Skadden is pleased to announce that Joshua M. Silverstein has joined the firm’s Washington, D.C. office as a counsel in its Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Practice and its National Security Group. Prior to joining Skadden, Mr. Silverstein was a senior counselor and policy adviser at the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). He will leverage his extensive problem-solving experience in the public and private sectors to help clients navigate complex and high-profile cybersecurity, data privacy and national security challenges.
Mr. Silverstein has guided large multinational enterprises through cross-jurisdictional data breaches, significant ransomware and data extortion attacks, and national security and white collar criminal investigations. He also has worked closely with clients across economic sectors to establish processes, train personnel, and implement technological and operational solutions to avoid and mitigate the harm arising from cybersecurity and data privacy incidents. Mr. Silverstein develops tailored cybersecurity, data privacy, incident response, vulnerability management, operational risk management and insider threat programs for clients facing a wide array of threats and security risks. In addition, he is regularly consulted on a wide range of public policy issues, including encryption, public-private cybersecurity cooperation, critical infrastructure cybersecurity, cybersecurity norms and international law, and surveillance and intelligence activities.
While at CISA, Mr. Silverstein was responsible for developing and coordinating critical infrastructure cybersecurity policy across the agency, the federal government and the White House National Security Council. He provided strategic guidance and policy advice on various cybersecurity challenges, including ransomware, incident reporting and response, regulatory and legislative actions, the inaugural Cybersecurity Performance Goals, vulnerability management and disclosure, and operational collaboration with the private sector. Notably, he created and oversaw the implementation of a first-of-its-kind coordination and reporting structure for agency response to specific nation-state cyber threats. He also supported the development of the regulation implementing the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act of 2022 (CIRCIA) — landmark legislation that will facilitate a cross-sectoral critical infrastructure incident reporting regime.
“Joshua is a highly respected cybersecurity lawyer with significant experience both in government and private practice. He will be a terrific resource for our clients addressing their most pressing cybersecurity and national security challenges,” said David Simon, co-head of Skadden’s Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Practice.
“Joshua’s knowledge and skill will complement and enhance our capabilities in these critical and rapidly evolving areas, and will enhance the service we provide to our clients,” said William Ridgway, co-head of Skadden’s Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Practice.
“I look forward to working alongside such highly skilled attorneys and helping to spearhead Skadden’s continued expansion and enhancement of its cybersecurity and privacy capabilities,” said Mr. Silverstein. “Skadden’s platform positions us well to successfully guide clients through evolving regulatory oversight, advancing adversary capabilities and geopolitical headwinds.”
Previously, Mr. Silverstein also worked at another global law firm and, earlier in his career, as a special assistant to the assistant attorney general for national security at the U.S. Department of Justice. Additionally, he served on a pro bono basis as deputy chief counsel to the U.S. Cyberspace Solarium Commission, a high-profile, bipartisan commission established by Congress to develop a strategy to defend the U.S., including the private sector, from cyberattacks. Mr. Silverstein earned his B.A. from Yale College, M.Phil. from the University of Cambridge — where he was a Gates Cambridge scholar — and J.D. from Yale Law School.