David C. Lashway

DAVID LASHWAY is a member of the firm’s global Executive Committee. David is co-leader of the firm’s global Privacy and Cybersecurity practice. He has a Band 1 ranking in Chambers USA (2026) for Privacy & Data Security: Cybersecurity; a Band 1 ranking in Chambers USA (2026) for National Security; and, a Band 1 ranking in Chambers USA (2021-2023) and Chambers Global (2022-2024) for Privacy & Data Security: Incident Response. He also received “Hall of Fame” recognition in Legal 500 United States for Cyber Law, the highest ranking issued. The firm’s Privacy and Cybersecurity practice which David leads was recently named a 2025 “Cybersecurity & Privacy Practice Group of the Year” by Law360, and is recognized by Chambers USA among “The Elite” for Nationwide Privacy & Data Security (2021–2026). The practice is praised in Chambers as “an unrivaled firm for privacy work” (2022). David also serves as a member of the firm’s Chambers Band 1 (2021–2026) ranked Crisis Management and Strategic Response group, and the firm's White Collar Defense and Investigations Group, which is ranked among the top three law firms globally by the Global Investigations Review (2023–2025). David is widely recognized as a leading adviser for crisis management, national security and cybersecurity matters, misinformation, trade secret theft, and related investigation and litigation matters.

“A brilliant lawyer and strategist. He is very intelligent and his performances in front of boards and management teams have been some of the best I have ever seen.”
Chambers Global 2022

With more than 25 years of experience, David has advised a diverse range of private and public organizations on major cybersecurity incidents across every critical infrastructure sector.,. He has significant experience in addressing nation-state related issues, as well as election law and related investigations. He has served as the lead lawyer advising on the legal response to operationally impactful malware for a number of Fortune 100 entities, and led the incident response, associated investigations and litigations for several companies impacted by the NotPetya malware incident. He routinely leads responses to ransomware-related matters and is at the forefront of emerging issues posed by AI and generative AI-related technologies. David is also known for his technological savvy and early focus on clients’ involvement with post-quantum cryptography, blockchain, and artificial intelligence (AI). He regularly advises clients on complex compliance issues related to the U.S. Department of Justice Bulk Sensitive Data Transfer Rule.

“Dave Lashway is technically superb and enormously experienced in managing big cyber investigations.”
Legal 500 USA 2026

Clients also turn to David for guidance in some of their most significant transactional matters. He has led due diligence on some of the largest recent corporate transactions in the last decade, and regularly advises companies through complex Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) issues. He has also served as lead counsel on matters for organizations facing difficult regulatory, congressional, and public policy issues across a range of industry sectors and subjects. David is fluent in multiple languages and regularly handles matters involving the global intelligence community and law enforcement.

“David has a breadth of experience that gives him extraordinary wisdom on complicated cybersecurity matters.”
Chambers Global 2023

David has been regularly recognized as one of leading lawyers globally for cybersecurity law. The Washingtonian has named David one of Washington, D.C.’s “Top Lawyers” for Cybersecurity. David is a sought-after speaker related to cybersecurity and national security matters. He is member of the Aspen Institute’s Cybersecurity Group Advisory Board, The Washington Post Intelligence Advisory Board, the Advisory Board of the National Security Institute at the Antonin Scalia School of Law, and The Economic Club of Washington. He also serves on the Board of the National Cathedral School in Washington.