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Nicola Menaldo
Partner at Perkins Coie LLP
Professional Background
Nicola Menaldo is a highly skilled litigator and product counsel, bringing extensive experience in the technology and retail industries to the legal landscape. With a keen focus on class action litigation and appellate work, Nicola has distinguished herself as an expert in privacy and consumer protection law. She adeptly navigates the complexities of litigating cases that involve large-scale consumer issues, ensuring that her clients' interests are well-represented in court. Her litigation practice not only includes the rigorous demands of court appearances but also extends to advising clients on the intricacies of various privacy and data security challenges that arise within their business operations.
In her capacity as a privacy thought leader, Nicola provides comprehensive legal counsel on a multitude of topics. These include the essential regulations governing marketing practices and consumer outreach, compliance with both state and federal regulatory frameworks, and adherence to biometric laws as well as industry standards. Her expertise spans international borders as she helps clients remain compliant with increasingly stringent global privacy standards and laws. Nicola’s dedication to handling private and sensitive personal information with utmost integrity positions her as a trusted advisor in the ever-evolving landscape of data security.
Education and Achievements
Nicola Menaldo's educational journey is characterized by her exceptional academic accomplishments. She graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School, where she honed her legal acumen and developed a robust understanding of complex legal principles. Additionally, her undergraduate studies at Stanford University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English, provided her with strong analytical and communication skills essential for a successful legal career.
Her commitment to professional development is further exemplified by her participation in the 2014 Stanford-Hoover IP2 Institute, a prestigious program that focuses on the intersection of law, policy, and technology. This institute equipped her with the insights necessary to understand and navigate the increasingly complex intellectual property landscape that governs the technology sector.
Organizations
Throughout her career, Nicola has held influential roles within respected organizations. As a partner at Perkins Coie LLP, she leads the Privacy Litigation and Product Counseling practice, a position that underscores her expertise and commitment to client success. Her previous roles at Perkins Coie as an associate laid the groundwork for her current leadership position, allowing her to deepen her understanding of essential privacy legal frameworks.
Nicola's clerkship with the Honorable Ricardo S. Martinez at the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington provided her with invaluable experience in federal jurisprudence, enhancing her litigation skills and facilitating a comprehensive understanding of the judicial process. Early in her career, she gained substantial insights while working as an International Corporate Paralegal at Google Inc., where she handled complex legal issues and gained a unique perspective on corporate legal practices. Additionally, Nicola served as a Paralegal & Translator at Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, a role that allowed her to cultivate her legal translation skills while supporting high-stakes litigation efforts.
