Senior Cybersecurity Official from U.S. Department of Homeland Security Joins Paul Hastings to Help Clients Navigate Cyber, Investigations, and National Security Risks

April 19, 2017

Washington, D.C. – Paul Hastings LLP, a leading global law firm, announced today that Robert Silvers, formerly the Assistant Secretary for Cyber Policy at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has joined the firm as a partner in the White Collar Defense and Privacy and Cybersecurity practices, based in Washington, D.C. He will advise clients facing cybersecurity and privacy challenges, internal investigations, government security reviews of foreign investment, and other issues at the intersection of law and national security.

“Clients often tell us that privacy and data security risk—and the related investigations—are among their most pressing business and legal challenges,” explained Seth Zachary, chairman of Paul Hastings. “We’re making sure that we’re responding to our clients by adding top-tier talent in the areas where they need it most. It’s clear that continuing to enhance our market-leading Privacy and Cybersecurity and Investigations and White Collar Defense practices with notable hires like Rob will benefit our clients,” he added.

Silvers, who was the highest ranking cybersecurity policy official at DHS, is one of the United States’ premier national cybersecurity experts. He has been in the Situation Room for some of the most consequential national security decisions in recent years. At DHS, he worked with companies across industry sectors to harden their cyber defenses, share cyber threat information, and respond effectively in the face of serious cyber-attacks. Silvers served as the Obama administration’s lead on developing best practices for Internet of Things (IoT) security. He also led sensitive international initiatives, negotiating cybersecurity priorities between the U.S. and China, Israel, Japan, India, and EU countries.

Silvers previously served as the Deputy Chief of Staff at DHS, where he managed all policy, operations, and budget for 240,000 employees across 22 agencies. In this role, Silvers oversaw the Department’s law enforcement work, its security review of foreign investment under the CFIUS process, and an array of counterterrorism, immigration, travel facilitation, and cybersecurity programs.

At Paul Hastings, Silvers will help clients to proactively bolster their privacy and information security postures, and to manage incident response when breaches do occur. His expertise in IoT security will bring particular value as clients increasingly bring internet connectivity to their core product lines. Silvers will also draw on his government experience to represent clients in CFIUS proceedings, internal investigations, and civil litigation involving national and homeland security issues.

“I am looking forward to sharing the insight I gained during my time in the Obama administration with the impressive range of clients at Paul Hastings,” said Silvers. “I was drawn to Paul Hastings because of its industry-leading Cybersecurity and Privacy and White Collar Defense groups. Cyber concerns now permeate virtually every corner of litigation and corporate practice. Paul Hastings’ across-the-board strength is the right platform for my return from government service,” he added.

Silvers’ arrival at Paul Hastings follows that of Dina Ellis Rochkind, an experienced lobbyist and Capitol Hill veteran, who joined the firm as of counsel in the Fintech and Payments practice, in Washington, D.C.

At Paul Hastings, our purpose is clear — to help our clients and people navigate new paths to growth. With a strong presence throughout Asia, Europe, Latin America and the U.S., Paul Hastings is recognized as one of the world’s most innovative global law firms.