Devin J. Chwastyk, Esq., CIPP/US
Devin Chwastyk is the Chair of the Privacy & Data Security group of McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC. He began working on cybersecurity issues in 2005, when he represented banks to recover credit card replacement costs from national retailers who failed to safeguard such information; his clients prevailed in some of the first successful data breach lawsuits in U.S federal courts.
Today, Devin counsels clients on policies and procedures to limit the risk of data exposure events, including developing of data security policies, privacy disclosures, breach response plans, and associated training programs. He regularly advises clients on compliance with federal, state, and international privacy laws, including the EU GDPR. He also helps businesses respond to data breaches, including in rectifying and reporting those events, and in limiting their potential liability for such events.
Devin has earned the Certified Information Privacy Professional designation (CIPP/US) from the International Association of Privacy Professionals, which accredits lawyers and other professionals with knowledge of privacy best practices, information technology issues, and relevant U.S. and international laws.
When he is not working on data security matters, Devin's practice otherwise is focused on complex commercial litigation, with an emphasis on defending class action lawsuits. He has defended clients from class action claims in areas including civil rights, consumer protection law, and employment practices. Mr. Chwastyk litigates all manner of other commercial cases on behalf of organizations and individuals. He also maintains an extensive practice in constitutional law, representing municipalities and other government entities, legislators, and media companies with regard to civil rights, First Amendment, and other state and federal constitutional claims.
Since 2010, Devin has been recognized annually as a Pennsylvania "Rising Star" by Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters rating service, based on peer recognition and professional achievement. No more than 2.5% of attorneys practicing in the Commonwealth are selected as Rising Stars.
Devin has long been a supporter of free speech causes, and served for six years as the President of the Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. He remains a member of the board of that organization. Before joining McNees, he worked in Washington, D.C. for a First Amendment advocacy organization and for a public interest law firm.
Active in the community, Devin has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Dauphin County Bar Association, and presently serves as Chair of the organization's Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts program and Vice-Chair of its Equal Professional Opportunity Committee. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Bridges Society of the United Way of the Capital Region, the East Shore YMCA, and the Harrisburg Parks Foundation.
Education
- The Pennsylvania State University, B.A.
- Georgetown University Law Center, J.D. (cum laude)
Georgetown Journal of International Law - Certified Information Privacy Professional, CIPP/US
Court Admissions
- Pennsylvania Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court – Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Court – Middle District of Pennsylvania