Elizabeth Rogers |

As part of an expansion of its data privacy and cybersecurity practice, Michael Best & Friedrich has hired Greenberg Traurig partner Elizabeth Rogers, who previously was the first chief privacy officer in Texas state government, working for the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.

Rogers, who officially joined Michael Best as a partner March 12, will work in the firm's Austin office. She was recruited by Adrienne Ehrhardt, the chair of the firm's privacy and data security group, who has a mandate to expand the practice.

Ehrhardt, who joined Michael Best about 18 months ago as a partner in Madison, Wisconsin, said the firm recognizes privacy and cybersecurity as a “hot-button issue.” In addition to Rogers, Ehrhardt said, the firm plans to soon announce the hiring of two more experienced lawyers in the practice area in other locations.

“We wanted to hit the ground running. We wanted to hire people who were experienced like Elizabeth,” Ehrhardt said.

Rogers, who joined Greenberg Traurig in 2014, said she is excited to have the opportunity to help Michael Best expand its data privacy and cybersecurity practice and the Austin office, which currently has three lawyers.

“I like the values of the firm, the culture, the client base. It's also smaller and easier to navigate,” Rogers said, adding that she has confidence in Ehrhardt's vision for growth of the practice.

Rogers' work involves setting up cybersecurity compliance programs for clients and helping them respond to breaches. She said she brought clients with her, but declined to identify them. Ehrhardt said her clients include Finicity.

Demetrius McDaniel, a Greenberg Traurig partner in Austin who is co-regional operating partner in Texas, did not immediately respond to a request for a comment.