Key players include Julie Brill (ex-FTC Commissioner 2011-2014, Microsoft Corporate Vice President for Global Privacy, Safety and Regulatory Affairs), Manatt Phelps & Phillips LLP (multidisciplinary law and consulting firm), Microsoft, and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC).[1][2] At Microsoft, Brill acted as "Tech Ambassador," leading advocacy on privacy, AI, digital safety, and regulatory compliance; previously at FTC, she enforced consumer privacy, data protection, financial fraud prevention, and competition in health care and tech markets.[2]
This hire builds on Manatt's expansion in AI and emerging tech, including recent additions like a data science director, former CDC director, and AI policy partner, amid rising demands for expertise in responsible AI and data stewardship.[2][4] It's newsworthy now due to the March 30 announcement during Boston's active legal hiring scene (e.g., Reed Smith, MoFo expansions) and timely relevance of Brill's skills to evolving regulations on AI, privacy, and consumer protection standards.[1][2][4]