“We are overjoyed to welcome Wendell back to our team,” said LSHI co-chair Scot Hasselman. “His core area of focus aligns perfectly with the needs of our biotech, life sciences, and health care clients, who are at the forefront of using technology and data in creative and revolutionary ways to improve patient outcomes. His experience strengthens our team’s ability to holistically help our clients navigate complex compliance and commercial issues that arise from pushing the bounds of science and technology to enhance and personalize patient care.”
Bartnick, who will be a key member of Reed Smith’s digital health effort, has extensive experience guiding clients through continuously changing privacy and cybersecurity regimes in the U.S. He also advises clients in their use and commercialization of rapidly emerging technologies, including online platforms, software as a medical device, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things, and the metaverse. He regularly collaborates with colleagues in Europe and Asia to align clients’ compliance programs and tech agreement terms with the complex patchwork of international laws. His security incident response experience includes coaching clients through mitigation, remediation, and meeting legally required notice requirements; as well as responding to follow-up inquiries from regulators, including the Office for Civil Rights within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
“Privacy and the obligation to protect personal data do not end at the state or country border,” explained Bartnick. “Many of our clients are considering how their use and commercialization of technology and data globally is impacted by local laws, regulations, and culture, and Reed Smith is one of the few law firms with the ability to counsel clients in jurisdictions around the world, including critical markets in Europe and Asia. I believe that firms with international teams accustomed to regularly providing multi-jurisdictional advice are best positioned to offer practical solutions for clients on tech and data issues.”
Bartnick is a frequent commentator, writer and presenter on emerging data privacy and cyber security issues. He discusses responsible AI, opt-out requirements under emerging state privacy laws, information blocking and interoperability rules under the 21st Century Cures Act, ONC’s Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement and its impacts on health care information networks and organizations, and new and updated incident response laws and regulations.
“We’re very excited to have Wendell back in our office,” said Houston Office Managing Partner Chris Watt. “While Wendell focuses on health care, he also advises clients across all industries on tech and data matters that are critical for our clients in Texas and around the country. Wendell’s deep experience combined with his computer science education sets him apart from his peers in this constantly evolving and highly technical practice.”
Before rejoining Reed Smith, Bartnick was a tech and data partner with Holland & Knight since August 2022. Prior to that, he practiced law in Reed Smith’s Houston office, where he started as an associate in July 2017 and became a partner in January 2021.
Bartnick achieved his J.D., magna cum laude, from the George Mason University School of Law. He is also a Certified Information Privacy Professional with the International Association of Privacy Professionals in the U.S.