Susan L. Lyon

Susan Lyon, of counsel in the firm's Privacy & Security practice, provides practical advice to a broad range of multinational companies on privacy, data security, online safety and Internet laws. Her practice also includes regulatory compliance counseling, litigation, and legislative policy. Ms. Lyon's updates on privacy and data security law can be found at the firm’s Internet law blog, DigestibleLaw.com.

Prior to joining Perkins Coie, Ms. Lyon gained significant, practical experience as former in-house counsel representing recognized corporate leaders in the area of privacy. As privacy counsel for Microsoft Corporation, Ms. Lyon provided privacy and data security counsel to groups such as Xbox, Office, MSN, MSNBC and others on a wide range of U.S. and international issues. Ms. Lyon also represented Microsoft as U.S. legislative policy counsel in lobbying efforts relating to online safety and privacy and data security breach legislation. Additionally, as former lead privacy counsel for Dell Inc., Ms. Lyon helped the corporation achieve the honored recognition as one of the top ten Most Trusted Companies for Privacy two years in a row. While at Dell, Ms. Lyon provided counsel on a wide range of privacy and data security issues, including payment card industry data security rules and marketing privacy.

Ms. Lyon has been quoted extensively on privacy in leading publications including Inside Counsel and Inside 1to1 Privacy.

Representative Matters

• Advising energy clients on privacy matters and data and infrastructure security regulations and compliance.
• Representing advertising networks, web analytics companies and publishers on privacy issues relating to online and mobile advertising and behavioral targeting.
• Counseling clients and negotiating with credit card companies regarding Payment Card Industry (PCI) data security compliance obligations.
• Advising companies on response to data security breach incidents and creating and supporting proactive security incident response framework, process, and materials in preparation for potential incidents.
• Representing clients in outreach to lawmakers, industry peers and associations on legislative initiatives relating to privacy, security and children's online safety including, contributing to development of ALEC model spyware, phishing and data breach notification legislation, and developing strategies to advance policy objectives.
• Counseling international companies on global strategy for complying with privacy in the area of marketing and sales including, CAN-SPAM and other state and national spam and electronic communication laws, marketing database development and preference management; telemarketing regulations, affiliate marketing, joint marketing and viral marketing issues.
• Negotiating TRUSTe seal program agreements and assessment requirements.
• Counseling major online gaming companies on children's privacy issues.
• Developing comprehensive EU employee privacy program for major international corporation in compliance with Safe Harbor, EU Data Directive and country-specific rules, including creating policies, notices, guidelines and award-winning training materials.
• Representing Fortune 500 companies in complex, large-scale law suits, including defending major pharmaceutical company as national counsel in federal multi-district class action litigation.

Professional Recognition

• Microsoft Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Contribution Excellence Award
• Dell GM/Circle of Excellence Award
• Dell Legal Excellence Award

Professional Leadership

• International Association of Privacy Professionals - Educational Advisory Board Member
• American Bar Association, E-Privacy Law Committee, Privacy and Computer Crime Committee, Opportunities for Minorities and Women Committee
• American Electronics Association
• US Internet Service Providers Association
• Business Software Alliance
• State Bar of Texas, Computer Technology Law Section, Corporate Counsel Section

Related Employment

• Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA, Privacy Attorney, 2005 - 2008
• Dell Inc., Round Rock, TX, Privacy Counsel, 2004 - 2005
• Fulbright & Jaworski LLP, Austin, TX, Senior Associate, 2000 - 2004
• Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, Menlo Park, CA, Summer Associate, 1997; Associate, 1998 - 2000
• Texas State Attorney General's Office, Austin, TX, Law Clerk, Spring 1997
• University of Texas Business School, Austin, TX, Research Assistant, 1996