Overview
Spencer is a Member of the national Data Privacy and Cybersecurity team at McDonald Hopkins. He specializes in incident response and privacy consulting and has a proven track record of success. He has handled hundreds of cyber incidents and data breaches, providing strategic guidance to clients and helping them navigate complex matters while strengthening privacy practices to mitigate any future risks. Spencer is a recognized leader in the data privacy and cybersecurity legal community and a frequent speaker and guest on numerous television and radio shows, and podcasts, and hosts the “Cyber Law Revolution” podcast.
Organizations that have a well-practiced response plan and professional team in place can save an average of $2.66 million when faced with a cyberattack. However, with the lack of uniform standards for data security, cybersecurity, and privacy laws—both nationally and internationally—navigating these complex landscapes requires expert guidance to minimize financial, legal, and reputational risks. Spencer provides his clients proactive guidance and helps them prepare for data breaches by writing and implementing policies to comply with state, federal, and international data security and cybersecurity laws. He also provides training to C-Suite leaders and employees on data security and cybersecurity and performs vendor vetting and due diligence as required by law. His practice includes helping clients respond to data breaches, cyber-attacks, ransomware incidents and business email compromise situations, including coordinating vendors to assist in remediation, identifying applicable cyber-laws and notification requirements, law enforcement liaising, messaging and public communications surrounding the incident, and responding to regulators.
Spencer earned his J.D. from the University of Baltimore School of Law. He completed his B.A. at the Sewanee: University of the South.
Honors & Recognition
Maryland Super Lawyers – Business Litigation (2020 – present)
FeedSpot "Top 10 Breach Podcasts" (2025)
Credentials
Education
University of Baltimore School of Law
Sewanee: University of the South
Admissions – Court
- U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
Admissions – State
- Maryland
- District of Columbia
Professional & Civic
Professional Activities
Maryland State Bar Association
Maryland State Bar Association Cybersecurity Task Force
International Association of Privacy Professionals
Accreditation
Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States (CIPP/US)
Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM)
Certified Mediator
News & Insights
External News & Publications
WJZ CBS News Baltimore, Baltimore City Schools Data Breach (April 2025)
Events
Speaking Engagements
Panelist, "What your CEO wishes you knew about cyber law and insurance" GSPEC St. Louis May 2025
Panelist, “Cybersecurity, breach prevention, and proactive measures” AttackIQ February 2025
Panelist, “Cyber Insurance” GuidePoint February 2025
Panelist, "Preparing for, Responding to, and Mitigating the Consequences and Effects of a Data Breach," Louisiana Municipal Association (Jan. 2025)
Speaker "Basics of Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Incident Response Counseling" CeriFi (Sept. 2024)
Panelist, Atlanta AFP, August 2024
Panelist, AmTrust Cybersecurity Conference, July 2024
Panelist, Idaho Big I, July 2024
Speaker, SAAS Alerts, June 2024
Speaker, Privacy Law Updates, June 2024
Panelist, GAM Conference, April 2024 - Cyber Security: Are you Cyber-Ready?
Speaker, Mid-Atlantic Association of Financial Professionals, April 2024 - Cyber & Privacy Headaches
Speaker, March 2024 - Don't get caught with your breaches around your ankles: A lesson in liability mitigation
Panelist, November 2022 Blackpoint Cyber
Panelist, September 2022 Grant Wood AEA
Host of the “Cyber Law Revolution” podcast
TV Commenter, March 2022 WJZ CBS Baltimore
TV Commenter, April 2021 WJZ CBS Baltimore
TV Commenter, December 2020 WJZ CBS Baltimore
TV Commenter, November 2020 WJZ CBS Baltimore
TV Commentator, March 2020 WBAL News Now With Bryan Nehman
TV Commentator, March 2020 WJZ CBS Baltimore
TV Commentator, January 2020 Fox 45 Morning Show
Radio Commentator, January 2020 Stevie Bridgewater’s Public Affairs Show
Radio Commentator, October 2019 The Brett Hollander Podcast
Panelist, May 2022 San Diego CPCU Chapter
Panelist, April 2022 Lockton Seminar
Panelist, March 2022 Charlotte CPCU Chapter
Panelist, February 2022 Right of Boom Conference
Panelists, November 2021 National Association of Financial Professionals
Panelists, November 2021 Mid-Atlantic Association for Financial Professionals
Speaker, November 2021 the Cyber Nation Call
Panelists, October 2021 Rhode Island CPCU
Panelists, July 2021 California Surplus Insurance Association
Speaker, May 2021 Cybersecurity Legal Compliance for Design Professionals
Panelist, May 2021 Central Illinois CPCU Chapter
Panelist, April 2021 Association of Financial Professional, Atlanta Chapter
Panelist, April 2021 Bermuda CPCU Chapter
Panelist, March 2021 Mortgage Bankers Association of Metropolitan Washington
Speaker, March 2021 Philadelphia CPCU Chapter
Speaker, March 2021 The Successful Nonprofits Show
Speaker, November 2020 Sell Like a CPCU
Panelist, September 2020 Mid-Atlantic Association for Financial Professionals
Speaker, August 2020 Half-Moon Seminars
Speaker, May 2020 UnitedWay
Speaker, April 2020 Mortgage Bankers Association of Metropolitan Washington
Speaker, April 2020 Halfmoon Seminars
Panelist, February 2020 Niles, Barton & Wilmer, LLP
Speaker, January 2020 Treasurers’ Roundtable
Speaker, November 2019 Mid-Atlantic Association for Financial Professionals
Speaker, April 2019 Cyber Security Seminar
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