Venable LLP is pleased to announce that Erik Jones, former chief investigative counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; counsel to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform; and former Illinois Assistant Attorney General, has rejoined the firm as a partner in the eCommerce, Privacy, and Cybersecurity Practice in Washington, D.C. Mr. Jones worked at Venable from 2015 to 2017, when he led the firm’s Congressional Investigations Practice.

Emilio W. Cividanes, co-chair of the firm’s eCommerce, Privacy, and Cybersecurity Practice, said, “Erik’s senior roles and experience in both houses of Congress and at the state level provide an invaluable and well-informed perspective to our clients seeking to manage legal and regulatory risk on data privacy, consumer protection, and Congressional and state attorney general investigations. We’re thrilled that he has rejoined the firm and our team.”

Commenting on his return to Venable, Mr. Jones said, “I am more than excited to be rejoining Venable and reengaging with my former colleagues and friends. Venable is known to be at the forefront of privacy and data security matters. The Venable team brings to bear the significant experience and industry knowledge clients need under data privacy and security laws to maximize their business potential.”

Mr. Jones focuses his practice on issues at the intersection of law, technology, and government investigations. He counsels clients on data privacy, cybersecurity, consumer protection, advertising, e-commerce, and the regulatory implications of disruptive technologies. He has represented clients in investigations before congressional committees, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), state attorneys general, and the Department of Justice. Mr. Jones recently served as senior public interest counsel under Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan. In that role – his second stint at the attorney general’s office – he led the office’s investigation into clergy sexual abuse in Illinois. He previously served as director of the policy bureau and assistant attorney general. In addition to acting as Attorney General Madigan’s lead adviser on data security and privacy, he developed investigations and legislation on a range of privacy and technology issues, including patent trolls, payroll cards, and the effort to update Illinois law on data security for the first time in nearly a decade.

Mr. Jones’s experience in government began in Congress, where he served as deputy general counsel and chief investigative counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. He helped create the Committee's Office of Oversight and Investigations and later served as its lead counsel on cybersecurity matters. Prior to his work in the Senate, he was counsel to the House of Representatives Committees on Energy & Commerce and Oversight & Government Reform.

Venable LLP is an American Lawyer Global 100 law firm headquartered in Washington, DC that serves as primary counsel to a worldwide clientele of large and mid-sized organizations, nonprofits, high-net-worth entrepreneurs, and other individuals. With more than 850 professionals across the country, including in California, Delaware, Maryland, New York, Virginia, and Washington, DC, the firm strategically advances its clients' objectives in the U.S. and around the globe. Venable, which is celebrating its 120th anniversary, advises clients on a broad range of business and regulatory law, legislative affairs, complex litigation, and the full range of intellectual property disciplines. For more information, please visit https://www.venable.com/.