Gene is a former regulator with two decades of experience who has overseen state cybersecurity regulation enforcement, led national, multistate attorneys general privacy investigations, and prosecuted computer crimes at the state and federal levels. He has served at the forefront of state attorney general and federal enforcement, and utilizes this experience to proficiently represent client interests.
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Gene is a member of the firm's Regulatory Investigations, Strategy + Enforcement (RISE) practice, based in the Richmond office. He brings extensive regulatory experience, having most recently served as senior assistant attorney general and chief of the Computer Crime Section in the Office of the Attorney General of Virginia, and as special assistant U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia for 20 years.
As a regulator, Gene has reviewed thousands of database breach incidents and investigated hundreds of cybersecurity, privacy, and consumer protection violations, including as part of multistate attorneys general teams. He has been a pillar in the charge for sweeping reforms to privacy and computer crime laws, having drafted and shepherded dozens of successful bills involving database breach notification, electronic records, identity theft, computer trespass, and child exploitation statutes, among others. In his supervisory capacities, he led the professional development of attorneys and computer forensic examiners, overseeing more than 1,000 prosecutions and computer forensic investigations for complex criminal cases in Virginia.
With an exemplary understanding of applying existing law to evolving cybersecurity and privacy problems, he guides clients navigating such issues and advises them at every stage of a matter.
Representative matters may include engagements before joining Troutman Pepper.
Regulatory Oversight
07.01.24
California Regulators Settle With Kids Gaming App
Regulatory Oversight
06.27.24
New York AG Sues $1B Crypto Firms Allegedly Engaged in Fraudulent Schemes
Regulatory Oversight
06.26.24
California AG Leads Multistate Effort to Support CFPB’s Registry for Corporate Offenders
Articles + Publications
2024
Dear Mary – Incidents + Investigations Cybersecurity Advice Column
Regulatory Oversight
06.20.24
Massachusetts AG Secures Landmark $4M Settlement Over Alleged Staffing Violations
Regulatory Oversight
06.20.24
NCAA Reaches Settlement Agreement in Multistate AG Antitrust Lawsuit