Akin Continues Expansion of Cybersecurity, Privacy & Data Protection Practice with Addition of Maida Oringher Lerner and Rita Heimes

Washington, D.C. – Akin today announced the continued expansion of its market-leading cybersecurity, privacy & data protection practice with the addition of Maida Oringher Lerner and Rita Heimes as senior counsel. Their arrival follows closely on the heels of Evan Wolff, who recently joined the firm as co-head of the practice. All three attorneys come to Akin from Crowell & Moring, where Wolff co-chaired the firm’s Privacy and Cybersecurity Group.

“These strategic additions significantly enhance our ability to help clients navigate the complex intersection of regulation, technology, and risk,” said Tom McCarthy, head of Akin’s regulatory practice. “Rita and Maida bring exceptional depth and versatility to our team. Along with the arrival of Evan, they further solidify Akin’s position as a go-to firm for addressing today’s most pressing data and emerging tech challenges.”

Rita Heimes previously served as General Counsel and Chief Privacy Officer at the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), where she led global legal strategy, risk management and international operations. A recognized authority on global privacy laws, cyber security risk mitigation and artificial intelligence (AI) governance, Heimes advises clients across industry sectors on U.S. and international privacy, cybersecurity and AI regulations. As a professor at the University of Maine School of Law, she launched one of the nation’s first intellectual property (IP) law clinics as well as its top-ranked information privacy certificate program and summer institute.

Maida Oringher Lerner advises clients across sectors including defense, energy, manufacturing, transportation, government contracts and health care on cybersecurity compliance, incident response and critical infrastructure protection. As former in-house counsel at a major utility company, she understands the private sector and brings deep experience in building resilient cybersecurity programs aligned with evolving regulatory frameworks. Her counsel on complex regulatory matters and risk mitigation strategies drives additional synergies with the firm’s premier national security, international trade and government contracts practices.

About Akin’s Cybersecurity, Privacy and Data Protection Practice

Akin’s cybersecurity, privacy and data protection practice understands the unique needs of businesses and has extensive experience helping clients navigate the myriad government regulations pertaining to data privacy and security. The team stands ready to advise on existing and emerging data privacy regulations and statutes, lead breach investigations, execute on statutory breach notification requirements, engage with law enforcement where appropriate and serve as litigation and/or regulatory enforcement counsel.

About Akin’s Regulatory Group

Akin’s regulatory practice offers wide-ranging experience for clients operating in heavily regulated industries, such as, among others, health care & life sciences, energy & infrastructure and technology. Our practice is distinctive, in terms of the number of regulatory lawyers and the scope of practice areas in which we advise clients, including antitrust, communications, cybersecurity, financial services, environmental, government procurement, health care, international trade, privacy and transportation issues.

Akin is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.