Natasha G. Kohne

Kohne has thrived at the intersection of two traditionally male-dominated fields: law and technology.

But the partner and co-head of Akin Gump’s cybersecurity, privacy and data protection practice said more women should go into this area of law.

“I think it is important to push back against the stereotype of this industry as being difficult to break into,” Kohne said. “Cybersecurity is an emerging field, and I believe there can actually be more openings and opportunities for women in emerging fields.”

The newness of cybersecurity as a legal specialty has allowed Kohne to largely shape the practice as she sees fit. While she does engage in litigation, Kohne said the job is becoming more about establishing ongoing relationships with client — and keeping the client out of “the spotlight” when something does go wrong.

“About five percent of publicly disclosed data breaches result in a class action lawsuit,” Kohne said. “A lawyer’s role is absolutely critical in a breach. A lawyer should be leading the investigation.”

Kohne is also helping sell a cybersecurity component to clients of Akin Gump’s other clients, said partner Susan H. Lent.

“Not only does she pursue her own business opportunities, she’s very good about jumping on opportunities that are brought in by other members of the firm as well,” Lent said. “She has a vision about this area.”

As the “quarterback” of a team responding to a data breach, Kohne might find herself talking one moment to the data forensics crew trying to find the identity of an intruder, and the next on the phone with the crisis communications team talking to the press.

“She can unwind very highly technical facts and circumstances about a cyber incident and boil it down into something than be easily understood,” said Ted Theisen, the senior managing director of Ankura Consulting Group LLC. Theisen said he has worked with Kohne on multiple breach responses for clients.

The international aspect of cybersecurity is also growing in importance. In fact, she established the cybersecurity practice in Abu Dhabi nearly a decade ago while establishing an office there, which she still co-manages; the city has become a center for technology firms in recent years. It’s among the accomplishments that landed her on the Daily Journal’s 2017 list of Top Women Lawyers.

“Perpetrators are often across borders, in countries where law enforcement may not cooperate or where international treaties may not be in place,” Kohne said. “Understanding how to navigate cross-border problems and the intricacies of international regulation is critical.”

— Malcolm Maclachlan