Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP is pleased to announce that, effective today, Aaron Burstein is joining the firm as Partner. Mr. Burstein joins after almost three years at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) as a Senior Legal Advisor to former Commissioner Julie Brill, where he advised the Commissioner on matters involving privacy, data security, financial practices, and other consumer protection areas.

Prior to joining the FTC, Mr. Burstein was a Policy Advisor at the National Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA). In this capacity, he served as staff lead on data privacy policy development, regularly briefed NTIA and Commerce Department officials on privacy issues, developed NTIA positions on privacy legislation and Executive Branch policies, and represented NTIA in negotiations with other Federal agencies on privacy, cybersecurity, copyright, Internet governance, and other Internet policy issues. Mr. Burstein also served as the Director for Privacy and Civil Liberties for the National Security Council, where he advised senior White House officials on privacy and cybersecurity issues and helped formulate Administration positions on cybersecurity legislation.

Mr. Burstein previously served as an Honors Attorney in the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division, where he led reviews of proposed mergers, and worked in academia as a Research Fellow at the University of California, where he authored articles on privacy and security law. Mr. Burstein received a Bachelor of Science degree from Brown University, and MS and law degrees from University of California, Berkeley.

Bryan Tramont, Managing Partner of Wilkinson Barker Knauer, said, “In today’s connected world, companies are increasingly facing evolving and complex privacy issues. Aaron’s deep expertise in cybersecurity and privacy will be another great addition to our firm, and his experience and contacts at the FTC will deepen our consumer protection practice. Aaron’s character and work ethic also are a perfect fit for WBK, and he is sure to become a trusted advisor to our clients.” Mr. Burstein commented, “I was impressed by WBK’s reputation as a top-notch communications and technology firm, and was struck by how the attorneys genuinely care about their clients and each other. I am looking forward to serving the firm’s clients and being part of the WBK team.”

Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP, one of the largest law firms in the nation dedicated primarily to the practice of communications and energy law, is ranked as a “first tier” firm by Chambers USA (Telecom, Broadcast, and Satellite: Regulatory), and Legal 500 (Telecoms and broadcast: regulatory), and was twice named “Law Firm of the Year” in communications law by U.S. News – Best Lawyers (2012 & 2014). The firm, with offices in Washington, D.C. and Denver, Colorado, advises clients ranging from global Fortune 100 companies to small start-ups in regulatory, transactional, privacy, consumer protection, trademark, corporate and litigation matters involving all aspects of communications and energy law, at both the state and federal levels.