Tara chairs Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP’s Privacy and Cybersecurity Team. Her practice is dedicated to counseling clients on privacy and data security issues across industries such as technology, retail, logistics, e-commerce, energy and critical infrastructure, healthcare / healthtech and life sciences. Tara became certified as a legal specialist in Privacy and Information Security Law by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization in 2018 as part of the inaugural class of specialists in this field. She is also recognized by the IAPP as a certified information privacy professional for both the U.S. (CIPP/US) and Europe (CIPP/E).

Tara helps clients with all aspects of privacy and data security law, including establishing and assessing compliance programs, responding to data breaches and security incidents, conducting risk analyses, drafting privacy policies, negotiating contracts that govern data use and security, and responding to regulator requests and investigations. Tara also conducts diligence activities and drafts related terms for mergers, acquisitions, and other transactions involving data assets. Tara provides guidance on matters related to the CCPA, CPRA, HIPAA, COPPA, CAN-SPAM, and other state and federal privacy, security and data breach laws in the U.S. She also advises clients on the GDPR and related requirements of European and UK data protection laws.

In addition, Tara has a broad range of experience counseling clients on issues related to the development of mobile and web-based applications, cloud computing, use of machine learning and AI tools, patient outreach programs, IoT devices, and other technology solutions and innovations.

Publications and Presentations

  • Presenter – "California Continues to Drive the Privacy Conversation," Orange County Bar Association's Corporate Counsel Section, April 9, 2024
  • Panelist – "Defend, Detect, and Defeat: Unraveling Cyber Threats in a Live Crisis Simulation," PRIA Winter Symposium, March 6, 2024
  • Panelist – "Cyber Attack Simulation Workshop," Womble Bond Dickinson and British American Business Council Carolinas, March 5, 2024
  • Panelist – "Data Breach Response Workshop – Staying Calm in Crisis," Womble Bond Dickinson, The Trust Bridge, and Kroll, February 28, 2024
  • Presenter – "Technology," 28th Annual Elder and Special Needs Law Symposium, North Carolina Bar Association, February 22, 2024
  • Panelist – "Data Privacy, Cybersecurity, AI and Breach Response," North Carolina Bar Association, February Finale CLE, February 21, 2024
  • "Getting Out of the Box (No Matter How We Got In),” Her Story: The Resilient Woman Lawyer's Guide to Conquering Obstacles, Book 2, January 12, 2024
  • Quoted in “Legal Tech's Milestones for Cybersecurity & Data Privacy in 2023" – Legaltech News, December 26, 2023
  • "Recognizing the Primacy of Artificial Intelligence in America: Biden’s Executive Order Sets a High Bar for Regulation and Innovation" – Womble Bond Dickinson Client Alert, November 10, 2023
  • Panelist – "Data Breach Response," Womble Bond Dickinson Workshop, November 1, 2023
  • Panelist – "Risk-Based Strategies for Using Online Tracking and Personalized Digital Advertising Amid Complaints, Demand Letters and Other Scrutiny," Womble Bond Dickinson CLE, October 24, 2023
  • Speaker – “The Power (and Potential Pitfalls) of Affinity Groups: Sharing Lessons Learned,” Driving Diversity in Law and Leadership Summit, Atlanta, September 13, 2023
  • "Delaware Becomes 12th US State to Enact Comprehensive Data Privacy Law" – Womble Bond Dickinson Client Alert, September 13, 2023
  • "SEC Adopts Final Rules to Enhance Cybersecurity Disclosure" – Womble Bond Dickinson Client Alert, July 31, 2023
  • Quoted in "Data Privacy Rights Expand as Colorado, Connecticut Laws Go Live" – Bloomberg Law, June 7, 2023
  • Panelist – "US Privacy Updates," PrivacyConnect Raleigh-Durham, May 10, 2023
  • Quoted in "Legal Tech's Predictions for Privacy in 2023" – Law.com, January 17, 2023
  • Quoted in "Are businesses ready for the coming Colorado Privacy Act?" – Denver Business Journal, January 3, 2023
  • Quoted in "Legal Tech's Milestones for Cybersecurity and Privacy in 2022" – Law.com, December 30, 2022
  • Presenter – "Agile Work Programs – The Good, the Bad and the Uncertain," Womble Bond Dickinson and Association of Corporate Counsel's Research Triangle Area Chapter, November 30, 2022
  • Panelist – "US State Privacy Laws," PrivacyConnect Raleigh-Durham, October 12, 2022
  • Panelist – "2022 State of US Data Privacy Law Compliance," Association of Corporate Counsel, Compliance and Ethics Network, September 20, 2022
  • Panelist – "Cybersecurity Post-COVID," Association for Corporate Growth – Piedmont Triad Network, September 22, 2022
  • Panelist – "Data Privacy and Cybersecurity," North Carolina Society of Health Care Attorneys, September 16, 2022
  • Panelist – "Data Protection & Privacy in Commerce (Corporations, Law Firms, & Startups)," Commonwealth Cyber Initiative Symposium hosted by William & Mary Law School's Center for Legal & Court Technology, June 17, 2022
  • Panelist – "Legal Aspects of Cybersecurity for Businesses," Technology Associates Webinar, May 18, 2022
  • Presenter – "Privacy and Data Compliance Challenges From All Angles: Practical Tips to Manage Risk," Change Can Happen Fast — Bring an Umbrella hosted by the North Carolina Bar Association's Health Law Section, April 22, 2022
  • Presenter – "Moving Targets While Under Fire – Aligning with New Data Laws While Hackers and Customers Bring Pressure," Womble Bond Dickinson's What the Tech? Virtual Summit, April 5, 2022
  • Quoted in "New Utah Privacy Law ‘Lighter’ than Predecessors” – Compliance Week, March 30, 2022
  • Presenter – “What I Wish I’d Known in Law School: Navigating Law School as a Diverse Student,” ¡Adelante! Moving Forward hosted by the North Carolina Bar Association’s Minorities in the Profession Committee, January 29, 2022
  • Panelist – "Employer Vaccine Mandates – The Good, The Bad and The Ugly," PrivacyConnect Raleigh-Durham, November 18, 2021
  • Panelist – “Mock Data Breach,” SolarWinds of Change and Other Challenges for the Privacy and Data Security Practitioner, NCBA Privacy and Information Security Law Section, October 28, 2021
  • Panelist – “GDPR Workshop for Transatlantic Data Transfers: Practical Tips for Privacy Pros,” PrivacyConnect Raleigh-Durham, October 5, 2021
  • "Colorado Passes Comprehensive Privacy Law – 4 Quick Takeaways" – Womble Bond Dickinson Client Alert, July 8, 2021
  • "Womble Bond Dickinson US Shares Best Practices for Workplace Inclusion" – World Trademark Review, June 17, 2021
  • Legal Guide to Starting a Business in the United States,” Womble Bond Dickinson Publication, May 26, 2021
  • Panelist – "Cybersecurity in 2021" – Wake Forest University Center for Private Business Webinar, April 8, 2021
  • Panelist – "Best Practices for Managing Cyber Risks in a Cyber World" – Womble Bond Dickinson's Everything from Everywhere Virtual Summit, January 29, 2021
  • "Strategies for Uncertain Times: Management and Legal Perspectives for the Specialty Chemical Industry" – Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates (SOCMA) Webinar, December 8, 2020
  • "Data Transfers Post-Schrems II: Practical Tips for Privacy Practitioners" – OneTrust PrivacyConnect Workshop, December 3, 2020
  • "Early Lessons from California’s Consumer Privacy Act" – 2020 Privacy & Data Security Section CLE, North Carolina Bar Association, September 17, 2020
  • "California Screamin’ – Privacy Rollercoaster Becoming Steeper for Businesses" – Womble Bond Dickinson Client Alert, June 25, 2020
  • Co-Presenter (with John S. Gambaccini and Theresa M. Sprain) – "Safe and Sound: Protecting Employee Privacy and Company Data in the Era of Coronavirus" – Association of Corporate Counsel’s National Capital Region Chapter, May 5, 2020
  • “COVID-19 and Your Business: Navigating Short-term Legal Challenges” – Association of Corporate Counsel, Compliance and Ethics Network, March 17, 2020
  • “Privacy and Data Security Laws for Business Lawyers: Legislative Developments and Best Practice for Compliance in an Evolving Landscape” – North Carolina Bar Association, Business Law Section Annual Meeting, February 14, 2020
  • CCPA Draft Regulations v2.0 and the Uncertainties Continue” – Womble Bond Dickinson Client Alert, February 13, 2020
  • Quoted in “Failing to Meet Cybersecurity Requirements Doesn’t Quash Vendor Relationship” – Legaltech News, January 15, 2020
  • “Getting It Right When It All Goes Wrong” – Association of Corporate Counsel Research Triangle Area Chapter, January 15, 2020
  • Quoted in “The Big Change Coming to Just About Every Website on New Year’s Day” – Slate, December 30, 2019
  • “Moving Targets: Best Practices to Operationalize Compliance Obligations Across Privacy & Data Security Laws” – Womble Bond Dickinson CLE, November 21, 2019
  • CCPA Compliance: Thorny Practical Questions” – Womble Bond Dickinson Client Alert, November 2019
  • New CCPA Changes/Clarifications; Some Final, Some Contingent (2 Months to Go)” – Womble Bond Dickinson Client Alert, October 24, 2019
  • Nevada: Hey, Don’t Forget About Me!” – HeyDataData – The Blog on information, Risk and Society, September 24, 2019 
  • “Hot Topics in Privacy & Security Compliance” – Association of Corporate Counsel, Compliance and Ethics Network, September 17, 2019
  • Health Sector Does Not Completely Avoid the CCPA by HIPAA Exemption” – Womble Bond Dickinson Client Alert, September 16, 2019
  • “50 Shades of Guest and IoT” – 14th Academic Medical Center Security & Privacy Conference, NC Healthcare and Communications Alliance, Inc., June 11-12, 2018
  • Panelist - “Minorities in the Profession - Diversity & Inclusion Symposium” – North Carolina Bar Association, May 18, 2018
  • “Privacy & Data Security Considerations – Protecting Data and Reducing Risk” – Elliott Davis Year End Update for CPAs, December 14, 2017
  • “Making the Move: Safe Harbor to the Privacy Shield” – Triangle Part Eleven and Electronic Stakeholders (PEERS) Monthly Meeting, September 22, 2016

Certifications

  • North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist, Privacy and Information Security Law, 2018-Present
  • International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), Certified Information Privacy Professional – Europe, 2012-Present
  • Regulatory Affairs Professional Society, Regulatory Affairs Certification – Global, 2012-Present 
  • IAPP, Certified Information Privacy Professional – US, 2011-Present 
  • Barnett Educational Services, Good Clinical Practices – Expert Certification, 2012

Honors and Awards

  • Selected to the North Carolina Rising Stars list by Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters) in Business/Corporate, Health Care, 2018 – 2020
  • Lawyers of Color Hotlist, 2013

Civic and Professional Activities

  • Tenth Judicial District Bar and Wake County Bar Association, Board of Directors
  • Arena for Data Protection Professionals, Advisory Board
  • OneTrust PrivacyConnect, Chapter Chair, Raleigh-Durham
  • Friends of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Board of Directors
  • Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Raleigh, Class 38, 2018-2019
  • North Carolina Technology Association, Board of Advisors, 2018-2019
  • North Carolina State Bar Association
    • Privacy and Data Security Section – Council Member and Membership Committee Co-Chair
    • Minorities in the Profession – Committee Member and Social Committee Chair 
  • Carolina Privacy Officials Network
  • American Bar Association, Health Law Section
  • International Association of Privacy Professionals
  • Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, Mentor
  • National Association of Asian American Professionals
  • Regulatory Affairs Professional Society
  • National Asian Pacific American Bar Association 

Profile insights