Susan Rohol is a partner in Willkie’s Privacy, Cybersecurity & Data Strategy; AI & Emerging Technologies; and Investigations & Enforcement practice groups. She is based in Willkie’s Los Angeles and New York offices.
Susan’s practice is focused on advising clients on legal issues and regulations spanning technology, privacy, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, intellectual property, regulatory investigations and global government affairs.
Experience
Susan is a leading privacy and data strategy lawyer with experience in the communications and entertainment sectors and on Capitol Hill. Prior to joining Willkie, Susan served as Senior Vice President and Chief Privacy Officer for Warner Bros. Discovery, where she advised the company on all privacy, data, and technology issues, as well as its strategic approach to public policy issues. She helped build and manage a global team of 60+ legal, technology, and compliance professionals responsible for operations, data governance, brand engagement, data mapping and project management.
Earlier in her career, Susan served as Nike’s Global Director of Intellectual Property and Privacy Policy, where she managed an international team of policy professionals in the US, EU, and China and advised the company on intellectual property, cybersecurity, and privacy policy issues. Prior to that, she was senior counsel to Senators Al Franken (D-MN) and Russ Feingold (D-WI) on the Senate Judiciary Committee. During her time on Capitol Hill, she recommended the creation of the Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the Law and was the principal advisor to both Senators Franken and Feingold on telecommunications, antitrust, and intellectual property issues.
Earlier, she served as General Counsel for the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children in Washington, D.C. She began her legal career as a clerk for Justice Dana Fabe in the Alaska Supreme Court.
Susan also served as a Small Enterprise Development volunteer for the U.S. Peace Corps stationed in Senegal.
Earlier in her career, Susan served as Nike’s Global Director of Intellectual Property and Privacy Policy, where she managed an international team of policy professionals in the US, EU, and China and advised the company on intellectual property, cybersecurity, and privacy policy issues. Prior to that, she was senior counsel to Senators Al Franken (D-MN) and Russ Feingold (D-WI) on the Senate Judiciary Committee. During her time on Capitol Hill, she recommended the creation of the Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the Law and was the principal advisor to both Senators Franken and Feingold on telecommunications, antitrust, and intellectual property issues.
Earlier, she served as General Counsel for the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children in Washington, D.C. She began her legal career as a clerk for Justice Dana Fabe in the Alaska Supreme Court.
Susan also served as a Small Enterprise Development volunteer for the U.S. Peace Corps stationed in Senegal.
- Daily Journal, Top Artificial Intelligence Lawyers, 2024
- Legal 500 U.S., Recommended Lawyer, Media, Technology and Telecoms: Cyber Law (including Data Privacy and Data Protection), 2024
- Los Angeles Business Journal, Thriving in Their 40s, 2023
- Board member, Code the Dream, a non-profit building coding skills in diverse communities
- Voter Protection volunteer for the Democratic Party (2000-present)
- Former Board member to Classroom Law Project and high school mock trial coach
- Guest Lecturer, “The Duties of Doing Business with Data,” Corporation as a Citizen, Harvard Law School, 2020 and 2022
- Panelist, “The Children’s Privacy Landscape is Growing Up: How Companies Can Adapt to Evolving State and Federal Policies,” NAI Summit, May 15, 2024
- Panelist, “Television Advertising (Linear/Streaming/Cable - and the future of the TV business),” IAPP Global Privacy Summit, April 2, 2024
- Panelist, “Responsible AI: Navigating AI Governance, Ethics, and Risks in a Changing Regulatory World,” Investment Management Conference, March 20, 2024
- Guest Speaker, “Data Protection Breakfast Club: A 27 Hour Bus Ride to Nowhere,” April 6, 2023
- Panelist, “Clean Rooms,” SPOKES Privacy Technology Conference, Spring into Privacy, April 3, 2023
- Panelist, “Privacy Expanded,” CDO Club, IBM Chief Data and Technology Officer Summit Series, August 17, 2022
- Panelist, “Women in Privacy: How to Overcome Hurdles,” SPOKES Privacy Technology Conference, March 19, 2021
Credentials
Education
Harvard Law School, J.D., 2004 Georgetown University, B.S. (magna cum laude), 1998