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James Chou

Senior Associate

Washington, D.C.

James Chou helps companies protect their data, reputation and stakeholder trust across the full lifecycle of cybersecurity risk, from building resilient security programs to managing high-stakes incidents and the regulatory scrutiny that follows.

James draws on his previous experience at the Department of Defense to help clients build and assess risk-based information security programs and to guide clients through high-impact security incidents and related regulatory investigations. He regularly advises on the regulatory and legal implications regarding the development and design of information security, response, and contingency programs, including counseling on the implications of security assessments.

 A significant part of James’ practice focuses on security incident response, including response preparation, recovery readiness, and crisis management. He develops efficient and effective response strategies designed to protect a company’s reputation, retain stakeholder trust, and manage legal and business risk. He has advised companies across a range of industries, including technology, financial, semiconductor, defense, telecommunications, and healthcare.

James works with legal, security, communications and executive teams to design and assess information security, privacy and incident response programs, including counseling on the legal implications of security assessments and building practical compliance strategies. He also helps technology and fintech companies manage the legal and regulatory challenges of AI-driven tools, such as know-your-customer (KYC) and fraud detection solutions.

For cybersecurity, space, and defense technology companies, James advises on a range of U.S. Government compliance requirements, including Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) and National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM). Clients also turn to him for guidance on using applicable NIST standards to conduct and assess cybersecurity programs.

Prior to entering private practice, James spent nearly a decade as a Defense Analyst and Senior Operations Research Analyst for the U.S. Army, where he focused on cybersecurity, defense strategy and policy, and program analysis. He also spent more than three years in the defense industrial base as an IT Project Manager and Policy Analyst.

James is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), a Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP), and a Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer (CDPSE). He is conversational in Mandarin.