Adam V. Griffin

Adam’s practice focuses primarily on data privacy and security. As a Shareholder in the Firm’s nationally recognized Cybersecurity & Privacy Practice, Adam advises clients nationwide on a spectrum of data privacy and security issues, including breach response, vendor management, policy and procedure preparation and review, regulatory compliance, incident response planning, audit and investigation oversight, and related litigation.

Working with clients across varied industries including, education, financial services, and technology, Adam is well versed in federal, state, and international privacy laws and regulations. He counsels clients on the privacy and security of their data and often interfaces with the technology and data security professionals within organizations to efficiently solve problems and plan for inevitable incidents.

Adam draws upon his background in commercial litigation and information technology to counsel clients on cyber insurance issues and other risk shifting measures. He also represents educational institution clients in litigation and advises schools on a range of issues at the intersection of law and technology.

Adam is CIPP/US certified by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP). He frequently writes and contributes to publications pertaining to data privacy and security as well as speaks on these topics at conferences, trainings, and seminars across the U.S. Additionally, Adam maintains a civil litigation practice, including large and complex cases for national clients.

• Coordinating incident response for clients, including ransomware attacks, business email compromises, and other breaches
• Developing cybersecurity policies, procedures, and security programs
• Performing cybersecurity awareness training
• Negotiating cyber risk issues in technology contracts
• Evaluating cyber liability insurance coverage

• The Mississippi Bar - Business Law Section, Litigation Section, Technology Committee member
• The Alabama Bar
• International Association of Privacy Professionals

• Changing Cyber Insurance Market Calls for Enhanced Preparation (March 2022)
• Protecting District Data, American School Board Journal (December, 2021), available at: https://nsba.org/ASBJ/2021/december/protecting-district-data
• Mississippi Sectoral Privacy Overview, OneTrust Data Guidance, available at: https://www.dataguidance.com/n...

• August 15, 2022, “Campus Cybersecurity and Data Privacy: The Way Forward,” Career Schools Private Education Network
• August 1, 2022, “Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act of 2022,” The Expert Briefing with FTI Cybersecurity Podcast
• July 19, 2022, “Cyber Risk Management for the Business Office,” Blackbaud K-12 User Conference
• July 14, 2022, “Tales from the Cyber Battlefield,” Mississippi Association of School Superintendents
• June 21, 2022, “Cybersecurity Issues and Updates,” Mississippi Educational Technology Leaders Association
• June 14, 2022, “Healthcare Cybersecurity and Compliance Issues,” BeCloud Webinar
• May 5, 2022, "Responding to Ransomware and Other Incidents," Association of Technology Leaders in Independent Schools
• April 13, 2022, "Managing Cybersecurity Risks in the Retirement Industry," National Institute of Retirement Security
• April 10, 2022, “Contractual Language for Cloud and Cyber Safety,” Consortium for School Networking
• March 11, 2022, “Cyber Safety Workshop – the Changing Nature of Vendor Contracts,” Association of Technology Leaders in Independent Schools
• March 1, 2022, “Cybersecurity, Contracts, and other Issues for Superintendents,” East Mississippi Center for Educational Development
• February 24, 2022, “Revisions to the GLBA Safeguards Rule – What Career Schools Need to Know,” Mid Atlantic Association Of Career Schools
• February 23, 2022, “Media Coverage in Cyber Events,” Mississippi Educational Technology Leaders Association
• January 24, 2022, “Cyber Cornucopia – Issues for 2022,” Mississippi Association of School Superintendents
• December 9, 2021, “Cyber Risks for Schools and Their Data,” Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools
• November 30, 2021, “Data Privacy and Security Deep Dive,” Public Charter School Alliance of South Carolina
• November 8, 2021, “Cyber Risks for Schools and Their Data,” Tennessee Association of Independent Schools
• October 29, 2021, “Panel: Cyber Safety Workshop,” Association of Technology Leaders in Independent Schools
• October 21, 2021, “Cyber Risks for Schools and Their Data,” Central Access User’s Conference
• October 20, 2021, “Data Privacy and Security Overview for New Superintendents,” Mississippi School Boards Association
• September 29, 2021, “Ransomware, Data Privacy and Security, and Other Issues,” National School Boards Association Council of School Attorneys
• September 20, 2021, “Preventing and Surviving Cyber Attacks: Emerging Trends -- Are You Covered,” Mississippi School Boards Association
• July 21, 2021, “Cyber Risks for Schools and Their Data,” Public Charter School Alliance of South Carolina
• July 18, 2021, “Cyber Risks for Schools and Their Data,” Southern Association of School Boards
• July 15, 2021, “Data Privacy and Security for Learning in the Future,” Blackbaud User’s Conference
• July 14, 2021, “Cybersecurity, Malware, and Data Breaches – Not if but When,” Mississippi Association of School Superintendents
• July 14, 2021, “Cyber Risks for IT Directors,” Mississippi Association of School Superintendents
• July 13, 2021, “Cyber Risks for Schools and Their Data,” Tennessee Charter School Center (Nashville)
• July 12, 2021, “Cyber Risks for Schools and Their Data,” Tennessee Charter School Center (Memphis)
• June 4, 2021, “Cyber Risks for Schools and Their Data,” Greater New Orleans Collaborative of Charter Schools
• April 26, 2021, “K-12 Cybersecurity and Other Risk Issues for Learning in the Future,” Association of Technology Leaders in Independent Schools
• October 28, 2020, “What School Board Attorneys Need to Know about Data Security and Breaches,” National School Boards Association Council of School Attorneys
• October 27, 2020, “Digital Learning – Erate and Equity Issues,” American Bar Association
• July 15, 2020, “Privacy and Legal Issues in Distance Learning,” Mississippi Association of School Superintendents
• April 23, 2020, “Student Data Privacy Issues in Distance Learning,” New York Association of Independent Schools
• April 22, 2020, “Student Data Privacy Issues in Distance Learning,” New Jersey Association of Independent Schools
• April 13, 2020, “Cybersecurity, Student Data Privacy, and Distance Learning,” Greater New Orleans Collaborative of Charter Schools
• April 7, 2020, “Vendor Cyber Risks,” Association of Technology Leaders in Independent Schools
• March 9, 2020, “Cybersecurity Issues,” Southeast Land Title Association Georgia
• February 27, 2020, “Cybersecurity for Charter Schools,” Tennessee Charter School Center
• February 27, 2020, “Social Media and Cybersecurity Issues,” Mississippi School Public Relations Association
• February 20, 2020, “CCPA for Financial Institutions,” Lorman Webinar
• February 19, 2020, “Cyber Incident Response Planning,” Mississippi Educational Technology Leaders Association
• February 12, 2020, “Reviewing and Improving Cyber Insurance and Vendor Contracts,” Mississippi Association of School Business Officials
• February 11, 2020, “A Cybersecurity Primer,” Institute of Internal Auditors – Central Mississippi Chapter
• January 28, 2020, “Cybersecurity Update,” Mississippi Association of School Superintendents
• January 16, 2020, “Cybersecurity Update,” Mississippi School Boards Association
• January 8, 2020, “Technology, the Law, and School Districts: A Look at Data Privacy, Security, and other Issues,” North Mississippi Education Consortium
• December 3, 2019, “Corporate Account Takeovers and Security Procedure Trends and Case Studies,” PaymentsFirst Birmingham
• November 22, 2019, “Cybersecurity for Lawyers,” Magnolia Bar Association
• November 20, 2019, “Data Privacy and Security Issues,” Mississippi Association of School Superintendents
• November 12, 2019, “Ransomware: Avoid Being a Victim,” Mississippi School Boards Association
• October 24, 2019, “Prevalent and Emerging Cyber Risks: A Combined Business and Legal Perspective,” CSpire Cybersecurity Conference
• October 17, 2019, “Cyber Insurance: What you Need to Know,” Central Access User’s Conference
• September 9, 2019, “Cybersecurity for Public School Districts,” Mississippi School Boards Association
• September 5, 2019, “GSuite Public Records Issues, Cyber Insurance,” Mississippi Educational Technology Leaders Association
• June 12, 2019, “Cybersecurity, Risk Management, and Cyber Insurance,” Association of Technology Leaders in Independent Schools
• April 23, 2019, “Safeguarding the Privacy of Student Data in the Age of Digital Learning,” Mississippi School Boards Association
• April 22, 2019, “Responsible Use of Social Media for Employees and Students,” Mississippi School Boards Association
• April 15, 2019, “Cyber Risk Management: A Legal Perspective,” the Association of Technology Leaders in Independent Schools
• April 5, 2019, “Cyber Insurance, Vendors, and Other Risk Transfer,” Mississippi Educational Technology Leaders Association
• December 3, 2018, “Cyber Risks and Risk Transfer,” Mississippi School Boards Association
• September 27, 2018, “Social Media, Public Records, the First Amendment, and CIPA,” Mississippi Educational Technology Leaders Association
• September 14, 2018, “Social Media, Public Records, and Related Issues,” Mississippi School Public Relations Association
• September 11, 2018, “Student and Teacher Social Media Policies,” Mississippi School Boards Association
• July 12, 2018, “Social Media and Student Privacy,” Mississippi Association of School Superintendents
• July 12, 2018, “Vendor Contract Issues,” Mississippi Association of School Superintendents
• July 11, 2018, “Data Breach Planning Workshop,” Mississippi Association of School Superintendents
• May 8, 2018, “Social Media Issues,” Mississippi School Board Association's Council of School Board Attorneys Annual Seminar on School Law
• April 24, 2018, “Data Security and Privacy Issues,” Mississippi School Boards Association
• April 5, 2018, “FERPA Issues,” Mississippi Educational Technology Leaders Association
• February 20, 2018, “Data Security and Privacy Issues,” Mississippi School Boards Association
• February 7, 2018, “Data Security and Privacy Issues,” Mississippi Association of School Business Officials
• January 29, 2018, “Involving Counsel in Technology Matters,” Mississippi Educational Technology Leaders Association
• January 23, 2018, “Social Media Issues,” Mississippi Association of School Superintendents