Phyllis Sumner
About Phyllis Sumner
Phyllis Sumner is a Partner and Chief Privacy Officer at King & Spalding, where she leads the Data, Privacy & Security Practice. She has extensive experience in complex litigation and cybersecurity, having served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and providing strategic guidance to corporate boards on data breach prevention.
Work at King & Spalding
Phyllis Sumner has been a Partner and Chief Privacy Officer at King & Spalding since 2007. She leads the Data, Privacy & Security Practice, providing legal counsel on complex issues related to data privacy and cybersecurity. Her role involves representing clients in litigation and advising corporate boards and senior executives on data breach prevention and emergency response strategies. Sumner's extensive experience in crisis management and cybersecurity incident response is integral to her practice.
Education and Expertise
Phyllis Sumner earned her Doctor of Law (JD) from Vanderbilt University Law School. She also studied at The University of Georgia. Her educational background supports her expertise in data privacy and security law, as well as complex litigation involving statutes such as the False Claims Act, RICO, and the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Background
Phyllis Sumner served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Northern District of Georgia, where she prosecuted complex criminal matters, including public corruption and domestic terrorism. Prior to that, she worked as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Northern District of Illinois from 1999 to 2002. Her experience in directing grand jury investigations and litigating evidentiary hearings contributes to her legal acumen.
Achievements
In 2020, Phyllis Sumner was named to the 'Incident Response 30' by Cybersecurity Docket, recognizing her contributions to the field of cybersecurity law. She was also acknowledged in the field of Cyber Law by Legal 500 in 2020. These recognitions highlight her influence and expertise in data privacy and cybersecurity incident response.