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Aravind Swaminathan

Partner

西雅图

Boston

Aravind Swaminathan helps clients navigate a new world of regulatory risk, from cybersecurity incidents to online Trust & Safety to defending executives in high-stakes litigation and enforcement actions. In all of his work, he draws on his roots as a federal cybercrime prosecutor and a high school technology teacher.

A leading cybersecurity and online safety authority, Aravind is recognized by Chambers USA in Privacy and Data Security in both Litigation and Incident Response. Clients describe him as “a very talented lawyer experienced with incident responses” and “incredibly responsive and technically savvy.”

Aravind’s deep knowledge of his clients’ business objectives and technological capabilities distinguishes him as a strategic advisor and frontline crisis responder. He advises some of the world’s leading online platforms, public and private financial institutions, tech companies, higher education institutions, and critical infrastructure providers on cybersecurity, and their obligations to monitor and remove harmful or illegal content online and root out instances of child exploitation.

He is adept at guiding companies through cybersecurity incidents, having directed more than 500 data breach investigations, including enterprise-wide network intrusions to cyberattacks with national security implications. Aravind defends clients in an array of cybersecurity and privacy class actions and regulatory enforcement actions brought by the SEC, FTC, NY DFS and State AGs, and also represents individual C-level executives in criminal and civil regulatory enforcement matters.

As a former assistant United States attorney, he investigated and prosecuted a broad array of cybercrime, child exploitation cases, digital crimes, and white-collar crime cases. This first-hand knowledge of federal agencies allows him to navigate the system, partner with investigators and find creative solutions for clients.

Aravind is a member of Orrick’s Board of Directors, and he devotes much of his free time to advising independent schools on AI, online safety, and cybersecurity, and teaching and coaching.

  • Cybersecurity and Privacy Matters

    • Represented technology company in security breach affecting approximately 100 million records
    • Represented travel and transportation company in network intrusion, connected with recent acquisition
    • Represented travel and leisure company in attack on customer database affecting records of individuals in China, EU, and US
    • Represented computer hardware manufacturer in security breach affecting credit card information, and ensuing state and federal investigations
    • Represented information security professionals in litigation and investigations in connection with large data breaches
    • Represented major contracting company in national security-related cybersecurity breach that compromised of industrial control systems
    • Represented enterprise software and information solutions company in breach of credit card and login/password information
    • Represented IT management software company compromised by botnet that leveraged managed endpoints to mine for digital currency
    • Represented digital currency security company in phishing attack directed at senior management that resulted in extortionate hacker threats
    • Represented major city in connection with compromise of personal information of utility customers and citizens
    • Represented industrial supply company in compromise of usernames and passwords for business to business customers
    • Directed cybersecurity assessments and planned remediation efforts for technology, financial services, and other companies
    • Advised networking infrastructure company in developing technical global privacy compliance strategy
    • Counseled companies in cybersecurity incident response planning, and facilitated tabletop exercises
    • Advised boards of directors on corporate governance responsibilities relating to cybersecurity and data privacy

    Privacy/Cybersecurity/Consumer Protection Litigation

    • Represented national retailer in class action litigation arising out of security incident
    • Representing cybersecurity threat intelligence company in federal court litigation alleging privacy and CFAA allegations
    • Represented public agency in consumer protection claims regarding unlawful billing practices in connection with utility services
    • Represented major retailers in class action litigation alleging deceptive trade practices in connection with gift cards
    • Represented company in data breach class action litigation affecting tens of thousands of employees' Social Security number and tax information
    • Represented two former Chief Information Security Officers in consumer class action, derivative, and securities litigation following mega-breaches that each affected tens of millions of records
    • Represented numerous technology and fintech companies in class action litigation brought under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act
    • Represented information solutions company against claims asserted under the Electronic Communications Privacy Act
    • Represented payment processor litigation with acquiring bank and ISO in connection with processing of credit card transactions
    • Represented application and software company in spyware and consumer protection investigation by Washington State Attorney General

    White-Collar and Investigation Matters

    • Represented former Chief Information Security Officer in connection with SEC and DOJ investigations following largest data breach in history
    • Represented one of the nation's largest independent automobile dealerships in federal money laundering and tax investigation resulting in favorable non-prosecution agreement for individual company owners
    • Represented individual in government procurement and false statements investigation and prosecution
    • Represented healthcare provider in negligent homicide investigation
    • Represented large healthcare provider and leading pharmaceutical company in separate false claims investigation by Washington State Attorney General
    • Represented pharmacy chain in DEA diversion investigation
    • Represented Japanese individuals in Department of Justice and Securities and Exchange Commission investigation arising out of cross-border healthcare receivables investment company
    • Represented environmental technology solutions company in federal criminal grant fraud investigation, resulting in no charges brought
    • Led internal investigation at public technology company of allegations of Wiretap and Washington State Recording Act violations

    Other

    • Served as General Counsel to Washington State Governor Jay Inslee's task force on drone legislation
    • Served as member of City of Seattle's Privacy Advisory Committee