Pierce Atwood Partner Peter J. Guffin Selected as Arbitrator for EU-US Privacy Shield Program

Peter Guffin, who heads Pierce Atwood’s Privacy & Data Security practice, has been selected by the US Department of Commerce and European Commission to serve as an arbitrator for the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield arbitration program.  The 16 individuals selected to serve as arbitrators are among the country’s leading privacy law scholars and practitioners.

Arbitrators will be responsible for resolving privacy disputes between EU citizens and US organizations electing to participate in the EU-US Privacy Shield framework.  In resolving such disputes over personal data, the arbitrators will play an important role in shaping the development of international privacy law and cross-border data transfer mechanisms.

In his privacy and data security law practice, Guffin counsels clients on compliance with state, federal and international laws and regulations relating to privacy and data protection, including cross-border data transfers.  He also provides advice and assistance to clients with respect to data security incidents, ranging from internal investigations, incident response, breach notification obligations, communications with regulators, risk mitigation and litigation strategies.

Guffin also serves as Professor of Practice and Co-Director of the Information Privacy Law Program at the University of Maine School of Law, one of the leading law school programs in the U.S. offering a Certificate in Information Privacy Law.  In addition to teaching courses and practicums in information privacy law and cybersecurity, Guffin also teaches an information governance course for  regulatory compliance and risk management professionals as part of the Law School’s Certificate in Regulatory Compliance program.  Guffin is founder and author of the blog, Privacy Law Perspectives, and has written recently on the EU-US Privacy Shield.

Pierce Atwood managing partner David E. Barry states, “Congratulations to Peter on being selected as an arbitrator and for this well-deserved recognition of his expertise in U.S. and EU privacy law.  Peter has been instrumental in building our firm’s privacy and data security practice, and his demonstrated integrity, fairness, and good judgment make him an ideal choice to serve as an arbitrator to resolve privacy disputes between EU citizens and US organizations under the EU-US Privacy Shield arbitration program. ”

"Peter Guffin is an amazing asset to the University of Maine School of Law," said Danielle Conway, Dean and Professor at the University of Maine School of Law. "From the moment he came on board as Professor of Practice and Co-Director of Maine Law's Information Privacy Law Program, he has provided leadership in every aspect of our organization.  He has exceptional bandwidth in the fields of privacy law and cybersecurity. Peter is an outstanding choice for EU-U.S Privacy Shield arbitration program. Congratulations!"