Seminar  Seminar

Defending Privacy and Behavioral Advertising Class Action Suits 2013: What Every Litigator and In-House Lawyer Needs to Know


Why you should attend

Over the past two years there has been an explosion of new lawsuits filed focused on the alleged disclosure of identifying information in connection with the use of  social networks, social gaming, mobile phones, apps, and other mobile and web-based technologies and in connection with behavioral advertising and the use of pixels, beacons, cookies and other persistent identifiers.  Like patent troll suits and stock drop cases, being sued for perceived data privacy violations increasingly is starting to look like a cost of doing business in the digital economy.

While some cases have settled on lucrative terms, a number have been dismissed or dropped because plaintiffs cannot show damage or injury.

Many of the suits appear to be focused on trial by publicity, rather than relief in court.

Join this expert faculty to learn what you need to know now about this burgeoning are of federal litigation, including what to do to avoid litigation.

What you will learn

  • The types of technology, advertising and business practices that have been targeted for litigation
  • Best practices to minimize potential privacy violations and avoid being sued
  • The types of claims raised in litigation and how to defend against them
  • The use of traditional media and blogs and social media as part of the litigation strategy
  • When to settle and when to fight cases
  • The terms of recent settlements
  • Analysis of this new burgeoning area of law, including the large number of court opinions issued in 2011 and 2012, as well as an assessment of emerging trends

Who should attend

  • In-house counsel at cloud computing, Internet, technology, advertising, mobile, and social networking companies
  • Litigators and transactional lawyers who defend or advise clients on data privacy and advertising law
  • Chief Privacy Officers and others responsible for data privacy compliance
  • Privacy lawyers who want to understand important litigation trends and strategies
  • Anyone who wants to stay one step ahead of the crowd

Morning Session:  9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

9:00  Program Overview

Ian C. Ballon

9:15  Understanding the Science and Technology of Behavioral Advertising

This will be an advanced tutorial on the mechanics of Internet advertising, the players, technologies and on how information is collected and used online.  Attendees will be shown what web beacons, cookies, flash cookies and referrer headers look like and the functions they perform, as well as newer technologies and marketing models.

Chris Jay Hoofnagle, Jennifer Valentino-DeVries

10:15  Plaintiffs’ Perspective on Data Privacy Class Action Suits

A detailed analysis of cases filed to date and the type of practices that cause plaintiffs’ counsel to file suit.  This panel will discuss cases, strategies and the mechanics of consolidating cases before the MDL panel and selecting lead counsel.

Jay Edelson, Chandler Givens, Robert J. Herrington

11:00  Networking Break

11:15  Defendants’ Perspective on Data Privacy Class Action Suits - Part I

A thorough analysis of case law and strategy from defense and in-house perspectives, including an exhaustive analysis of the latest case law on standing and privacy claims under the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, the Video Privacy Protection Act and related state law claims; and on how companies are and should be responding to claims.

Ian C. Ballon

11:45  Defendants’ Perspective on Data Privacy Class Action Suits - Part II: In-House Counsel Panel

Ian C. Ballon, Moderator; Christine M. Dekker, Sandeep Solanki

12:30  Lunch Break

Afternoon Session:  1:45 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

1:45  Class Certification and Settlement

An analysis of whether the claims asserted are amenable to class treatment; different approaches in federal and state court; settlement options; and the terms of key settlements.

Robert J. Herrington

2:45  Best Practices in a Changing Data Privacy Landscape: Strategies to Minimize the Risk of Privacy Class Action Litigation

In addition to the courts, the regulatory landscape is changing dramatically. State, federal and foreign legislation and regulation governing the use of information about browsing practices and preferences, anonymized and de-anonymized data and Internet advertising practices is expanding. In this dynamic environment, what constitutes “best practices” is a moving target. This panel will discuss and provide live demonstrations of new, innovative and creative ways for companies to comply with privacy obligations and reduce their exposure to litigation.

Jim Brock, Tricia Cross, Michelle Finneran Dennedy, Eulonda G. Skyles

3:45  Networking Break

4:00  Judicial Perspective

The explosion of privacy class action cases over the past two years has largely been focused on courts in California and New York.  Given that data privacy is a relatively new and evolving area of law, this segment will afford participants the opportunity to understand how a judge views data privacy cases and how litigants can better position their cases.

Hon. James Ware (Ret.)

5:00  Adjourn

Chairperson(s)
Ian C. Ballon ~ Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Speaker(s)
Jim Brock ~ Founder, PrivacyChoice
Tricia Cross ~ Senior Counsel – Privacy, Fox Entertainment Group
Christine M. Dekker ~ Senior Counsel - Litigation Practice Group, McDonald's Corporation
Michelle Finneran Dennedy ~ Vice President & Chief Privacy Officer, McAfee, Inc.; Founder, The iDennedy Project
Jay Edelson ~ Edelson McGuire, LLC
Chandler Givens ~ Edelson McGuire, LLC
Robert J. Herrington ~ Greenberg Traurig LLP
Christopher J. Hoofnagle ~ Lecturer in Residence, UC Berkeley Law
Eulonda G. Skyles ~ SafeNet, Inc.
Sandeep Solanki ~ Litigation Counsel, Facebook Inc.
Jennifer Valentino-Devries ~ Reporter, The Wall Street Journal
Hon. James Ware ~ Chief Judge (Ret.), JAMS
Program Attorney(s)
John M. Mola ~ Director of California Operations, Practising Law Institute

San Francisco Seminar Location

PLI California Center, 685 Market Street, San Francisco, California 94105. (415) 498-2800.

San Francisco Hotel Accommodations

The Palace Hotel, 2 New Montgomery Street, San Francisco, California 94105. Call (800) 917-7456 seven days a week from 6:00 am to 12:00 am (PDT) and mention you are attending this program at Practising Law Institute to receive the preferred rate. For online reservations, go to www.sfpalace.com/pli to receive the preferred rate.

Due to high demand we recommend reserving hotel rooms as early as possible.

PLI's live programs are approved in all states that require mandatory continuing legal education for attorneys, except Arizona. Please be sure to check with your state for details.


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Special Note: In New York, newly admitted attorneys may receive CLE credit only for attendance at "transitional" programs during their first two years of admission to the Bar. Non-traditional course formats such as on-demand web programs or recorded items, are not acceptable for CLE credit. Experienced attorneys may choose to attend and receive CLE credit for either a transitional course or for one geared to experienced attorneys.  All product types, including on-demand web programs and recorded items, are approved for experienced attorneys.

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Credit will be granted only to the individual on record as the purchaser unless alternative arrangements (prearranged groupcast) are made in advance.

Item# 42149
Location:  San Francisco, CA
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Seminar attendance includes course handbook and associated course materials. A downloadable course handbook will also be available several days prior to the program start for your review.