Leading with Deep Expertise

Phyllis B. Sumner is a Partner at King & Spalding, based in the Atlanta office. She is the firm's Chief Privacy Officer and leads the Data Privacy and Security practice. Her deep expertise is exemplified when advising corporate boards, senior executives, and other key decision makers on cybersecurity preparedness, emergency response, remediation, compliance, internal cybersecurity and privacy investigations, as well as investigations initiated by state and federal regulators, and data breach and privacy litigation defense.

Phyllis is highly regarded in the legal field and has received numerous accolades throughout her career, including recognition as a Top-Ranked Lawyer in Privacy and Data Security by Chambers USA. Her knowledge and expertise in ransomware incident response is particularly noteworthy, and she leads a top-notch team with unique capabilities and experience in data privacy and cybersecurity investigations and litigation defense. Additionally, various publications and organizations have named her a Distinguished Leader and an MVP in Cybersecurity and Privacy Law. Her impressive track record includes spending over eight years as a federal prosecutor, with significant achievements such as the prosecution of Olympic Park bomber Eric Rudolph and the trial and conviction of former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell.

Phyllis's commitment to excellence and contributions to the legal community make her a respected data privacy and security figure among her peers and colleagues. She identified privacy and data security as critical risks for companies before privacy was "cool" and "data breach" became a household phrase. As a pioneering leader, she pushed past the early skepticism that privacy and data security did not warrant a specialized practice group. Despite the doubters, Phyllis developed a specialty in the field and started the Data Privacy and Security practice at King & Spalding before most other law firms recognized the need for such practices.

In her leadership roles, Phyllis has been an inspiration to her peers by leading by example, investing significant time in mentoring, and demonstrating fearlessness in learning about and managing matters involving new technologies, regulations, and threats. She has been hailed for her unrelenting desire to serve clients, gain their confidence and trust, and teach them how to develop and implement strategic advice.

Success was not gifted to Phyllis but rather born from hard work and perseverance. "Thick skin and self-confidence were required to make it through a period of doubt that a data privacy and security practice would be successful," she says, advising all to "Find your inspiration, be brave and chart your path, but understand how you can provide value and align with your organization's growth, development and strategic goals."

For Phyllis, Larry Thompson, a Partner and leader at King & Spalding when she was a young developing lawyer, was an incredible mentor. Larry, as a Black man who grew up during the era of segregation, provided invaluable insight and guidance as she dealt with biased views and challenges as a young woman lawyer. "He helped me learn to cope with instances of being asked if I was ‘a real lawyer,’ assumptions that I was legal assistant, and requests to perform menial tasks because I was a young woman. He showed me how to demonstrate my knowledge and skills without being defensive or combative," she adds. "My advice to every young woman is, you can be powerful and control the room without sacrificing your own persona." Armed with this mindset, Phyllis is taking the firm’s Data Privacy and Security practice to new heights.

King & Spalding helps leading companies advance complex business interests in more than 160 countries. Working across a highly integrated platform of more than 1,300 lawyers in 23 offices globally, the firm delivers tailored commercial solutions through world-class offerings and an uncompromising approach to quality and service. Phyllis's role as leader of the Data Privacy and Security practice and Chief Privacy Officer is critical to the firm's mission to protect their client’s and firm data through cutting-edge privacy and data security practices. She is working on her goal to continue to mature the privacy program at King & Spalding and to grow the firm's Data Privacy and Security practice throughout the firm’s international footprint. It is critical to continue to develop strong leaders to ensure a successful succession plan.

For the days to come, Phyllis is continuing her leadership roles at King & Spalding and providing global strategic advice to clients facing significant data privacy and security incidents. "I currently advise executive leadership teams and boards on privacy and cybersecurity. I would like to serve on public boards at some point," says Phyllis. "The future looks great, and we are working towards achieving greater success in all aspects of our thriving practice."