What courses or other readings would you recommend for law students or new lawyers interested in privacy law?
- Anonymous
Privacy law (and privacy more generally) is a hot area, which is great for law students and new lawyers alike--you can really develop familiarity with the subject matter in tandem with more senior lawyers, even partners at law firms. If you're interested in learning more about privacy law, look to:
1. Privacy and tech courses. HLS didn't even offer privacy-specific courses when I attended, but I've heard from others that there are classes on data privacy nowadays! Definitely take those. If your school doesn't have them, I recommend tech law courses like intellectual property or telecommunications law, as you'll see hints of IP and telecomm in privacy laws and theory. There's also a noticeable overlap between privacy and reproductive rights, as privacy theories stem from the same cases as abortion, so if you're interested in a broader application of privacy case law, family law and classes about feminism and law offer really insightful tie-ins, as well. Lastly, courses about digital surveillance or national security will also pay homage to privacy, so those could be good to take. For new lawyers, there is an increasing number of CLEs about privacy, so take advantage of those whenever you see them!
2. Twitter and newsletters. Twitter, particularly if you follow privacy lawyers and privacy academics, is a great resource to keep up on privacy trends and thinking (a search for #privacy or #privacylaw can yield some starting points). I also like POLITICO's newsletters, and they have one about cybersecurity (Weekly Cybersecurity), one about national security (National Security Daily), and one about tech (Digital Future Daily). Cyberlaw research centers (like the Berkman Klein Center at Harvard) also have newsletters. When I was at the Firm, I liked the IAPP newsletters, as well, but they're unfortunately only available to members, so if your firm is a member, take advantage of that. For students, your law school might offer IAPP memberships to students, either themselves or through a student org (like the law and technology journal or cyberlaw clinic or similar). Students get discounted membership at $50, so it's something you could consider even if not paid by your school or a student org.
3. Student organizations and clinics. For law students, your time in school is the best and easiest time to gain experience in a practice area without the "locking in" effect that kicks into place when you actually begin practicing. Take advantage of that! Get involved in research centers, clinics, and student orgs that are related to law and technology--you will get inundated with opportunities and seminars and things to read that you won't even have time to do all of. I did the Cyberlaw Clinic and was on the Journal of Law & Technology during law school, and I can't tell you how helpful it was to have that track record of demonstrated interest and experience for me when I was trying to shift my practice more towards privacy.
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