Hannah Ji-Otto

Experienced guidance in data-driven deals and global privacy strategies

Hannah Ji-Otto advises on data privacy, technology transactions and the use of technology, including artificial intelligence (AI). She also counsels clients on preparing for and responding to data breaches, network intrusions, ransomware attacks and email compromises. With a particular focus on emerging technologies and innovative business models, Hannah helps companies navigate the full breadth of information governance challenges, guiding them in creating and maintaining comprehensive privacy compliance programs. Her clients, ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies and including both for-profit and nonprofit, come from industries such as:

• Manufacturing
• Consumer products and e-commerce
• Health care
• Insurance
• Financial tech (fintech)
• Education
• Marketing and retail

Hannah goes beyond simply helping her clients react effectively to the ever-evolving challenges in this space, working closely with them to identify opportunities to grow and advance their long-term business objectives through the use of technology and data. She delivers practical, results-focused legal counsel that aligns with business goals. Clients choose her for her ability to navigate complex tech deals and address cyber and privacy issues with clarity and efficiency, backed by the distilled knowledge gained from more than a decade working at Fortune 500 companies and large law firms.

Hannah is a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US, CIPP/E/C/A), Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM) and Fellow of Information Privacy (FIP) through the International Association of Privacy Professionals.

Privacy compliance and AI governance

• Develops and implements enterprise-wide compliance programs addressing international and domestic regulatory schemes, including GDPR, China’s PIPL, FTC Section 5, CCPA and others.
• Designs audit-ready mechanisms to reconcile competing data regulations and maintain global data flow across jurisdictions, with a focus on the EU and APAC regions.
• Guides multinational companies in overcoming challenges related to international data transfers, including navigating data export restrictions and data localization requirements. This includes implementing EU Standard Contractual Clauses, applying for the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework and complying with Chinese privacy and cybersecurity laws and regulations.
• Analyzes privacy risks for data-intensive business models, including AI, biometrics, IoT, and "as a service" (aaS) models. products and services.

Technology transactions

• Handles a wide range of complex technology transactional matters involving outsourcing, licensing, hosting, software development, distribution, cloud computing and data sharing, with a particular focus on new technologies or business models that often have a cross-border aspect.
• Conducts risk assessments and privacy due diligence; drafts and negotiates software licenses, data processing agreements and vendor agreements; and supports corporate mergers and acquisitions transactions to ensure compliance with information privacy and technology requirements.
• Drafts and negotiates licenses for aaS models.
• Prepares end-user license agreements (EULA), master licensing agreements (MLA) and vendor agreements.
• Provides advice to clients in the metaverse on developing NFT trading and minting platforms, configuring smart contracts, licensing content and integrating blockchain technology into their products and procedures.

Security incident response

• Advises clients on preparing for and responding to data breach incidents, including in the highly regulated health care and financial industries. The types of data incidents she manages include network intrusions, ransomware attacks, email compromises and employee misconduct.
• Helps conduct internal forensic investigations, analyze potential cyber liabilities, notify potentially affected individuals pursuant to breach notification laws, and communicate with law enforcement agencies and federal and state regulators.

• Assisted multiple domestic and international clients with preparation of comprehensive privacy and security programs.
• Advised numerous clients on remediation and reporting of security incidents, including those caused by ransomware, phishing, malware, employee misconduct and other cyber-attacks.
• Represented a private equity-backed fintech company in its negotiation of a complex Banking-as-a-Service agreement with a financial institution.
• Represented a Fortune 100 client during negotiations with a top-tier consulting firm for its services related to global ESG initiatives and AI strategic planning.
• Provided strategic and legal counseling for an Australian solar company's entrance into the U.S. market.
• Represented a leading EV company in preparing licensing agreements for its cutting-edge data-related products and services.