Jonathan V. Gallo

Jonathan’s practice focuses on cybersecurity and data privacy, advising clients on data breach incident response, data privacy compliance, cybersecurity risks, and technology related issues. Drawing on his experience in both government and the private sector, he offers guidance on all aspects of data privacy and security, including cyber insurance and compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the Gramm-Leach Bliley Act, the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), unlawful computer use statutes, and state specific data privacy laws.

Government and Private Sector Clients

Prior to joining the firm, Jonathan was as an attorney with the New Hampshire Department of Justice where he helped develop the state’s strategic plan to address cybercrime.  Currently, Jonathan provides guidance on cybersecurity risk management to government entities as well as private clients in industries such as banking, health care, and manufacturing.

Technology and Cyber Compliance Experience

Jonathan drafts and negotiates a variety of technology-related contracts, including software development and implementation contracts, Software as a Service, Platform as a Service, and Infrastructure as a Service and represents clients in legal disputes involving all types of technology-related and technology licensing issues. Utilizing his unique background and experience, Jonathan helps clients understand the complexities of information technology contracts as well as cybersecurity requirements in federal government contracts and associated regulations such as the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations Supplement (DFARS) for Department of Defense (DoD) contractors. As a former director of contracts for a large state agency, Jonathan advises clients on a wide variety of government contracting issues at both the state and federal level, including contract disputes and issues related to cybersecurity, data rights, and intellectual property.

Trial Experience

Jonathan spent years as a criminal trial attorney, both as a prosecutor and a defense attorney. He was an adjunct instructor at the New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Academy, where he trained law enforcement officers on various subjects including expert testimony regarding computer forensics, criminal law, motor vehicle law, and constitutional issues involving search and seizure. He was also a strategic planning consultant for the national network of Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task forces. Jonathan has significant courtroom experience; he has conducted trials both before the bench and juries and has argued appellate cases before the New Hampshire Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in Boston.

Cannabis Law Knowledge

As an attorney with the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Jonathan was a member of the team responsible for the development and implementation of the State of New Hampshire’s first therapeutic cannabis program. That three-year effort included the development of the program model, program regulations, the dispensary applications process, selection of dispensaries, and the eventual licensing of four therapeutic cannabis dispensaries that were the first of their kind in the state. Jonathan brings this experience to his current practice, assisting businesses in these emerging industries state and federal compliance, contract negotiations, technology, and licensing issues.

Commitment to Education

Jonathan presently teaches business law online for Southern New Hampshire University and has taught college-level courses on constitutional law, criminal law, criminal procedure, white-collar crime, and critical thinking, and regularly presents on topics such as cybersecurity, cyber liability insurance, ethics, data privacy and security laws, and other technology-related issues.

Jonathan is originally from New Jersey and attended Rutgers University, where he received his undergraduate degree in Environmental Science and was a George H. Cook Scholar. He graduated from the University of New Hampshire Law School and lived in New Hampshire for more than 25 years before moving to Virginia.