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Catherine North Hounfodji

Of Counsel

She/Her/Hers

Catherine North Hounfodji provides data security incident response and crisis management to clients in a range of industries and defends them in any resulting litigation or regulatory enforcement. Catherine also regularly counsels and defends clients in matters relating to privacy, cybersecurity, class actions, state consumer privacy laws (such as the California Consumer Privacy Act), consumer protection laws, retail operations, loyalty and gift card programs, unclaimed property, and commercial disputes.

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Global Privacy: Year in Review and a Look Forward

    Extended Profile

    Catherine’s experience includes advising on the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and other US state consumer privacy laws, the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), state data security laws, US federal and state CAN-SPAM laws, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rules, and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

    Catherine also maintains an active pro bono practice, which includes assisting immigrant clients with Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) matters and residency applications, election-related litigation, and expungements. 

    Before attending law school, Catherine spent 10 years working in the field of education, including five years working with the Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP) and three years teaching high school physics and chemistry as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Benin (in West Africa). Catherine is fluent in French and holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.

    Selected Representations

    • Managed multiple data security incidents, including determining and executing notification requirements, assisting clients with investigative and remedial actions, and defending clients in resulting regulatory investigations
    • Defended multiple retailers against wiretapping claims and lawsuits based on the California Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA), Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA), and TCPA
    • Assisted dozens of companies in preparing for the implementation of the amended CCPA and other US state consumer privacy laws 
    • Managed a large-scale tracking project and counseled an international grocery and ecommerce retailer on COVID-19 compliance across the North American supply chain
    • Counseled clients involved in unclaimed property/escheat audits and with voluntary disclosure agreements 
    • Advised retailers launching and operating ecommerce platforms and brick-and-mortar stores on applicable laws and regulations
    • Advised multiple national retail clients on laws and regulations relating to expanding operations, keeping up with single-use bag bans and related bag fees, and complying with packaging and bottle redemption laws and other relevant requirements
    • Prepared website privacy policies and terms and conditions for multiple regional, national, and international businesses
    • Defended consumer-facing companies in TCPA litigation, obtaining favorable settlements
    • Counseled clients regarding gift card programs with respect to escheatment, including the setup and maintenance of special-purpose gift card issuers
    • Advised multiple retailers and restaurants on the development and implementation of new loyalty programs

    Education

    • University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law, 2009, J.D., summa cum laude, Order of the Coif
    • Duke University, 1996, B.S.E., mechanical engineering, cum laude

    Admissions

    • Texas
    • Arizona
    • US District Court for the Southern District of Texas
    • US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
    • US District Court for the Northern District of Texas
    • US District Court for the Western District of Texas
    • US District Court for the District of Arizona

    Clerkships

    • Clerkship to Judge Virginia C. Kelly of the Arizona Court of Appeals, Division 2 (2011 - 2012)
    • Clerkship to Chief Judge Joseph W. Howard of the Arizona Court of Appeals, Division 2 (2009 - 2011)

    Awards and Affiliations

    Recipient,  President’s Award for Outstanding Service, Houston Bar Association (2021)

    Member, Houston Bar Association

    Member, Gender Fairness Committee, Houston Bar Association (co-chair, 2020–2021)

    Pro Bono Counsel, Tahirih Justice Center

    Arizona Law Review (2007–2009)

    Publications

    Events