
Deborah Shinbein Howitt
Director
Email: dhowitt@williamsweese.com
Phone: (303) 228-2502
Data Privacy and Security
• Digital Marketing
• Data Breach Response
• Policy Development
Intellectual Property Transactions
• Licensing
• Internet and Technology Law
• Commercial Transactions
• Trademarks
• Copyrights
• Sweepstakes and Contests
Deborah has focused on commercial transactions, privacy, internet, technology and media law since 1997. She is a Certified Information Privacy Professional, having received the CIPP/US designation from the International Association of Privacy Professionals.
Deborah helps her clients navigate the maze of laws and regulations applicable to personal data, e-commerce and online content, and has worked in the urgent aftermath of security breaches, crafted information security policies, handled digital marketing compliance, and guided clients through numerous other data security and privacy matters. She enjoys following the rapid new developments in privacy and Internet law, as well as helping clients manage their data risks and bringing them into compliance. Her privacy-related work includes drafting privacy policies for websites and mobile applications, international data transfers, data breach notifications/preparedness, vendor privacy/security programs, training programs for clients, as well as compliance with state and federal laws, FTC guidance, PCI compliance, Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, TCPA, COPPA, CAN-SPAM, FERPA, HIPAA, international privacy laws, and more. With clients in numerous industries, she is frequently asked to advise on cutting-edge privacy matters such as in-venue beacons, targeted advertising, and tracking of consumers.
With a combination of in-house and large law firm experience, Deborah has worked on multi-million dollar commercial transactions as well as small deals for startups. She frequently drafts and negotiates agreements related to content or technology licensing, professional or technical services, strategic alliances, and more. She has extensive experience in copyright protection and enforcement, user-generated content matters, e-commerce agreements, sweepstakes, contests, and other promotions. In addition, she handles the registration and enforcement of trademarks and copyrights, and has successfully resolved dozens of domain name disputes.
Deborah began her legal career in Silicon Valley at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, and she was more recently Special Counsel at Faegre & Benson. Her in-house roles have included The Walt Disney Internet Group, USA Networks, DrDrew.com, and General Counsel for Examiner.com. She has worked with technology and media companies of all sizes, and tailors her solutions to the needs, budget and culture of each client.