, Day Pitney Press Release
Co-author, November 28, 2023, New Jersey Law Journal
Education and Credentials
Education
University of Wisconsin Law School, J.D.,
cum laude, 2008
Colby College, B.A., magna cum laude, 2002
Admissions
State of Connecticut
Affiliations
International Association of Privacy Professionals, 2018-Present
Health Care Compliance Association, 2015-Present
Hartford InsurTech
American Bar Association, Business Law Section, Cyberspace Committee, 2014-Present
American Bar Association, Health Law Section, Data Breach Notification Working Group, 2013
Connecticut Bar Association, 2008-Present
American Bar Association, Business Law Section Fellow, 2014-2015
Connecticut Bar Foundation, James W. Cooper Fellow
International Association of Privacy Professionals, Fellow of Information Privacy (FIP), 2019
Recognition and Community
Recognition
No aspect of these advertisements has been approved by the highest court of any state. See Awards Methodology.
Selected to the list of Connecticut Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters), Business & Corporate, 2024
Recipient of WealthBriefing WealthTech Americas's Thought Leadership (US) Award by ClearView Financial Media, 2023
Recipient of the Distinguished Leaders Award by the Connecticut Legal Awards, Connecticut Law Tribune, 2022
Chosen for inclusion in the Chambers USA Legal Directory (Chambers & Partners), of recognized practitioners for Healthcare in Connecticut, 2020-2024
Awarded certification as an Information Privacy Manager (CIPM) by the International Association of Privacy Professionals, 2019
Awarded certification as an Information Privacy Professional/US (CIPP/US) by the International Association of Privacy Professionals, 2018
Selected to the list 40 Under Forty, Hartford Business Journal, 2018
Selected to the list of Connecticut Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters), Rising Star, Health Care, 2008-2017
Chosen for inclusion in the Pro Bono Honor Roll, Connecticut Bar Association, 2011-2014
Selected to the Pro Bono Partnership Volunteer Honor Roll, 2014
Selected to the New Leader of the Law, Connecticut Law Tribune, 2013