Joseph W. Swanson is of counsel in the Securities Litigation section of the firm’s National Trial Practice Group. Mr. Swanson's practice focuses on defending companies, executives, and directors in shareholder litigation, as well as in other high-stakes commercial litigation. In addition, Mr. Swanson uses his experience as a former federal prosecutor to represent companies and individuals in government and criminal investigations and to conduct internal investigations. Such investigations include matters involving U.S. Attorney's Offices around the country and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Before joining the firm, Mr. Swanson served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney (“AUSA”) in the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida in Tampa. In that capacity, Mr. Swanson investigated and prosecuted a broad range of offenses, including white-collar crimes, such as obstruction of justice, tax fraud, mortgage fraud, money laundering, and computer/privacy crimes. During his three years as an AUSA, Mr. Swanson tried several cases to verdict. Mr. Swanson also served as the Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property (“CHIP”) Coordinator in Tampa, where he advised other prosecutors on investigative techniques involving internet and e-mail providers, computers, websites, and other electronic evidence.
Mr. Swanson draws on this experience as a CHIP to advise clients on issues related to cybersecurity, including preparing for and responding to data breaches. Specifically, in private practice and as a federal prosecutor, Mr. Swanson has investigated suspected data breaches and similar cyber incidents. A focus of Mr. Swanson’s practice has been to advise on best practices for interacting with law enforcement, regulators, and other constituencies in the event of a cyber incident. In addition, Mr. Swanson is a member of The Sedona Conference Working Group on Data Security and Privacy Liability.
Mr. Swanson is the data privacy and cybersecurity task force co-leader.
