Jonathan Croskrey (JD '21) Earns Key Privacy Industry Certification
Pepperdine Caruso Law third-year law student Jonathan Croskrey recently earned his Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US) certification, considered the gold standard for those in the privacy law profession. According to the International Association of Privacy Professionals, "A CIPP/US credential delivers higher earning potential and increased promotion opportunities because it shows you have a strong understanding of U.S. privacy laws and regulations." Jonathan earned his credential following the advice of Professor Gregory McNeal who specializes in legal and regulatory issues associated with emerging technologies.
Jonathan first became interested in data privacy when he stumbled across articles related to how social media companies collected and used consumers' personal information. "Once I realized that I could make a career out of data privacy, I quickly began looking for ways to educate myself and gain experience in this field," Jonathan explains. "I talked with as many privacy attorneys and privacy officers as I could and they all said that if I'm serious about a career in privacy, then I needed to earn the CIPP/US credential."
Privacy issues touch every aspect of legal practice. Whether an attorney is practicing
in the medical, financial, education, telecommunications, employment industries, and
so many more, he/she will encounter a privacy question. In the U.S., there isn't a
single comprehensive privacy law. Instead, it's a patchwork of federal, state, and
local privacy laws. There are also privacy regulations from the European Union, such
as the GDPR, and other outside countries that impact how U.S. companies manage data
flow and storage. The CIPP/US provides certified privacy professionals with the knowledge
and tools to understand and comply with this complicated web of privacy laws.
The CIPP/US credential offers Jonathan the flexibility to work at a private law firm
advising clients on compliance issues in many industries, and he can also work as
in-house counsel advising and building a compliance program while training employees
on privacy matters. Moreover, the credential allows him to work for a government agency
protecting citizens from companies who are not in compliance with privacy laws.
Jonathan currently serves as a clerk with the Office of the Los Angeles City Attorney's Consumer Protection Unit. With the Consumer Protection Unit, he researches companies that could potentially be violating unfair and deceptive acts and practices laws. This clerkship would not have been possible without the CIPP/US. Jonathan concludes, "I learned a tremendous amount while preparing for my CIPP/US credential, but now I am learning even more about privacy enforcement through my clerkship. All of this knowledge and experience prepared me to hit the ground running and immediately contribute to any law firm or other employer upon graduation."
For more information on privacy law courses at Caruso Law, please contact Professor Gregory McNeal.