Bart Lazar Profiled in Law360
"Consumer Protection and Privacy Report"

Seyfarth Shaw Intellectual Property partner Bart Lazar was profiled in a Law360 Q&A on October 17. In the article, Bart answered questions about his career and practice, and he discussed the most challenging case he has worked on, aspects in his practice in need of reform, an important case relevant to his practice area, an attorney outside of Seyfarth who has impressed him and an early career mistake that resulted in a notable learning experience.

Bart mentioned a challenging case brought by the Federal Trade Commission which held high stakes for the federal government and Bart's client GeoCities, which was headed for an initial public offering (IPO), and a report of the settlement made The New York Times' business section front page. He later participated on a call in which the investment bankers behind the IPO and the senior management of the company wanted to hear his take on the experience.

He also described a case that shaped his career in which the Supreme Court confirmed basic principles that employers should have a communications policy regarding computer use, social media and/or electronic, and it should be understandable, clearly communicated to employees, and the company should train employers and supervisors on the policy. The facts of the case suggested that employers should clearly state in their policies that neither supervisors nor employees have the authority to modify the policy of their own accord.

Regarding what he thought was in need of reform, Bart said baseline security and security breach legislation with strong preemption language was lacking, as several states have adopted such laws, but many of them differ.

Bart named the late Ron Plesser as an admired attorney for "his ability to work effectively in Washington with industry groups and regulators to try and find common ground to protect the public without overburdening corporate America."