Kate Paine

Kate Paine has focuses her practice on defending and counseling multinational companies in matters of privacy, data security and product liability. As a core member of the firm’s Privacy and Data Security Practice, Kate has counseled a variety of technology companies, product manufacturers and service providers on their rights and obligations under a multitude of federal and state privacy laws.

Her representative experience includes evaluating a product manufacturer’s data-sharing policies, performing a comprehensive analysis of video surveillance laws, and advising a company on the legal landscape regarding disclosure of electronic communications.

Kate also was recently appointed to the firm’s International Privacy Task Force and is in the process of becoming a Certified Information Privacy Professional in European Law (CIPP/E), with a focus on GDPR and international privacy law compliance. An experienced legal writer, Kate is also a member of Shook’s Legal Issues Group drafting team and regularly contributes to the firm’s “Early Alerts” Privacy and Data Security monthly newsletter.

Clients appreciate Kate’s attention to detail, creative problem-solving and commitment to excellence. Kate previously clerked for The Honorable John E. Steele in the Fort Myers division of the Middle District of Florida, one of the most active federal districts in the country. Kate managed a large portion of the court’s civil docket.

In addition to helping Judge Steele draft orders resolving disputed motions, Kate performed in-depth legal research into complex issues–sometimes matters of first impression–ranging from Spokeo standing, to the enforceability of arbitration agreements, to alleged violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act, to the pleading standard for affirmative defenses, to patent infringement.

Before her clerkship, she worked as a commercial litigation associate for a large law firm in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In that role, she handled a wide variety of commercial litigation matters, including cases involving fraudulent transfers, unfair competition, trade secrets, product label warnings, product recalls, breach of contract and insurance disputes.

Kate is fluent in Spanish, having completed a legal internship with the Center for Human Rights and the Environment (CEDHA) in Cordoba, Argentina. She also worked as an English teacher at the IES Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer Secondary School in Seville, Spain, before starting law school.

She is also proficient in French, and earned a B2-level Diploma in French Language Studies from the French Ministry of Education in June 2018. Kate puts her language skills and commitment to public service to use as a member of the Department of State’s Hague Convention Attorney Network, which provides pro bono and low-cost legal representation in international parental child abduction cases.

Education:

• J.D., William & Mary Law School, 2011
  • William and Mary Journal of Women and the Law, Senior Notes Editor
  • National Moot Court Team
  • Intern, Center for Human Rights and the Environment (Corporate Accountability and Human Rights Program – Cordoba, Argentina)
• B.A., with highest honors, Lehigh University, 2007 (History; minors in Business and Spanish)
  • Co-Recipient, Harmon Prize for Best Academic Performance by a History Major
  • Member, Division I Swim Team

Bar Admissions:

• Florida
• Pennsylvania
• U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
• U.S. District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania

Community Involvement:

• Pittsburgh Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
  • Events Committee, Former Chair
  • Board of Directors, Former Member
• Pennsylvania Transgender Name Change Project
  • Former pro bono Attorney

Clerkships:

• Term Law Clerk for The Honorable John E. Steele, Senior District Court Judge, Middle District of Florida