DAVID LASHWAY is widely recognized as a leading adviser for crisis management, cybersecurity, data security incidents, misinformation, trade secret theft, and related investigation and litigation matters. Advocacy on behalf of his clients has earned him numerous acknowledgements, including a Band 1 ranking in Chambers USA and Chambers Global for Privacy & Data Security: Incident Response and “Hall of Fame” recognition in Legal 500 for Cyber Law. David co-chairs the firm’s esteemed Privacy and Cybersecurity practice, which is recognized by Chambers USA among “The Elite” for Nationwide Privacy & Data Security (2021–2023). The group is praised in Chambers as “an unrivaled firm for privacy work” (2022). David also serves as a member of the firm’s top-ranked Crisis Management and Strategic Response group.
With more than 25 years of experience, David has advised a diverse range of private and public organizations on significant and material cybersecurity incidents across almost every critical infrastructure sector, including financial services, energy, manufacturing, technology, water, defense, municipal government, retail, transportation, and hospitality industries. He has significant experience in addressing election security and misinformation-related issues. He has served as the lead lawyer advising on the legal response to operationally impactful malware for a number of Fortune 500 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.
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 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 2024 “Top Lawyers” for Cybersecurity. He has been named to Legal 500 “Hall of Fame” for Cyber Law, which highlights individuals who are at the pinnacle of the profession. Legal 500 noted that clients describe him as “a brilliant lawyer and strategist. He is very intelligent and his performance in front of boards and management teams have been some of the best I have ever seen.” Another client noted that “David Lashway is exceptionally knowledgeable and conversant in cyber incident response, cyber threat intelligence, legislation and authorities’ issues, and national security matters.” Chambers Global has recognized David for Privacy & Data Security (USA) (2019–2024) and Privacy & Data Security: Incident Response (USA) (2021–2024). He is also recognized by Chambers USA for Nationwide Privacy & Data Security (2016–2023) and Nationwide Privacy & Data Security: Incident Response (2021–2023). David has been included on the Chambers list of leading Incident Response Lawyers since its inception and is a sought-after speaker related to cybersecurity and national security matters.