Patrick Bernhardt advises companies on a broad range of US and international privacy, consumer protection and data security laws. He works with clients at every stage to achieve their business goals while implementing practical solutions to manage the risks associated with the collection, use and disclosure of information.
He regularly counsels clients on issues arising under Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Act, as well as federal, state and international laws, and self-regulatory codes. Mr. Bernhardt represents clients in privacy and data security investigations by the FTC and other federal and state regulators.
He has defended retailers, software companies, advertising technology companies, mobile app developers, transportation, and healthcare companies against regulatory investigations into privacy and data security practices, and has assisted them in responding to security breaches.
Mr. Bernhardt drafts and advises on privacy policies and contractual provisions related to the collection, use and disclosure of information. He counsels clients on the privacy impacts and risks in M&A transactions, strategic partnerships and commercial deals. He also has experience conducting privacy risk assessments to evaluate privacy policies and practices across an organization and in multiple jurisdictions.
Mr. Bernhardt also assists with general litigation, regulatory and consumer protection matters, and has provided pro bono services to non-profit organizations seeking advice on privacy and data security issues. He is qualified as a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP-US) by the International Association of Privacy Professionals.
Prior to joining WilmerHale, Mr. Bernhardt worked in a leading privacy and data security practice of another major law firm in Washington DC. Mr. Bernhardt also previously served as a judicial intern to the Honorable Emmet G. Sullivan of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, and as an assistant analyst in the Congressional Budget Office.
Mr. Bernhardt is a frequent contributor to WilmerHale’s Privacy and Cybersecurity Law Blog, which addresses cybersecurity, privacy and communications developments around the world. Mr. Bernhardt is a vice chair for the ABA Section of Antitrust Law Big Data Task Force.
EDUCATION :
- JD, University of Virginia School of Law, 2013
- BA, French and Economics, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, 2007
ADMISSIONS : District of Columbia, Maryland
Cost
Rate : $$$