Nancy L. Perkins - Member of WLG's Privacy & Data Protection Group
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Nancy L. Perkins |
1. Briefly describe your practice.
My practice has become so exciting in the past decade, as data privacy and security have become important at so many new levels both for individuals and organizations. I counsel clients on a wide range of data protection issues at the U.S. federal and state levels, as well as cross-border data privacy and security matters and the laws of other jurisdictions, including the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). One particular focus of mine during the COVID-19 pandemic has been the privacy considerations associated with the use of contact-tracing mobile applications, which are being used across the globe in various different contexts and with a variety of types of tracing technologies. I also have been working with clients on many data privacy and security issues that have arisen from the need to conduct business electronically, to treat patients in a virtual setting (telemedicine), and to prevent or respond to breaches in security that have arisen due to increased reliance on digital communications.
2. What is one relationship you've made through World Law Group that has been important to your practice?
It was a wonderful experience and opportunity to connect with fellow practitioners across the globe when I was a panelist on "Privacy & Data Protection Issues for Employees” during the Fall eConference in October. We discussed how employment and privacy law in various countries has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, covering issues such as employer requirements for testing for the virus, employer use and disclosure of test results, regulation of return-to-work policies, as well as the use by employers of contact-tracing applications. I learned a great deal from my co-panelists and made connections that will be valuable both for me and I hope for them as we share knowledge and coordinate on projects in the future.
3. What are you most looking forward to in 2021 (aside from hopefully an end in sight to this pandemic)?
I am looking forward to more in-person interactions (both professionally and personally) and, in the United States where we just had historic elections both at the Presidential and Congressional levels, to a fresh start with our political, ethical and legal approach to domestic and international affairs. The past four years have been very difficult for many of us in the United States, even setting aside how our government responded to the pandemic and the consequences for the virus’s rapid spread throughout the country. So, I am perhaps most looking forward to our new leadership and what that can mean for repairing relations around the globe and repairing trust in our democracy and respect for human rights across races, religions, ethnicities and more.