Christopher G. Cwalina

Education

  • University of Baltimore School of Law, 1997, J.D., cum laude
  • Gettysburg College, 1993, B.A., Political Science

Professional Admissions / Qualifications

  • Maryland
  • District of Columbia
  • Michigan

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court - District of Maryland
  • State Court of Appeals - District of Columbia
  • State Court of Appeals - Maryland
  • State Supreme Court - Michigan

Chris is a member of the Global Regulatory Enforcement (GRE) Group in the Washington, D.C., office. He has extensive experience in data privacy class action litigation and data privacy compliance. Chris has defended companies in a variety of privacy-related matters including security breach related litigation and flash cookie cases. He has advised corporations on regulatory issues and legislative affairs pertaining to data privacy and information security issues as well as provided counsel on compliance with GLBA, HIPAA, FCRA, COPPA, FCPA, and international privacy rules including the Data Protection Act. Chris also has experience developing in-house policies and procedures, compliance frameworks and training.

Chris devotes his practice primarily to: (i) litigation; (ii) defending companies in investigations initiated by state Attorneys General, the FTC, and other government agencies; (iii) responding to security breach incidents; (iv) establishing international compliance frameworks for companies; and (v) developing and writing company policies and procedures.

Prior to joining Reed Smith, Chris was Vice President and Associate General Counsel with Intersections Inc., an identity theft services and global background screening company.  Prior to that, Chris was employed with ChoicePoint Inc., where he led the Privacy, Compliance, Ethics and Credentialing Department in his role as Vice President & Assistant General Counsel.

Employment History

  • 2010 - Reed Smith
  • 2007 - Intersections Inc
    • Vice President
    • Associate General Counsel
  • 2005 - ChoicePoint Inc.
    • Vice President & Assistant General Counsel (September 2006 - September 2007
    • Senior Attorney (May 2005 - September 2006)
  • 2004 - Bayer Corporation
    • Counsel
  • 2002 - The Dow Chemical Company
    • Senior Attorney
  • 2000 - Spriggs & Hollingsworth
    • Associate
  • 1998 - Semmes, Bowen & Semmes
    • Associate
  • 1996 - Honorable Paul E. Alpert, Court of Special Appeals of Maryland
    • Intern(1996-1997)
  • 1995 - Honorable Joseph H.H. Kaplan, Chief Judge, Circuit Court for Baltimore City
    • Law Clerk (1995-1997)

Honors & Awards

Other Certifications

  • Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP)

Professional Affiliations

  • International Association of Privacy Professionals