Fenwick today announced the arrival of two experienced privacy lawyers, Sari Ratican and Melanie Jolson, who will join the firm’s Santa Monica and New York offices, respectively. Sari and Melanie have extensive experience advising technology companies on the ever-changing privacy and security landscape.
"We are excited to add Sari and Melanie to our top-rated privacy practice," said privacy and cybersecurity partner Michael Sussmann. "They are excellent lawyers who can see around corners and provide practical solutions that will help our clients to innovate, expand, and manage risk."
Sari has spent over 25 years advising public, private, non-profit, and start up clients on privacy and data protection issues. Her practice spans the development and implementation of comprehensive privacy and data protection programs, guidance on data governance, and responses to regulators. Sari has particular expertise in privacy and data protection pertaining to healthcare, life sciences, biotech, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, telehealth, and digital health.
During her tenure as Amgen Inc.’s first chief privacy officer, the company initiated and established its global privacy program across more than 75 countries. More recently, Sari was the head of privacy and data governance at 98point8, the world’s first on-demand, text-based and AI-supported primary care telehealth clinic. In between those in-house leadership roles, Sari practiced at two AmLaw 100 law firms.
Melanie joins us from Simpson Thacher, where she provided clients with privacy and data security advice across all corporate transactions, including M&A, debt offerings, financings, and licensing agreements. Melanie’s work spans healthcare and life sciences, media and entertainment, software and technology, and retail and consumer products.
Melanie also advises clients on compliance with domestic and foreign data privacy regulations, such as the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA),Gramm Leach Biley Act (GLBA), the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Sari and Melanie’s arrival builds on our continuing investment in the firm’s regulatory, privacy, and cybersecurity practices. In 2021, Fenwick welcomed trade and national security partner Melissa Duffy and antitrust partners Steve Albertson and Tom Ensign. In 2022, government contracts partners Joyce Tong Oelrich and Zohra Tejani and healthcare regulatory partner Jennifer Yoo joined the firm. And in 2023, Fenwick welcomed trade and national security partner Rob Slack, corporate regulatory partner Heidi Lawson, and internationally recognized privacy, cybersecurity, and national security partner and former federal cybercrime prosecutor Michael Sussmann.
About Fenwick
Fenwick is a leading law firm, purpose-built to guide visionary tech and life sciences companies and their investors through every stage of growth, from startups securing their first round of funding to leading publicly-traded global enterprises. As one of Silicon Valley’s original legal practices, today we have over 500 lawyers, patent agents, engineers and scientists serving clients from seven offices located in innovation hubs across the United States and China. Named 2023 Life Sciences Practice Group of the Year by Law360, we are consistently ranked a Chambers first-tier firm for delivering the deep experience and technical skill that help innovators at the forefront of their industries redefine what’s possible. Visit www.fenwick.com to learn more.