Natasha G. Kohne

Partner

Areas of Focus

Natasha G. Kohne

Partner

nkohne@akingump.com

Areas of Focus

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Biography
  • Represents global entities in complex U.S. and cross-border investigations, litigation, arbitration, crisis management and foreign investment.
  • Advises international clients on business strategies at the nexus of foreign investment, national security and technology.
  • Global co-leader of firm’s technology, artificial intelligence & machine learning and cybersecurity, privacy & data protection practices.

Natasha is a recognized leader in complex, U.S. and cross-border investigations and litigation involving financial institutions, sovereign entities, investment funds and technology companies.

With over two decades of experience, Natasha has become a trusted advisor to boards of directors and sovereign entities. She navigates complex dynamics involving foreign investment, national security, crisis management, and corporate governance. Natasha advises global entities at the intersection of national security and foreign investment, particularly in areas that intersect with technological advancement such as AI, cybersecurity, and data protection.

Natasha is the global co-leader of Akin’s cross-disciplinary technology and artificial intelligence & machine learning groups, as well as the firm’s cybersecurity, privacy & data protection practice, which was ranked in Band 1 by Chambers Global 2023.

Natasha’s practice is at the forefront of emerging technologies, advising global companies on complex issues involving artificial intelligence, biometrics, autonomous vehicles, the metaverse, digital assets and cryptocurrency, among others.  

The Daily Journal has recognized Natasha as one of California’s top cyber/artificial intelligence lawyers every year since 2018 and she was named a Woman Worth Watching by Diversity Journal in 2019. Natasha has also been recommended by The Legal 500 US in cyber law since 2017. She is a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US, International Association of Privacy Professionals).

Natasha has also served as an international arbitrator and has extensive experience in government and regulatory investigations and in complex commercial disputes before an array of courts and international tribunals in the Middle East, Europe and North America.

Representative Work
  • Advised a global company on an array of legal considerations involving the metaverse and Web3 technologies, including artificial intelligence, biometrics, false advertising, cybersecurity, digital assets, blockchain and data privacy.
  • Advised a technology company involved in a first-of-its-kind cybersecurity intrusion and insider trading SEC and DOJ investigation and criminal trial.
  • Represented boards of directors and international companies in U.S. and cross-border investigations and litigations involving technology, cybersecurity and national security matters.
  • Advised sovereign entities in relation to foreign investment and financial regulatory, cybersecurity, emerging technologies and other risk mitigation matters.
  • Assisted with comprehensive mergers & acquisitions (M&A) compliance, due diligence and risk assessments relating to litigation, emerging technology, data protection and cybersecurity in the United States and internationally.
  • Advised various clients in the aftermath of data and security intrusions, including conducting internal investigations, providing strategic litigation advice, coordinating state, federal and global regulators, and managing supply chain issues.
  • Developed and assessed global compliance programs involving data privacy and cybersecurity, including the CCPA, GDPR, BIPA and EU AI Act.
  • Represented global companies in international arbitration across the LCIA, ICC, ICDR, DIAC and AAA and other arbitral institutions in a range of industries.

"She is extremely knowledgeable on all issues relating to privacy law and she is extremely commercially minded."
Chambers USA, 2022

Education
  • J.D., Harvard Law School, cum laude, 2000

  • B.A., Columbia University, summa cum laude, 1996

Bar Admissions
  • California

  • New York

Recognitions
  • Chambers Global, Privacy & Data Security, 2024.
  • Euromoney, Expert Guide: Women in Business Law 2022, Privacy and Data Protection.
  • Chambers USA, leading practitioner in Privacy & Data Security–USA–Nationwide, 2023; described as “extremely knowledgeable on all issues relating to privacy law and she is extremely commercially minded.”
  • Global Data Review, Women in Data, 2022.
  • Cybersecurity Docket, Incident Response, 2020-2023.
  • Daily Journal, Top Cyber/Artificial Intelligence Lawyers, 2018-2022.
  • Profiles in Diversity Journal, Women Worth Watching, 2019.
  • The Recorder, California Trailblazers, 2019.
  • Euromoney’s Expert Guides, Women in Business Law, Privacy and Data Protection, 2022.
  • Chambers Global, Corporate Investigations—UAE, 2016, Corporate M&A—UAE, 2014.
  • The Legal 500 US, Cyber Law, 2017-2023.
  • The Legal 500 Europe, Middle East and Africa, Commercial, Corporate and M&A—UAE, 2014 and 2017-2020 and Dispute resolution: compliance and investigations, 2020-2022.
  • Daily Journal, Top Women Lawyers, California, 2017.
Affiliations and Public Service
  • Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States (CIPP/US), International Association of Privacy Professionals
  • Supportive in U.S.-UAE Business Council efforts, including speaking and supporting seminars regarding U.S.-UAE business relations
Speeches and Publications
  • Panelist, New Challenges for Private Fund Managers, Akin AI Summit, February 2024.
  • Panelist, “The Latest Update in Privacy,” Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) National Capital Region and ACC San Francisco Bay Area, March 2, 2023.
  • Panelist, “Cyber Security and Global Privacy Trends 2021,” Corporate Counsel Women of Color 17th Annual Career Strategies Conference, September 22, 2021
  • Panelist, “SEC Examinations: Perspectives from CCOs Who Went Through Exams During the Past Year – The Best 45 Minutes You Can Spend Preparing For Your Own Exam,” Akin Investment Funds Symposium, April 30, 2019.
  • Panelist, “World Recognition of Distinguished General Counsel Honoring Anne Robinson & Vanguard Group’s Office of the General Counsel,” The Directors Roundtable, Philadelphia, November 8, 2018.
  • Moderator, “Cyber Security/Social Media and Online Legal Issues,” Legends of the Boardroom, Baltimore, September 14, 2017.
  • Panelist, “Recent SEC Regulatory Focus-a discussion on fiduciary duty, expenses, co-investments and cybersecurity,” Akin’s Private Fund Industry Update on Changes in the Regulatory and Political Landscape,” San Francisco, June 29, 2016.
  • Speaker, “The Role of General Counsel in Cybersecurity,” The Oath’s GC Talk Series on Cybersecurity and the GC, Abu Dhabi, May 23, 2016.

Insights and Achievements

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        February 22, 2024

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