Benesch Adds Technology Transactions, Data Privacy, and Cybersecurity Partner in Chicago

Benesch welcomes partner Ryan Sulkin to the firm’s Innovations, Information Technology & Intellectual Property (3iP) Practice Group in Chicago.

Ryan’s practice resides squarely at the intersection of technology and data. He regularly advises clients with respect to complex technology transactions, including SaaS, cloud, software development, professional services, and outsourcing arrangements. He also provides risk-based and actionable legal counsel to clients on data privacy and cybersecurity matters across a wide range of data-rich, highly regulated industries, including financial services, payments, health care, higher education, retail, hospitality, and technology.

Ryan’s privacy and cybersecurity counseling often weaves in data management best practices in order to assist clients with building long-lasting internal governance structures for managing data throughout its entire lifecycle, with a focus on core issues such as ownership, licensing, data mapping, data subject rights, record retention, third party vendor management, training, access controls, and secure data destruction. In addition, for the entirety of his career, Ryan has supported clients through data breach response and data breach mitigation efforts, including preventative cybersecurity risk assessments and follow-on implementations. He brings a calm and measured approach to all cybersecurity situations.

Ryan’s matters are often multinational in nature and frequently involve emerging technologies, including fintech, Internet of Things (IoT), and connected medical devices. He is a trusted advisor to numerous well-known global consumer and business-to-business brands and invests the time necessary to learn the technologies, business processes, and goals of each of his clients in order to deliver tailored legal advice.  A former in-house attorney, Ryan brings a strategic, pragmatic, and business-minded approach that has earned trust and enduring loyalty from his clients.

“Ryan is a great addition to the tech-savvy and business-minded 3iP team,” said Gregg Eisenberg, Managing Partner and Executive Committee Member. “His focus on data privacy and technology transactions bolsters the already robust suite of services we offer clients looking to protect their own intellectual property, safeguard their customers’ data and leverage technology to grow their businesses.” 

Ryan graduated from Harvard Law School and summa cum laude from Northwestern University with a B.A. in Journalism. He was recognized as a “Next Generation Lawyer” by Legal 500 in 2018.

Ryan is one of 20 new attorneys to join Benesch so far this year. Since making its debut on the AmLaw 200 list in 2016, Benesch has advanced 27 places and is currently ranked at number 168.