FTC Veteran Katherine White Joins Kelley Drye, Further Strengthening Firm’s Privacy and Information Security Practice
Kelley Drye & Warren LLP announced that Katherine White has joined the firm as partner in its Privacy and Advertising practice groups. Kate joins Kelley Drye after serving more than 14 years at the FTC where she held roles as an advisor to Commissioner Noah Phillips, as counsel to the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection (BCP), and as a senior attorney in the Division of Privacy and Identity Protection (DPIP).
Kate has deep experience in all aspects of consumer protection law, with a particular focus on privacy, information security, and financial services regulations. She helps clients comply with federal and state laws throughout the U.S. and handles investigations brought by the FTC and state attorneys general.
In her most recent role as advisor to Commissioner Phillips, she provided counsel on consumer protection investigations and litigation, rulemaking, and policy. During her time as a senior attorney in DPIP, Kate led investigations related to Section 5 of the FTC Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act Safeguards Rule.
“Kate’s extensive knowledge of privacy frameworks and her depth in fair credit and financial services privacy will benefit our clients who face challenging issues in this rapidly-evolving space,” said Alan Luberda, Washington, D.C. office managing partner. “The addition of a senior FTC attorney with insights into the nuances of the Commission will further strengthen Kelley Drye’s FTC practice and our ability to defend clients in all varieties of consumer protection matters.”
Kate’s addition is part of a strategic expansion of the firm’s privacy and data security practice and adds to the team of former FTC lawyers. This group includes Kelley Drye Advertising Law practice group chair Laura VanDruff, who served as Assistant Director in BCP’s DPIP, the firm’s managing partner, Dana Rosenfeld, who served as Assistant Director of BCP and attorney advisor to FTC Chairman Robert Pitofsky, Bill MacLeod, who served as Bureau Directors, and Aaron Burstein, who served as senior legal advisor to FTC Commissioner Julie Brill.
“Kelley Drye has a reputation for professionalism and an ability to help clients through hard privacy and consumer protection questions,” said Kate. “I am excited to join a team of smart lawyers who are counseling clients on cutting-edge issues in a challenging regulatory environment.”
“Privacy law and policy are changing significantly and at an expedited pace, which presents challenges for companies in understanding how to comply and manage risks related to their data practices,” said Alysa Hutnik, chair of Kelley Drye’s Privacy and Information Security practice. “Kate’s deep FTC experience will be incredibly beneficial for our clients, both for contested matters and for proactive compliance that supports competitive business practices while helping avoid regulatory scrutiny.”
Previously, Kate served two details to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation where she provided advice to Senators, staff, and stakeholders on a variety of consumer protection and privacy issues. Prior to joining the FTC, Kate spent four years as a privacy and information law attorney at the Transportation Security Administration, where she spent time covering a wide range of privacy matters, including considerations regarding the collection of sensitive passenger data.
Kate received her J.D. from The George Washington University Law School and her B.A. in English from the University of Virginia.
About Kelley Drye & Warren LLP
Founded in 1836, Kelley Drye & Warren LLP is home to skilled practitioners in the areas of litigation, trade, regulatory, government relations, real estate, corporate, and more. A powerhouse firm with the heart of a boutique, the firm’s attorneys provide legal counsel carefully connected to their client’s business strategies. Among the firm’s recent awards: Named to the BTI “Client Service A-Team”; recognized by CLOC for “Legal Innovation and Design Excellence in Legal Operations”; Chambers USA identified seven practice areas as “Leaders in Their Field”; Law360 named the Consumer Protection Practice Group as Group of the Year; and Kelley Drye was named one of “America’s Best Law Firms” by U.S. News & World Report Best Law Firms, with a “Tier 1” national ranking in Communications, Environmental Law, Environmental Litigation, Information Technology, and Real Estate.