Hintze is pleased to announce that eight of its lawyers have been recognized in the 2027 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America. This recognition spans the firm's core practice areas of artificial intelligence, privacy and data security, technology, information technology, and advertising law, reflecting the breadth of experience the firm brings to clients navigating complex legal and regulatory challenges.
Among this year’s honors, Mike Hintze, a Member Partner at Hintze Law PLLC and chair of the firm’s Health and Biotech Privacy Group, was named the 2027 "Lawyer of the Year" in Seattle for both Information Technology Law and Technology Law. The distinction is awarded to a single lawyer in each practice area and geographic market who receives the highest overall peer feedback. Mike was also recognized in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® for Artificial Intelligence Law, Information Technology Law, Privacy and Data Security Law, and Technology Law. A former Chief Privacy Counsel at Microsoft, Mike advises leading global companies on privacy, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and technology law matters and has been recognized by Best Lawyers since 2024.
The 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® recognizes Sam Castic, Susan L. Hintze, and Taylor Widawski. Sam, a Partner at Hintze Law, chair of the firm’s Retail Group, and co-chair of the Cybersecurity and Breach Response Group and FinTech + Financial Services Group, was recognized in Artificial Intelligence Law, Information Technology Law, Privacy and Data Security Law, and Technology Law. Drawing on experience from leadership roles at Blackhawk Network and Nordstrom, he advises clients on emerging technology, AI governance, privacy, and digital innovation. Susan, the Founder and Co-Managing Partner and co-chair of the firm’s Regulatory Defense Group and Kids + Teens Group, was recognized in Advertising Law, Information Technology Law, Privacy and Data Security Law, and Technology Law. She has spent more than 25 years advising organizations on complex privacy, data security, advertising, and technology matters and has been recognized as “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers® for Information Technology Law in Seattle for 2026. Taylor, a Partner at Hintze Law PLLC and co-chair of the firm’s Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Group and FinTech + Financial Services Privacy Group, was recognized in Privacy and Data Security Law and Technology Law and counsels clients on AI, privacy compliance, data governance, and technology-related legal issues. Before joining Hintze Law, Taylor was in-house privacy counsel at T-Mobile and Chime Financial and has been recognized by Best Lawyers since 2026, when she was included in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for Technology Law.
The firm's emerging leaders were also recognized in the 2027 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America. Emily Litka Sanford, Of Counsel at Hintze Law and co-chair of the Kids & Teens Group and a member of the Artifical Intelligence + Machine Learning Group, is recognized in Privacy and Data Security Law, advises organizations on privacy compliance, product counseling, and evolving regulatory requirements. Cameron Cantrell, also recognized in Privacy and Data Security Law, focuses her practice on privacy, cybersecurity, and regulatory counseling and has been recognized by Best Lawyers since 2026. Felicity Slater, likewise recognized in Privacy and Data Security Law, counsels clients on privacy and technology issues arising from the collection, use, and governance of personal data and has been recognized by Best Lawyers since 2026. Hansenard Piou was recognized for Privacy and Data Security Law and advises clients on privacy, data protection, and compliance matters across a range of industries. He has also been recognized by Best Lawyers since 2026.
Founded in 1981, Best Lawyers is among the legal profession's longest-standing and most respected peer-review publications. For more than four decades, its methodology has relied on confidential evaluations from lawyers assessing the professional abilities of their peers within the same practice areas and geographic markets. Recognition is based on a structured process that includes nomination, peer review, analysis of feedback, and verification of professional standing, and lawyers cannot pay to receive recognition. As a result, inclusion in Best Lawyers is widely regarded as a meaningful acknowledgment of professional excellence and the confidence of one's peers.
The firm congratulates Mike Hintze, Sam Castic, Susan L. Hintze, Taylor Widawski, Emily Litka Sanford, Cameron Cantrell, Felicity Slater, and Hansenard Piou on their inclusion in the 2027 editions of Best Lawyers. And we thank all of our peers for their generous support and time in recognizing our attorneys.
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Hintze Law PLLC is a Chambers-ranked and Legal 500-recognized, boutique law firm that provides counseling exclusively on AI, privacy, and data security. Hintze attorneys and data consultants support technology, ecommerce, advertising, media, retail, healthcare, and mobile companies, organizations, and industry associations in all aspects of AI, privacy, and data security.