Washington, DC (March 2, 2012) – Venable attorneys served as counsel to the Digital Advertising Alliance, a coalition made up of representatives from leading advertising groups such as the American Association of Advertising Agencies (4A's), the Association of National Advertisers (ANA), the American Advertising Federation (AAF), the Direct Marketing Association (DMA), the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) and the Network Advertising Initiative (NAI).
In response to calls by the FTC to develop self-regulatory codes of conduct, the firm’s privacy team helped facilitate cooperation among the various interests to achieve enhanced, transparent and effective self-regulation for the collection and use of online information. This initiative created effective self-regulation of leading Internet, Advertising, and Media companies for Internet advertising and privacy.
The Venable team’s work was highlighted during the February 23rd White House meeting on consumer internet privacy. Partner Stu Ingis spoke at the White House event along with Gene Sperling, Chief Economic Advisor to the President; John Bryson, The United States Secretary of Commerce; and Jon Leibowitz, Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission.
Reflecting on the cooperation between government and major internet advertisers, Stu Ingis said, “This process has proven that government and private interests can work together effectively when they approach critical issues in a constructive, goal-oriented manner. We will continue to work with all parties toward workable solutions that encourage this vital part of America’s internet-based economy while acknowledging the need to protect consumers.” In reporting on that cooperation, The Washington Post noted it in its February 23rd headline, “Voluntary guidelines for Web privacy backed by Obama administration.”
Venable’s Privacy and Data Security group is considered the nation’s preeminent practice. It received the Chambers USA Award of Excellence, signaling it out among its peers as the top privacy practice in the country. Venable lawyers Stu Ingis and Milo Cividanes are regularly listed at the top of rankings of privacy attorneys. According to the most recent Chambers USA Directory, which ranked the group in Band 1, Venable received “much effusive praise from market sources. In addition to providing expertise in more traditional areas of privacy and data security law, the group is making a name for itself in the avant-garde field of behavioral advertising. The team also advises lawmakers in Washington, DC on the development of federal privacy legislation. As the practice is largely based in the capital, it benefits from a strong network of contacts in Congress. Furthermore, the team regularly represents clients in contentious matters such as FTC investigations.”
The Venable team, in addition to Ingis and Cividanes, includes associates Kelly DeMarchis, Tara Sugiyama Potashnik, Michael Signorelli and Julia Kernochan Tama.
###
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.