Edward McNicholas leads Ropes & Gray’s data, privacy & cybersecurity practice. He represents technologically-sophisticated clients facing complex data, privacy, and cybersecurity issues.

Recognized by the National Law Journal as a “Cybersecurity & Data Privacy Trailblazer,” Ed has significant experience with litigation and counseling matters involving privacy and data protection, cybersecurity, cloud computing, the Internet of Things, online advertising, and big data/data science. Chambers USA has included Ed in its rankings of the country’s Leading Lawyers since 2008 and notes that he “impresses sources with his outstanding knowledge and responsive service . . . handling complex privacy matters in his trial and appellate practice.” Chambers Global has recognized the global reach of Ed’s U.S. data protection practice since 2011. In 2016, the Washingtonian named Ed in its inaugural listing of best Cybersecurity lawyers, and the Cybersecurity Docket included Ed on its inaugural and 2018 “Incident Response 30” list of the nation’s best cybersecurity and data breach response lawyers. Most recently, he advised the Special Cybersecurity Review Committee of the Yahoo! Board of Directors with regard to its investigation of Yahoo! data security incidents.

Ed previously served as an Associate Counsel to President Clinton, where he advised senior White House staff regarding various Independent Counsel, congressional and grand jury investigations. He has developed unique experience representing clients in the midst of media-driven legal challenges. His crisis management skills are particularly useful in coordinating the swirl of complex litigation, congressional hearings, and federal and state investigations that can follow from major privacy and cybersecurity incidents.

Mr. McNicholas received his J.D. from Harvard Law School, where he was an editor of the Harvard Law Review. He received his A.B. from Princeton University, and served as a clerk for the Honorable Paul Niemeyer on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.