Practices

• Data, Digital Assets & Technology
  • Data Security & Privacy

Biography

Mason is a Partner in the Data, Digital Assets &Technology (DDAT) Practice Group, specific to the Data Security & Privacy service team. With over fifteen years of experience as a lawyer and policy advocate in Washington, DC, she provides real world and actionable advice on privacy and data security matters, including legal compliance, policy and program development, and other issues at the intersection of privacy, security, and technology. As a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US) by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), Mason has unique insight into the policymaking process and provides guidance that is practical, accomplishes the client’s objectives, and that can be easily implemented.

Prior to joining Frost Brown Todd, Mason served as the Chief Privacy Officer to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), where she advised the Secretary of DHS, Deputy Secretary of DHS, heads of DHS agencies, and the National Security Council on privacy implications for national security and law enforcement initiatives. In this role, Mason developed and implemented policies and programs on the use of new and emerging technologies and personal data, including the use of artificial intelligence, commercial data, social media information, and privacy enhancing technologies in a transparent manner while enabling innovation and time sensitive operational needs, all while ensuring compliance with federal privacy law, policies, and guidance. Mason was also responsible for managing and remediating data privacy breaches and cybersecurity incidents involving personal data and oversaw DHS’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) policy, program, and training.

Prior to joining DHS, Mason held a variety of roles at the U.S. Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB), an independent agency with a mission to ensure that efforts to prevent terrorism are balanced with privacy and civil liberties. During her tenure, Mason’s roles in the agency included Attorney-Advisor, Counselor to Board Member Ed Felten, and Acting Executive Director. She also served on a detail to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Office of the General Counsel, handling Freedom of Information Act and other civil litigation matters.

Mason’s legal expertise extends beyond the public sector. She served as National Security and Privacy Counsel at the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Rule of Law Counsel at the Constitution Project, and Research Associate at the Yale Law School Lowenstein International Human Rights Clinic, National Litigation Project.

Mason’s deep knowledge of privacy law, combined with her experience in both advising government leaders and managing privacy programs, enables her to provide clients with informed, forward-thinking strategies to meet regulatory requirements and mitigate privacy risks.