Helen Goff Foster
Partner
Helen Foster, CIPP/US and CIPP/E, is a leader in privacy and cybersecurity compliance and consumer protection law, with more than 20 years of experience across four federal agencies, the White House, and in private law practice in Washington, D.C. Her unique perspective provides clients with the knowledge-base of a former regulator, the business know-how of an experienced corporate advocate, and the practical expertise gained through implementing privacy and data security measures across large, multifaceted organizations.
Helen uses her diverse experience to help clients integrate myriad privacy and cybersecurity requirements originating in federal, state, and international law, as well as industry-specific and self-regulation regimes. She counsels large financial institutions, communications providers, and technology companies, as well as small retail and hospitality operators, toward a common aim: to leverage data and technology to grow their business. She also is a passionate and effective advocate for her clients before government agencies, in rulemaking proceedings, and in responding to investigations and audits.
Practice Highlights
Financial privacy and FinTech
Technology-forward privacy and cybersecurity counseling
Insight from the agency/regulators point of view
Admitted to Practice
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District of Columbia
Education
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J.D., Georgetown University Law Center
- Dean's Certificate
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B.A., Business Administration, Villanova University
- Margaret Powell Esmonde Essay Award
Memberships & Affiliations
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- District of Columbia Bar Association
- Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), EC Council
- Certified International Privacy Professional (CIPP/US), International Association of Privacy Professionals
Professional Recognition
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- Fed100 "Transparency Czar," Federal Week Magazine, March 2015
- Nominated for a "Service to America Medal," January 2015
Background
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- Executive Lead for Reorganization and Change Management, Office of Financial Research, U.S. Department of the Treasury, Washington, D.C., 2018
- Chief Privacy Officer and Chief FOIA Officer; Chief Administrative Officer and Executive Secretary, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Washington, D.C., 2016-2018
- Deputy Assistant Secretary for Privacy, Transparency, and Records, U.S. Department of the Treasury, Washington, D.C., 2013-2016
- Director for Privacy and Civil Liberties, National Security Council, The White House, Washington, D.C., 2012-2013
- Senior Director, Privacy Policy, Information Sharing, and Intelligence, Privacy Office, Department of Homeland Security, Washington, D.C., 2009-2013
- Counsel, Banking and Consumer Financial Services, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP, Washington, D.C, 2007-2009
- Counsel, Financial Institutions Group, Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP, Washington, D.C., 2004-2007
- Senior Attorney, Division of Financial Practices, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, D.C., 1998-2002, 2003-2004
- Associate, Privacy, Consumer Protection, and Lending, Bryan Cave LLP, Washington, D.C., 2002-2003
- Litigation Associate, Bogin and Eig PC, Washington, D.C., 1996-1998
- Law Clerk, Bogin and Eig PC, Washington, D.C., 1995-1996