Kate Black, Greenberg Traurig (Courtesy photo)

23andMe's top privacy lawyer has left the genetic testing and research company for Greenberg Traurig, the firm announced Monday.

Kate Black, who joined 23andMe in 2015 and became global privacy officer and senior counsel in January 2018, is now a shareholder in Greenberg Traurig's San Francisco office. She's also a member of the firm's cybersecurity, privacy and crisis management and intellectual property and technology practices.

“Greenberg Traurig provides a unique, global platform to work with a wide range of companies facing the complex legal issues in privacy and data management today. I look forward to working closely with the firm's privacy and corporate teams, and adding my health technology experience to help grow the practice,” Black said in a press release.

At 23andMe, Black oversaw a global privacy program that dealt with issues of technology, digital health and genetics. She also oversaw product strategy and counseling, supervised privacy assessments and security audits, and managed privacy concerns with vendors and partners.

According to her LinkedIn profile, she also led compliance with global data protections, including the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation. She managed privacy communications strategy and developed standards for genetic and health data use.

“I can't speak more highly of the 23andMe team and my time there. I am proud of the work we did to build and oversee an industry-leading privacy program at the world's largest consumer genetic testing company. My experience was invaluable in understanding emerging technologies, growth, strategic development, and legal compliance challenges in a fast-paced startup,” Black said. “Now, I'm excited to apply my experience more broadly to other companies across the health and consumer technology sector facing similar challenges.”

Black was an adjunct professor of privacy and technology law at Golden Gate University School of Law during her time at 23andMe. She also served on the board of directors of Women in Security and Privacy from 2016 to 2017.

Her work in privacy law began before she moved in-house. Prior to 23andMe, Black developed regulatory guidelines for health technology issues at the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C.

She's also worked at the Center for Democracy & Technology and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Black spent nearly two years serving in the Executive Office of the President for the Office of Science and Technology Policy. She received her J.D. from The George Washington University Law School.

“We are excited to expand our team with the addition of Kate, whose depth and breadth of experience in the legal issues involved in the cybersecurity and data privacy areas is most impressive,” said Ian Ballon, co-chair of Greenberg Traurig's global intellectual property and technology practice group. “Her ability to provide counsel regarding the most cutting-edge and essential aspects of technology will be of great value to our clients.”

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