McDonald Hopkins welcomes attorney Cheryl Saniuk-Heinig to its Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Practice
McDonald Hopkins is proud to welcome Cheryl Saniuk-Heinig as an Associate attorney in the Litigation Department and the nationally recognized Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Practice Group. Her practice centers on incident response and cyber preparedness, and she brings a strong combination of privacy, cybersecurity, and litigation experience.
She said McDonald Hopkins became her destination firm as she considered her long-term career goals and sought a place known for great work, strong mentorship, and respected industry leadership.
“In speaking with McDonald Hopkins attorneys, it was clear the firm combines meaningful work with a professional culture that supports doing that work well. The firm’s growth, the caliber of its attorneys, and its reputation in the industry all stood out to me,” Cheryl said.
Cheryl counsels clients on pre-breach risk management and guides them through ransomware attacks, business e-mail compromises, and inadvertent disclosures in addition to advising on data privacy and cybersecurity compliance.
“I love data privacy because it offers broad exposure across industries and complex legal challenges while remaining fundamentally about people. The issues are personal and consequential, making it especially rewarding to help clients respond responsibly to risk, meet their obligations, and maintain trust when the stakes are high,” she said.
Prior to joining McDonald Hopkins, Cheryl advised organizations on privacy and cybersecurity compliance initiatives, including Privacy Impact Assessments, risk assessments, cross-border data considerations, and policy development, translating complex regulatory requirements into practical, business-oriented solutions.
Cheryl previously served on the Research and Insights Team at the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), where she authored practitioner-focused guidance on global privacy, cybersecurity, and AI regulations and helped develop compliance resources addressing incident notification, cross-border data transfers, and enforcement trends.
The IAPP accredits her as a Certified Information Privacy Professional for the United States (CIPP/US), Europe (CIPP/E), and as a Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM). Since her gubernatorial appointment in 2022, she has served on a legislative advisory committee addressing the status, issues, and needs of Maine’s Freedom of Access laws.
Jim Giszczak, co-president of McDonald Hopkins and co-chair of the Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Practice, said Cheryl is a great fit for the team.
“We’ve worked hard to build a team that values excellence, collaboration, and practical problem-solving. Cheryl is a natural fit. Her clear, client-minded approach aligns seamlessly with the culture and reputation we’ve established,” he said.
