Global law firm Reed Smith announced today that Tyler Thompson has joined as a partner in its recently announced Emerging Technologies practice. Thompson advises clients on data privacy and protection, technology contracts, websites and mobile apps, digital accessibility, artificial intelligence, and data issues in the franchise space.
“Continuing to expand our privacy and technology offering is a strategic priority for our firm,” said Julie Hardin, Reed Smith’s Managing Partner Americas. “Tyler pairs his sophisticated practice with a deep commitment to client service; our clients will benefit from his unique skillset and market expertise in the technology space.”
With a practice focus in digital compliance, Thompson handles all aspects of a client’s website, platform, and mobile app to ensure compliance while maintaining the best user experience. Tyler also supports clients in creating enforceable digital agreements with platform users, whether that platform is a website, SaaS, mobile app, or video game. He also helps clients reduce website scraping risk.
Additionally, Thompson has designed and implemented privacy programs for clients from Fortune 500s to start ups, ensuring those clients are compliant with U.S. and international privacy laws. He also advises on data retention and minimization, privacy by design, data inventories, and privacy impact assessments.
“In announcing our Emerging Technologies practice earlier this year, we recognized that clients in this space demand counsel that deliver deep sector and technical experience. Tyler’s talent and technical savvy enhances our ability to serve our clients,” said Rob Newman, global chair of the Emerging Technologies practice. “Tyler has built an impressive practice as one of the leading lawyers on a wide range of digital issues. We are thrilled to have him join the firm.”
Thompson is accredited by the American Bar Association and the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) as a Privacy Law Specialist. He is also certified by the IAPP as an Artificial Intelligence Governance Professional, Fellow of Information Privacy, Certified Information Privacy Manager, Certified Information Privacy Technologist, and Certified Information Privacy Professional for the United States, Europe, Asia, and Canada. Thompson is also an ISACA Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer (CDPSE).
In the technology space, Thompson advises clients on artificial intelligence (including generative AI and LLMs), open-source software, digital marketing, software licensing, and SaaS agreements. He also works with clients to modernize commercial contracting processes and privacy practices, enabling in-house attorneys to function more efficiently and conserve resources.
“I was drawn to Reed Smith for its client-centric approach across its global platform, which is critical to supporting my clients as they navigate international regulatory regimes and different laws in areas such as data privacy, AI, and cybersecurity,” said Thompson. “I am also excited by the firm’s growth in tech-heavy markets that overlap with my clients’ needs.”
Reed Smith’s Emerging Technologies practice brings together more than 200 lawyers from around the world to offer a diverse spectrum of technology and data-related legal services. The firm’s robust technology practice handles compliance, counselling, disputes, class action defense, and technology and data-driven deals, covering crucial areas, such as artificial intelligence, data governance, digital and transformative technologies incident response, data privacy and security, disputes and investigations, and tech transactions and outsourcing.