Against background of increased data privacy, IP infringement and other risks for online businesses, Venable strengthens its e-commerce, Internet and cybersecurity law practice
WASHINGTON, DC (March 28, 2012) – Venable significantly bolsters its Internet business, cybersecurity and data security practices with the addition of Bobby N. Turnage, Jr., former senior vice president and general counsel of online services provider, Network Solutions LLC, who joined the firm as a partner in its Washington, DC and Tysons Corner, VA offices.
Mr. Turnage will advise companies doing business on the web who deal daily with critical e-commerce issues such as third-party content liability, protection of intellectual property, online advertising activities, domain name disputes, and data security and privacy. His more than 12 years of experience as an in-house attorney in the high-tech industry, and as general counsel for Network Solutions, gives him a unique perspective to provide practical, business-focused, legal advice on matters faced by businesses in their daily operations.
Mr. Turnage’s prior legal experience also includes work as a litigation associate in private practice, as well as a defense attorney and prosecutor in the U.S. Army Reserve JAG Corps.
“Bobby’s experience as both a business lawyer and a corporate insider, who has handled all aspects of technology transactions, data security and online commerce, will be of great benefit to our clients,” said Stuart Ingis, who heads Venable’s DC office. “My colleague, Milo Cividanes, and I worked with Bobby while he was with Network Solutions, and also on a project at ICANN. We’ve seen first-hand the breadth of his understanding of issues facing online businesses and the way he takes the lead on matters like corporate governance, litigation, IP, employment and contractual issues; synthesizes the most important points; and comes up with clear ‘here’s how’ solutions.”
Mr. Cividanes, who co-leads the firm’s privacy and security practice, and whose clients range from Fortune 100 companies to start-ups, said, “Mastering the business principles and legal guidelines of the still-evolving e-commerce marketplace takes real skill, made even more notable when you can impart advice to clients that is both cost-effective and minimizes the considerable risks that come with running a business online. Bobby is a great addition to the firm as Venable grows its practice areas that touch on Internet law.”
Venable’s Privacy and Data Security practice received a coveted Chambers Award of Excellence in 2009 and Messrs. Cividanes and Ingis were both ranked among the top attorneys in their practice areas by the 2011 Chambers Global, the worldwide directory of lawyers and law firms.
Mr. Turnage said, “Having worked on projects with Stu and Milo, I knew Venable and was impressed by its commitment to serving businesses that operate online. There are so many legal and regulatory angles to e-commerce and web-based operations; so many ways to court liability and exposure, and Venable is committed to helping business navigate this minefield. I’m excited to be here and to leverage my legal and business background in a manner that I know companies are eager to find and make use of.”
Mr. Turnage received his J.D. from the University of Mississippi School of Law and a B.S. in Business from Virginia Commonwealth University.
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Note: An American Lawyer Global 100 law firm, Venable serves corporate, institutional, governmental, nonprofit and individual clients throughout the U.S. and around the world. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with offices in California, Maryland, New York and Virginia, Venable LLP lawyers and legislative advisors serve the needs of our domestic and global clients in all areas of corporate and business law, complex litigation, intellectual property, regulatory and government affairs.