CHRISTOPHER FONZONE is a partner in Sidley’s Privacy and Cybersecurity group. His practice focuses on a wide range of issues related to information technology and cybersecurity, such as data protection, information security and management, and cyber governance and preparedness. Chris also has particular experience in assisting in the management of crisis situations and advising senior clients on a variety of national security issues, including military and intelligence operations, litigation and other forms of dispute resolution, encryption, foreign trade sanctions and Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) matters.
Chris’s practice draws on the perspective he gained from substantial government service. Before joining Sidley, Christopher was Deputy Assistant and Deputy Counsel to President Obama and the Legal Adviser to the National Security Council (NSC). While there, he served as legal adviser and counselor to the President, the National Security Advisor, the Homeland Security Adviser and other senior White House officials on the full range of matters before the NSC. He also managed a team of lawyers responsible for advising the NSC staff in matters of administrative law, international law, ethics, compliance and oversight. Before his time in the White House, Chris was Senior Counsel to General Counsel of the Department of Defense, where he provided counsel on military operations and litigation matters as part of the General Counsel’s front office. Chris has also served in the Department of Justice, both in the Office of Legal Counsel and on the Civil Division’s Appellate Staff.
Chris has lectured and taught classes on national security law at a variety of law schools, and his writing on national security topics has appeared in various forums. He also writes frequently on privacy and cybersecurity topics, with his work often featured on the Sidley Blog Data Matters: Cybersecurity, Privacy, Data Protection, Internet Law and Policy.
Prior to attending law school, Chris managed projects and led teams in North America, Europe and Asia for a rapidly-growing boutique management consultancy focused on retail bank strategy.