Overview
Blair brings extensive experience in data privacy consulting and responding to data security incidents to McDonald Hopkins' Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Practice Group. She also has more than 20 years of insurance coverage consulting and claims knowledge, including serving as General Counsel and Senior Vice President of Insurance Management for one of the largest international insurance brokers in the world.
Blair's practice includes extensive experience responding to data security incidents while ensuring her clients remain compliant with state, federal and international requirements, as well as managing operational and reputational impact. Blair’s experience includes representing private companies and public entities whose operations have been affected by ransomware attacks or impacted by a business email compromise. She works with clients and third-parties, including forensic investigators, law enforcement and ransomware negotiators to identify and contain the incident, minimize disruption to business operations, deliver effective public communications, minimize exposure to possible litigation and regulatory investigations, and avoid further attacks. Blair also develops cyber incident response policies and protocols and provides other pre-breach and compliance services to place her clients in the best position possible from a business, regulatory and incident response standpoint.
She provides coverage advice and monitoring of litigation and pre-litigation domestic and international general, professional liability and cyber claims on complex insurance programs from inception through resolution. She also assists clients in risk management and marketing themselves for coverage, including renewals, evaluating insurance quotes and more. Blair also consults carriers, coverholders and brokers on policy language and insurance products.
She is a distinguished member of the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) Fellowship of Information Privacy (FIP). She is certified by IAPP as a Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States (CIPP/US), Certified Information Privacy Professional/Europe (CIPP/E) and Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM). She is also currently pursuing her Master of Science of Cybersecurity.
Blair is an Advisory Board Member for The Cyber Helpline, a Mentor for the Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) Mentorship Program and an Adjunct Professor in the Chicago-Kent College of Law J.D. Certificate in Privacy Law starting Spring 2024.
Credentials
Education
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Chicago-Kent College of Law
Marquette University
Admissions – Court
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- Illinois State Court
Admissions – State
- Illinois
Professional & Civic
Professional Activities
The Cyber Helpline, Advisory Board Member
Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) Mentorship Mentor
International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP)
Professional Liability Underwriting Society (PLUS)
Golden Key International Honour Society
Community Involvement
Wrightwood Neighbors Association, Member & Volunteer
Crooked Lake Improvement Committee, Board Member (2017-2021)
Izaak Walton League of America, Volunteer Water Chloride Monitoring (2020-2021)
EPA Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program, Volunteer Lake Quality Monitor (2017-2021)
East Shore Homeowners Association, President (2020-2021)
CLOA Improvement Committee, Community Volunteer (2017-2019)
Beach Improvement Committee for Crooked Lake, Committee Member (2017-2019)
Travelers Assistance Project – O’Hare Airport, Volunteer Attorney (2017)
Chicago Parks Foundation – Team ChiParks for Chicago Marathon, Marathoner & Fundraiser for Charity (2016)
Windy City Agility Club, Secretary (2011)
Paulina Condominium Association, Secretary (2004-2005)
Society of Women in Law, Volunteer Opportunities Coordinator (2000-2001) and President (2001-2002)
Accreditation
Fellowship of Information Privacy (FIP)
Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States (CIPP/US)
Certified Information Privacy Professional/Europe (CIPP/E)
Certified Informaiton Privacy Manager (CIPM)
News & Insights
Events
Speaking Engagements
WiCyS Leadership Team, Guest Speaker, "Cybersecurity Panel Discussion"
The Knowledge Group, Presenter, "Effective Data Breach Prevention and Response: Practical Tips and Strategies"
Oswald Companies, Guest Speaker, "Event + Response = Outcome: how you should respond when your network is compromised"
The Keypoint, Guest Interview, "Steps Every Organization Should Take if it Suspects a Cyberattack"
Level Up Podcast, Guest, “Level Up your Cybersecurity Legal Power"
TigerPaw Radio, Featured Guest, “Attacked! Cyber Law Primer for MSPs and IT Providers.”
Level Up, Guest Speaker, "Level Up Your Cyber Security"
T100 Power Hour, Guest Speaker, “Cybersecurity and Reportable Incidents”
CompTIA ChannelCon Chicago 2022, Panelist, “I’ve Been Compromised! Now What?”
CompTIA ChannelCon Chicago 2022, Panelist, “Genius Café”