Michael C. Bleicher
- Washington, D.C.
Michael counsels and litigates privacy, data security, and First Amendment issues for clients in the technology and communications industries.
Michael Bleicher has in-depth knowledge of the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA), Stored Communications Act (SCA), state biometric privacy laws, and other federal and state privacy statutes.
Michael litigates privacy and data security cases in state and federal courts. He defends technology clients in consumer class actions, including actions under state and federal data breach statutes and other laws governing privacy and security. He also regularly represents such clients in challenging legal process, including search warrants and subpoenas, appearing in state and federal courts across the country. Relatedly, Michael counsels technology clients on compliance with privacy and data protection laws, including laws addressing video and audio surveillance and the collection and use of biometric data under federal and state laws. He also routinely advises clients on cybersecurity issues, including enforcement under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA).
Additionally, Michael has experience advising established finance and investment banking companies involved in the cannabis industry (including CBD (cannabidiol), CBG (cannabigerol), marijuana, and hemp products and services) on entering the food and beverage market.
Areas of focus
Education & Credentials
Education
- Harvard Law School, J.D., Member, Journal on Legislation, 2016
- Brown University, B.A., English, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, 2011
Bar and Court Admissions
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District of Columbia
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California
Related Employment
- Cooley LLP, Washington, D.C. and Palo Alto, Associate, 2016-2018
Insights
News
Professional Experience
Experience
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Represented e-commerce platform in lawsuit stemming from alleged violations of improper collection and use of audio biometric information and prevailed as to all claims at summary judgment.
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Represented large healthcare organization in class action lawsuit alleging violations of state data security and data breach laws. A favorable settlement was negotiated for client after defeat of plaintiffs’ class certification motion.
- Represented a large social network company in a class action lawsuit that alleged that several technology and media companies, including the client, violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) by exfiltrating and analyzing persistent identifiers to serve targeted advertising to minors. A favorable settlement was negotiated for the client.
- Represented clients before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and other state commissions in privacy-related investigations and telecommunications matters.
- Advised multiple companies that wanted to develop or already have developed technology to support the cannabis/hemp/CBD industries with respect to beverages, food additives, and pharmaceuticals. These include the North American subsidiary of a multinational equipment manufacturer based in Europe, and a European multinational seeking to do business in North America.