Joseph McNelis III, CIPP/US

As incident response counsel, Joe brings swift and decisive direction to businesses when faced with cyberattacks that threaten their operations. He guides clients through the incident response process and provides counsel on post-breach notice obligations to individuals and regulators. He is also skilled at crafting communications strategies for customers, employees, company boards, and other stakeholders. Joe has defended organizations against data breach class actions in federal and state courts throughout the country and in litigation arising out of email compromise, wire transfer fraud, and unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information. He has also assisted numerous organizations in responding to state and federal regulatory investigations stemming from data privacy incidents. Joe regularly drafts and reviews privacy policies, helping clients to implement procedures necessary to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal laws and industry best practices. He also conducts tabletop exercises to stress-test client’s response plans and other relevant policies.

In addition to data privacy and cybersecurity, Joe counsels small businesses on labor and employment issues and defends employers against wage-and-hour claims in court and before regulatory agencies. In this role, he leverages his experience working as an employment attorney for a national AmLaw 100 firm and serves as a trusted advisor to companies seeking to keep pace with the ever-changing employment law landscape

Joe earned his J.D. from Temple University Beasley School of Law, where he graduated cum laude and served as the Notes & Comments Editor of the Temple Journal of Science, Technology & Environmental Law. He was also a Mock Trial Coach for St. Joseph’s Preparatory School and a member of the Temple American Inn of Court. Joe earned his B.A. from Fordham University.