Navigating GDPR, U.S. Discovery Rules, and EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework
Strategies for Avoiding and Mitigating Conflicting Obligations

Course Details
- smart_display Format
On-Demand
- signal_cellular_alt Difficulty Level
Intermediate
- work Practice Area
Class Action and Other Litigation
- event Date
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
- schedule Time
1:00 p.m. ET./10:00 a.m. PT
- timer Program Length
90 minutes
-
This 90-minute webinar is eligible in most states for 1.5 CLE credits.
This CLE webinar will guide litigators in managing high stakes clashes between U.S. discovery obligations and foreign privacy protection laws, primarily the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), including the relatively recent EU-U.S. "Data Privacy Framework." The panel will discuss the growing importance of foreign privacy laws in U.S. litigation, current approaches to privacy law objections to U.S. discovery, and the EU-U.S. "Data Privacy Framework."
Faculty

As leader of Phillips Lytle’s Data Security & Privacy and E-Discovery & Digital Forensics Practice Teams, Ms. Clark focuses on complex e-discovery and digital forensics, cybersecurity and data privacy, and complex commercial litigation. As a former Assistant District Attorney, she also handles white collar criminal matters and investigations. Additionally, Ms. Clark has been awarded the following ANSI-accredited credentials by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP): Certified Information Privacy Professional/Europe (CIPP/E); Certified Information Privacy Professional for the U.S. Private Sector (CIPP/US); and Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM). CIPP/E and CIPP/US are preeminent certifications for advanced concentration in European data protection laws and U.S. private-sector laws, standards and practices, respectively. The CIPM certification recognizes Ms. Clark’s ability to design, build and operate data privacy management programs that are compliant with privacy laws and regulations. Ms. Clark has also been designated as a Fellow of Information Privacy (FIP). The FIP designation signifies that she has demonstrated her comprehensive knowledge of privacy laws, privacy program management and essential data protection practices with significant data security and privacy experience in these areas. Ms. Clark is among a select group of individuals around the world who have received this designation.

Mr. Cohen is the chair of the firm’s Records & E-Discovery Group. He has 30 years of commercial litigation experience in a variety of subject matters. Mr. Cohen serves as special e-discovery counsel in many cases, represents companies in complex litigation matters, and also counsels clients on records management and litigation readiness issues. In addition, Mr. Cohen has designed and presented e-discovery training programs for judges and neutrals around the country; has authored numerous legal publications; and is a frequent presenter at continuing legal education seminars regarding e-discovery, technology and litigation tactics.

Mr. Leuthner focuses his practice on technology and data protection. He is a trusted advisor to clients seeking help to navigate the ever-changing risk landscape associated with technological development. With a decade of experience as a commercial lawyer in the field, Mr. Leuthner advises on all aspects of IT and data protection law, including cloud computing, online platforms, international data transfers, technology transactions, company integrations and various e-commerce-related projects.

Ms. Plaza concentrates her practice on a broad range of litigation in the areas of antitrust, trademark, data security and privacy, e-discovery, white collar criminal defense and government investigations. She is also experienced in international arbitration proceedings and arbitral award enforcement as advocate and tribunal assistant. Prior to joining Phillips Lytle, Ms. Plaza was a senior associate in the litigation group of the largest law firm in the Philippines.
Description
The EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) can have significant impact in U.S.-based litigation. Parties must determine whether they can legally provide records subject to the GDPR to U.S. lawyers, investigators, regulators, courts, and other parties.
Federal courts and European Data Protection Authorities continue to evolve in their navigation of the relationship between the GDPR and other international privacy laws and the U.S. discovery obligations. The Court of Justice of the European Union's "Schrems II" decision further complicated these issues, raising the stakes and potentially creating a catch-22 for entities involved in U.S. discovery.
Navigating the relationship and potential conflict between the GDPR and U.S. discovery requires thoughtful strategies and a thorough understanding of the priorities and obligations that may apply. These issues typically are resolved case-by-case, and counsel must rely on sometimes conflicting precedents.
Listen as our panel provides guidance about this increasingly important area and how to navigate the conflicts between GDPR and U.S. discovery obligations.
Outline
- The growing importance of GDPR in U.S. litigation
- Foreign privacy law objections in U.S. discovery
- Societe Nationale Industrielle Aerospatiale v. U.S. Dist. Court for the S. Dist. of Iowa, 482 U.S. 522 (1987)
- Hague Conventions
- Schrems II decision
- Strategies for navigating the conflict
- EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework
Benefits
The panel will discuss these and other key issues:
- Who is governed by GDPR?
- What other GDPR-like laws create similar concerns abroad and in the United States?
- Does the location of data or individuals matter?
- Who is governed by U.S. discovery rules, and who can be compelled to produce data?
- What are the consequences of transgressing the GDPR or transgressing U.S. discovery obligations?
- What can litigants and their counsel do to minimize the risks?
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