Michelle Reed > Akin > Dallas, United States > Lawyer Profile

Akin
2300 N. Field Street
Suite 1800
Dallas, TX 75201-2481
TEXAS
United States
Michelle Reed photo

Work Department

Partner; Disputes & Investigations; Cybersecurity, Privacy & Data Protection

Position

Michelle Reed is co-head of Akin’s cybersecurity, privacy & data protection practice. She has nearly two decades of experience advising companies, boards, and executives on navigating the evolving risks in privacy and cybersecurity regulation and enforcement, assisting clients in conducting comprehensive privacy and security risk assessments, and developing policies and procedures to mitigate and remediate privacy and cybersecurity threats. Michelle is especially adept at working across business units in finding practical, compliant solutions for clients. She also counsels corporations in data breach investigations and notifications, Securities and Exchange Commission cybersecurity and compliance and regulatory issues, privacy and data protection compliance, and cloud computing advice. In addition to her work in cybersecurity, privacy and data protection, Michelle also represents clients in a variety of complex civil litigation matters, including securities class actions, derivative suits and consumer class actions.

To learn more about Ms. Reed, please visit her full profile: https://www.akingump.com/en/lawyers-advisors/michelle-reed.html

Career

Ms. Reed is a leading securities and cybersecurity lawyer who has been recognized by various industry directories and publications for many years, including Who’s Who Legal, Super Lawyers, Cybersecurity Docket and The Legal 500. In addition, she was named as a 2020 Attorney of the Year finalist and an inaugural 2019 Texas Trailblazer by the Texas Lawyer.

Memberships

Co-Chair, Class Actions and Derivative Suits Subcommittee, Litigation Section, American Bar Association.
Panel Counsel, Directors and Officers Securities Claims and Investigation EdgeSM Panels of the American International Group.
Member, Bar Association of the 5th Federal Circuit.
Member, Texas Bar Association Pro Bono College.

Education

J.D., Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School, summa cum laude, 2003
B.A., Brigham Young University, with honors, 1999

Lawyer Rankings

United States > Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: defense

Akin frequently acts for private investment funds, broker dealers, and public accounting firms in private litigation under federal securities and commodities laws. It is well versed in both securities litigation and regulatory enforcement actions, often handling both in parallel for the same client. Stephen M. Baldini and Douglas Rappaport lead the practice from New York. Baldini and key partner Neal Marder in Los Angeles both played important roles in the defense of Eastman Kodak Company in multiple derivative and securities class actions. Scott Barnard, who recently handled a high-stakes matter for AB Energy Opportunity Fund, and Michelle Reed are the key partners in Dallas. New York-based Uri Itkin is a seasoned trial lawyer with substantial experience in cases involving structured finance and investment funds.

United States > Media, technology and telecoms > Cyber law (including data privacy and data protection)

The cybersecurity, privacy and data protection team at Akin stands out for its experience of emerging state privacy statutes, with notable expertise regarding the California Consumer Privacy Act and California Privacy Rights Act. Its workload includes with counseling clients on compliance with these regulations, and supporting them through any litigation or investigations in the practice area. San Francisco-based Natasha Kohne co-leads the practice, assisting clients in the development of privacy and security programs to both mitigate risk and respond to cybersecurity events. In Dallas, co-head Michelle Reed is recommended for her ability to work across business units, supporting clients in sectors including retail, healthcare, energy, aerospace and private equity. Jo-Ellyn Sakowitz Klein is the key name in Washington DC, a go-to for health information privacy matters involving HIPAA and HITECH compliance. In Irvine, Hyongsoon Kim handles consumer and data privacy class action defense, including those involving unfair business practices and false advertising laws.