Pronouns: she/her/hers
(206) 325-3277
Location: Seattle Office
Ro Friend
Ro Friend is a Partner at Hintze Law PLLC. Ro works on complex issues at the intersection of emerging technology, privacy, and data security, and has done so exclusively for the last 10 years. She advises internet, mobile, gaming, and technology companies on a variety of U.S. and international privacy, data security, and related technology transactions. Representative areas of expertise include privacy compliance, encryption, drafting and negotiating data transfer and data protection agreements, cloud computing strategy and compliance, mobile applications, online and mobile tracking, FTC inquiry and order compliance, Children's Online Privacy Protections Act (COPPA), EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), California Consumer Protection Act (CCPA), California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA), regulatory data security compliance, development of internal privacy and data security practices, data breach notice obligations, facial recognition, biometrics and surveillance, AI, AR/VR, drones, and legislative and regulatory policy.
Prior to joining Hintze Law in 2015, Ro was the Director of the Technology and Liberty Program at the ACLU of Washington, where she was responsible for driving policy work at the intersection of free speech, privacy, and developing technology through legislative development, litigation, and education. Ro was previously an associate at Cooley LLP in the Technology Transactions Group, where she advised start-ups and public companies alike on technology licensing and privacy issues. Prior to law school, Ro worked for internet companies in product development and test engineer roles.
Memberships & Leadership
International Association of Privacy Professionals
Privacy Advisory Committee Member to the City of Seattle
Former Board of Directors, ACLU of Washington (Governance Committee; Legal Committee)
Education
University of California, Berkeley School of Law, JD, 2012
University of Washington, BA, 2008
Bar Admissions
Washington
Certifications*
Certified Information Privacy Professional - United States (CIPP/US)
*The Supreme Court of Washington does not recognize certification and certification is not a requirement to practice law in the State of Washington.