Jones Day has added Alexander H. Southwell as a partner in its global Cybersecurity, Privacy & Data Protection Practice in New York, expanding the firm’s capabilities across cybersecurity litigation, privacy, artificial intelligence, digital assets and regulatory investigations.
Southwell brings more than 30 years of experience advising major companies on cybersecurity incidents, privacy matters, data innovation and AI issues, along with white-collar defense, SEC matters and internal investigations.
His recent work has included major data-breach litigation, investigations arising from a high-profile data-misuse matter involving a social networking platform, a cryptocurrency hacking case involving more than $80 million in bitcoin and the resolution of a significant business-email-compromise fraud.
Southwell previously served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of New York, where he investigated and prosecuted cybercrime, securities fraud and other white-collar matters.
He now advises clients ranging from emerging companies to global enterprises on cybersecurity incidents, data breaches, regulatory investigations and crisis management.
Southwell also represents companies in privacy and data-security class actions and investigations involving agencies including the Federal Trade Commission, SEC, New York Department of Financial Services and state attorneys general.
His addition comes as companies increasingly face overlapping legal issues involving cybersecurity, privacy, artificial intelligence and digital assets.
For example, a major security incident can potentially trigger regulatory investigations, securities-related issues, class-action litigation and cross-border privacy requirements simultaneously.
Jones Day’s cybersecurity practice advises companies on those issues as well as compliance, governance, transactions, incident preparedness and response. Its clients span technology, healthcare, financial services, retail, communications, manufacturing, infrastructure and transportation.
Southwell earned his law degree magna cum laude from New York University School of Law and his undergraduate degree magna cum laude from Princeton University. He previously clerked for U.S. District Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald in the Southern District of New York.
KEY QUOTES:
“Alex is one of the most accomplished cybersecurity and privacy litigators in the country, and his rare combination of trial experience, regulatory defense capabilities, and deep understanding of emerging technologies—from artificial intelligence to digital assets—makes him an extraordinary addition to our Practice and to the Firm.”
Mary Alexander Myers, Leader of Jones Day’s Cybersecurity, Privacy & Data Protection Practice
“The cybersecurity, privacy, and technology challenges clients face—whether a major data breach requiring immediate crisis management, a multi-front regulatory investigation by the FTC and state attorneys general, or the development of governance and compliance programs for artificial intelligence, digital assets, and other tech innovations—do not respect practice-area or geographic boundaries.”
Alexander H. Southwell, Partner at Jones Day
