Kathleen A. McGee

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With close to two decades of experience as a prosecutor and leading regulator, including as Bureau Chief of the New York Attorney General’s Bureau of Internet and Technology, Kathleen is a highly accomplished attorney with a unique and valuable skill set. Kathleen regularly leverages her extensive experience in the public sector by representing clients before federal, state, and local law enforcement and regulators on issues ranging from white collar criminal defense matters and criminal and civil investigations before the DOJ, SEC, FTC, and state attorneys general, to commercial disputes and advisory matters involving technology, data commodification, cybersecurity and privacy, consumer protection issues, tech M&A, data governance, and corporate governance. Clients benefit from both her sophisticated grasp of technology-related criminal matters and her on-the-ground experience as a lead prosecutor in both jury and bench trials. 

Kathleen’s practice includes representing established global businesses, scale-ups, and startups (including fintechs, investment groups, and governments) in multiple sectors, including ad tech, financial services, insurance tech, biotech, IoT, and retail. Her experience encompasses data, M&A, technology procurement, privacy, data breaches and cybersecurity, consumer protection, and product launches. Kathleen’s practice covers all aspects of technology, data, privacy, and intellectual property, with a focus on emerging technologies, data services, and cybersecurity. With the advent of the CARES Act, Kathleen has established herself as a go-to resource for PPP loan applicants navigating the process.

An author of several state and local bills and laws, including New York State’s SHIELD Act on data security, Kathleen brings a strong sense of regulatory policy and advises clients on the legal landscape affecting their business models. She is a regular speaker, author, and interviewee for events and publications ranging from government investigations to data security and privacy and tech regulation.

Kathleen’s unique public sector experience gives her an edge in counseling emerging and mature companies on a broad spectrum of regulatory issues concerning technology, data security, and privacy. In addition, Kathleen’s experience in municipal government and her understanding of how the administrative code affects business have given her a unique perspective on the intersection of commerce and the law. Clients appreciate her insights into how to identify unanticipated problems and develop creative, business-focused solutions.

As Bureau Chief of the Bureau of Internet & Technology for the New York State Attorney General’s Office, Kathleen was at the forefront of regulation, enforcement initiatives, and public policy involving privacy, data security, and consumer protection, among other issues. She led the NYAG’s successful litigation against illegal daily fantasy sports operations (New York v. Draft Kings, Fan Duel), as well as investigations of New York State’s internet service providers and successful litigation against the state’s largest internet service provider (New York v. Charter Communications). 

Earlier in her career, she served as Director of the Office of Special Enforcement in the New York City Mayor’s Office where, as lead counsel, she directed litigation on a number of intellectual property and civil nuisance matters, including the Counterfeit Triangle litigation encompassing an entire city block in Chinatown. She was also a policy leader on issues ranging from data analytics to human trafficking. While with the mayor’s office, Kathleen also developed the New Business Acceleration Team to streamline regulations and fast-track new business development. Kathleen started her legal career as an Assistant District Attorney for the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office in New York, where she prosecuted domestic violence, child abuse, and sex crimes.