LOS ANGELES, CA (June 23, 2021) – Venable LLP is pleased to announce that Hemanshu (Hemu) Nigam has joined the firm as a partner in the eCommerce, Privacy, and Cybersecurity Practice in the Los Angeles office. Mr. Nigam has nearly 25 years of experience in solving online security, privacy, and safety challenges facing corporations, start-ups, celebrities, and pro athletes, as well as government and law enforcement.
Emilio Cividanes, a co-chair of Venable’s eCommerce, Privacy, and Cybersecurity Practice, said, “I’ve known Hemu for decades and have worked alongside him. He will be a great addition to our robust team of privacy attorneys and cybersecurity professionals.”
Ari Schwartz, managing director of Cybersecurity Services at Venable, said, “Hemu has been a leader in online safety, privacy, and security for more than 20 years. Having worked with him closely and learned from him in the past, we are excited to have him on our team. Venable’s clients will certainly gain from his knowledge and experience.”
Mr. Nigam was previously the founder and chief executive officer of cybersecurity and cyber intelligence firm Cyber Security Affairs, formerly known as SSP Blue. He is often retained by clients to provide counsel on cutting-edge online privacy and security issues. He has extensive experience conducting end-to-end cyber assessments and protection. Mr. Nigam served as a senior vice president and chief security officer for a leading mass media and publishing company, a social networking service, a television singing competition show, and a movie review site for film and television, where he was responsible for protecting the personal information of more than 200 million users globally. Previously, he was in-house counsel and an executive at a multinational software and technology company, where he focused on internal investigations, law enforcement compliance, safety and privacy by design, and working with the intelligence community. Prior to that, he served as the vice president of worldwide internet enforcement at a trade association representing major films studios. Mr. Nigam was one of the country’s first online crimes prosecutors against hackers, human traffickers, and child predators at the U.S. Department of Justice, where he also served as an advisor to a congressional commission on child safety and an advisor to the White House on cyberstalking. He began his career as a prosecutor for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, specializing in adult and child sex crimes and abuse cases.
Mitch Evall, partner-in-charge of the firm’s Los Angeles office, said, “Given our client base in the LA office, which includes high-net-worth individuals, talent, and pro athletes facing privacy, cybersecurity, and safety issues on a regular basis, Hemu’s experience will be tremendously valuable. We are excited to have Hemu join us."