Mayer Brown continues momentum in New York with hiring of former NYDFS cyber leader Justin Herring

Mayer Brown announced today that Justin Herring, former Executive Deputy Superintendent of the Cybersecurity Division at the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS), joined as a partner in its Cybersecurity & Data Privacy practice and its Financial Services & Regulatory Enforcement and Global Investigations & White Collar Defense practices. Justin, a litigator, will be resident in the firm’s New York office. His arrival underscores Mayer Brown’s continued expansion of its cybersecurity and regulatory enforcement offerings and sustained growth in New York. The firm has added nearly 50 lateral partners since 2018 to its New York office – now some 300 lawyers strong – and recently welcomed Jason Friedman, former Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan and NYDFS alum Jared Wilner.

Justin will provide comprehensive representation and counseling on sophisticated cybersecurity matters, including global incident response, enforcement actions and related litigation, cyber monitorships and regulatory compliance. He will also advise individuals and entities in the crypto and fintech sectors.

At NYDFS, Justin served as the first leader of the agency’s Cybersecurity Division, itself a first-of-its-kind unit at a financial services regulator. Under Justin’s leadership, NYDFS’ Cybersecurity Division was responsible for all aspects of the nation’s first cybersecurity regulation for financial services. The Division became a go-to source for guidance on novel and emerging cyber challenges. NYDFS's approach to cybersecurity regulation has been widely adopted by regulators, including the Federal Trade Commission and dozens of state banking and insurance regulators.

“Justin’s experience is unparalleled—industry stakeholders, regulators, and other practitioners look to him for pioneering solutions to the toughest cybersecurity challenges,” said Raj De, head of the firm’s global Cybersecurity & Data Privacy practice. “His breadth of knowledge and recent regulatory experience position him to advise our clients on the panoply of issues at play today.”

Steve Kaplan, leader of the firm’s Financial Services Regulatory & Enforcement practice, added, “Justin’s regulatory and litigation acumen will greatly benefit our financial services and fintech clients, who need forward-thinking counsel to operate optimally in today’s environment.”

Prior to NYDFS, Justin served as the inaugural chief of the Cybercrimes Unit at the US Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, where he led several of the most consequential cyber prosecutions, including the first major insider trading and hacking cases (Newswire & SEC EDGAR Hacks) and the prosecution of the first ransomware ring focused on corporate extortion (Samsam).

Justin served on the New York Governor’s Cybersecurity Advisory Board from 2019 to 2022, where he developed guidance and solutions related to election security, critical infrastructure protection, and pandemic benefits fraud.

“After 13 fulfilling years in government, I am excited to return to private practice and join Raj and the market-leading cybersecurity team at Mayer Brown,” Justin shared. “Companies today face an ever-rising tide of cyber threats. Having been behind the scenes as a regulator, cybercrimes chief and AUSA, I look forward to helping clients navigate what can be a perilous landscape for businesses.”

“Justin’s background as a prosecutor, regulator and distinguished cybercrimes chief makes him a singular resource for clients navigating what has become a hotbed for litigation,” said Matthew Ingber, managing partner of the New York office. “As we continue to grow our cutting-edge team in New York, Justin’s depth of experience and innovative approach make him an ideal fit.”

Earlier in his career, Justin clerked for Chief Judge Danny J. Boggs of the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

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