Cybersecurity and International Trade Lawyer Stephenie Gosnell Handler Joins Gibson Dunn in Washington, D.C.
Firm News | July 11, 2022
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP announced today that Stephenie Gosnell Handler has rejoined the firm as a partner and member of the International Trade and the Privacy, Cybersecurity and Data Innovation Practice Groups, based in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office. Handler rejoins the firm from McKinsey & Company, where she served as Director for Cybersecurity Strategy and Digital Acceleration.
“We are delighted to welcome Stephenie back to Gibson Dunn,” said Barbara L. Becker, Chair and Managing Partner of Gibson Dunn. “She brings to Gibson Dunn a wealth of knowledge on CFIUS, cybersecurity, technology, data, export controls, sanctions, and national security. Her extraordinary expertise across some of the most important issues of our time will be an invaluable asset to our clients and our firm.”
“Gibson Dunn’s International Trade Practice Group has grown substantially in recent years to meet demand from clients who are navigating increasing complexity in all corners of the globe,” added Judith A. Lee, Co-Chair of the International Trade Practice Group. “Stephenie will also expand our capability to support our M&A and private equity lawyers with CFIUS issues and other international trade compliance in M&A due diligence.”
“Stephenie is a terrific addition to the firm,” said Alexander Southwell, Co-Chair of the Privacy, Cybersecurity and Data Innovation Practice Group. “Her in-house experience leading an operational cybersecurity team focused on ‘seeing around the corner’ to anticipate and manage risk in the rapidly evolving cyber and tech landscape will complement our strengths in this area.”
“Returning to Gibson Dunn feels like coming full circle,” said Handler. “Cybersecurity and technology are increasingly converging with international trade and national security policy and regulatory regimes, and I’m excited to join my colleagues as we help clients navigate these complex and evolving areas. Gibson Dunn provides a strong platform and deep expertise to serve clients, and the collaborative, inquisitive culture drives toward delivering results for our clients.”
About Stephenie Gosnell Handler
Handler practices international trade and cybersecurity and technology law, with a focus on CFIUS, export controls, sanctions, national security, cybersecurity, data and technology issues. She has substantial experience advising on all aspects of national security reviews by CFIUS, including privacy and cybersecurity-related reviews and the implementation of mitigation agreements involving network security and IT infrastructure requirements for companies in industries relying on emerging technologies. She also has experience with export controls, including advising on the application of export control requirements to information security, which has included the development of ITAR-compliant IT systems, storage and transfer of data, and disclosures.
Before joining Gibson Dunn, Handler was Director for Cybersecurity Strategy and Digital Acceleration at McKinsey & Company, where she advised senior leadership on public policy and emerging trends relating to cybersecurity, technology, and data. In this role, she led a team of professionals responsible for McKinsey’s cybersecurity strategy, cyber standards and certification programs, lifecycle governance initiatives, data analytics and optimizations for cyber processes, digital acceleration efforts across the cyber domain, and cybersecurity strategic initiatives, including enhancing incident response capabilities and responding to geopolitical events. Before that, she served as Associate General Counsel at McKinsey and managed a global team of attorneys that advised on cybersecurity and technology risks and threats, incident response preparedness, vendor cyber risk management, and M&A due diligence.
Handler was an associate at Gibson Dunn from 2011 to 2015. Before joining McKinsey in 2019, she practiced with another international law firm, where she advised clients on both international trade and cybersecurity matters.
Handler graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2001 as a Distinguished Graduate and received her M.A. in National Security Studies from Georgetown University in 2001. From 2001 to 2008, Handler served in the U.S. Marine Corps. Following her service, Handler graduated in 2011 from Stanford Law School where she was co-editor-in-chief of the Stanford Journal of International Law.