Stanford Law School today announced the appointment of Albert Gidari as director of privacy at the Center for Internet and Society (CIS). Gidari will lead the center’s work on consumer privacy and data protection.

Gidari is a renowned privacy and data protection expert. He was a partner for 20 years at Perkins Coie LLP and a top-ranked privacy lawyer by Chambers USA. He has represented a broad range of companies, ranging from startups to giants of the Internet, on privacy, security, Internet, electronic surveillance and communications law matters. Gidari will lead the center’s research to inform policy related to consumer privacy and manage and develop its innovative and influential consumer privacy work. His breadth of experience will also inform and enhance the center’s ongoing civil liberties and intermediary liability work, which is led by Jennifer Granick and Daphne Keller, respectively.

“Privacy issues are pervasive, and rapidly changing technology and business models directly impact consumer privacy in novel ways,” said CIS Faculty Director and Professor of Law Barbara van Schewick. “New thinking is required to protect consumers’ personal information online, while ensuring a robust, transparent and free Internet. I’m delighted that Al Gidari has agreed to employ his vast experience and deep knowledge to lead our strategic thinking in this area.”

“For the last 20 years, I have worked with industry to identify privacy concerns and to find solutions that meet the needs of Internet users, regulators and businesses,” said Gidari. “New challenges require new and forward-looking solutions that are realistic and protect important individual rights, which is exactly the focus of the center. I am excited to have the opportunity to work in this new capacity.”