Sumon Dantiki
Biography
Sumon Dantiki is co-chair of the Firm’s National Security Practice and a member of the Litigation and Government Enforcement Practice Group, based in the Firm's Washington, DC office. Sumon is widely recognized as a leading professional on issues involving security, technology and law. Sumon held several senior positions with the US Department of Justice (DOJ), including serving as Senior Counselor to the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). In this role, Sumon advised FBI leadership on the most sophisticated criminal, investigative and intelligence issues facing the US. This included assisting the FBI Director in his oversight of a broad range of intelligence and criminal investigations and responses as well as working with the National Security Council and other intelligence, law enforcement, and security agencies in responding to data breaches, insider threats, economic espionage, foreign investment risks, ransomware attacks, and other major security threats. He also served with the DOJ as Special Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for National Security and as a federal prosecutor in the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section.
Sumon previously served as adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center teaching a course about Cyber and National Security Threats and as a judicial clerk to the Honorable Kenneth M. Karas in the Southern District of New York and the Honorable José A. Cabranes on the Second Circuit US Court of Appeals.
Practice Focus
Sumon has led a variety of pathbreaking cyber, national security, and investigative matters in the private sector. He is a trusted strategist for sensitive, multi-dimensional investigations, disputes and transactional counseling, especially matters with cybersecurity, national security, and cross-border aspects. Sumon routinely advises multinational clients on preventing and resolving critical risks to their business interests, including data breaches, insider threats, transactional and compliance risks, ransomware attacks, whistleblower complaints, and complex fraud.
Representative Legal Matters
Prior to joining Baker McKenzie, Sumon handled the following matters:
- Served as lead outside counsel for an American multinational technology company in its pathbreaking investigation of, and litigation against, Russian cybercriminal botnet activity.
- Routinely served as outside counsel for cybersecurity reviews by internal audit function of major technology companies.
- Advised multiple significant investors on cyber and national security risks arising from US-China investments.
- Advised a private equity fund on data security matters in relation to the acquisition of a majority interest in solar energy company.
- Counseled a leading global company on response to cybersecurity incident arising from MOVEit security vulnerability.
- Conducted investigation of cyber intrusion by advanced persistent threat actor (APT) into the networks of a company in multiple critical infrastructure sectors.
- Counseled a Fortune 100 energy company on investigation and remediation of cybersecurity incident relating to government contract.
- Advised a major technology company on responses to insider threats involving “crown jewel” data.
- Advised a major chemical manufacturer on data security matters in connection with the divestiture of business.
- Co-led an independent investigation on behalf of the Board of Directors of Fortune 300 company into allegations of social media misuse by a C-suite company executive.
- Led a due diligence risk assessment of potential acquisition company providing cybersecurity solutions to critical infrastructure entities.
- Lead an internal investigation on behalf of Fortune 300 global company regarding insider threat risks and alleged whistleblower claims centered around senior executive with sensitive responsibilities.
- Represented an innovative energy company in trade secret theft investigation by departing senior executive.
- Led an internal investigation on behalf of hospitality company related to data theft by a terminated executive, as well as managing subsequent law enforcement engagement.
Admissions
- District of Columbia~United States (2010)
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit~United States
Education
- Yale Law School (JD) (2009)
- University of Michigan (BA) (2004)