Antitrust Law Daily Wrap Up, INDUSTRY NEWS: Privacy litigator David Almeida joins Sheppard Mullin, (Aug 13, 2013)

David S. Almeida has joined Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP as a partner in its Business Trial and Privacy and Data Security practices, the law firm has announced. Almeida will work out of the firm’s Chicago office.

Almeida comes to the firm from Sedgwick LLP, where he was co-chair of that firm’s Privacy and Data Protection Group. Almeida has focused his practice on consumer protection law, including the defense of claims of consumer fraud and unfair and deceptive business practices, in particular those associated with online and offline privacy issues, direct marketing, mobile and electronic commerce platforms, loyalty programs, and various promotions practices. He has represented Fortune 500 companies in cases brought pursuant to a variety of federal and state consumer protection statutes, including the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA), the Electronic Funds Transfer Act (EFTA), and the CAN-SPAM Act, among other laws. He frequently litigates cases challenging companies’ privacy and direct marketing activities.

In addition to his litigation practice, Almeida counsels clients on compliance with various laws and regulations governing direct marketing, social media, mobile (location-based) marketing, electronic and mobile commerce, promotions, daily deal offerings, gift cards, and loyalty programs. He assists clients in navigating FTC and state trade regulation issues, including those under the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), the CAN-SPAM Act, the FTC’s Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR), and the "do not call" registries. He also helps design companies’ consumer-facing disclosures, including privacy policies, terms of use and service, and other policies, and their global privacy compliance strategies.

"David is a top-notch litigator, whose data privacy background and expertise is an excellent fit with us,” said Guy N. Halgren, chairman of Sheppard Mullin. “We continue to grow core practice groups like Business Trial and expand our litigation capabilities to better serve clients."

“We are very pleased and excited to have David join us in Chicago,” added Lawrence C. Eppley, managing partner of Sheppard Mullin’s Chicago office. “He is a great addition to our growing Chicago office, and we look forward to working with him and his clients.”

“David is a prominent authority on a variety of issues that concern privacy, direct and mobile marketing, emerging payment systems, and social and digital media,” stated Craig Cardon, co-chair of Sheppard Mullin’s Privacy and Data Security practice. “He adds significant depth and breadth to our growing privacy practice and we are thrilled to welcome him to the group.”

Almeida received his J.D. from Cornell Law School in 1999 and a B.A. from Salisbury University in 1995. He is a frequent speaker and writer on privacy, direct and mobile marketing, emerging payment systems, and social and digital media issues.

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP is an international law firm with over 600 attorneys, located in offices in Century City, Chicago, Del Mar, Los Angeles, New York, Orange County, Palo Alto, San Diego, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Beijing, Brussels, London, Seoul, and Shanghai.

News: IndustryNewsTrends