Judy K. Branham

COUNSEL | MINNEAPOLIS

INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE:

Judy has over twenty years of experience handling information law issues and investigations, helping clients understand and mitigate digital risks, and solving complex legal and business problems. She focuses her practice on eDiscovery, information governance, data privacy and cybersecurity, and digital forensic matters. Judy has led investigations of and responses to complex data breaches, including ransomware, business email compromise, denial-of-service, and state-sponsored attacks. Her work in cybersecurity has included some of the nation’s largest breaches, and she is experienced at drafting responses to inquiries from regulators regarding incidents. Judy has also developed incident response plans for national clients and led tabletop exercises to help clients practice their response to a cyber security incident.

In addition to her skill in cybersecurity, Judy has advised companies in all areas of eDiscovery, including consulting clients on developing defensible preservation and information management policies. She has successfully handled motions to compel and negotiations with opposing counsel regarding the scope of discovery for complex litigation matters. Judy draws on her in-depth knowledge of how data is created, stored, and transferred to design effective discovery processes that leverage available technologies to create streamlined workflows.

Judy has also overseen complex digital forensic investigations into the theft of trade secret information and employee misconduct investigations. She is skilled at interpreting forensic evidence from laptops, mobile devices, and other digital forms. Judy can then translate complex technical evidence into language that the client can understand and utilize.

Some of Judy’s recent work experience includes:

Leading cybersecurity incident response teams in investigating data breaches and assisting with regulatory reporting
Designing incident response (“IR”) processes and plans and conducting tabletop exercises to test IR plans and responses
Advising clients on cybersecurity and privacy laws
Assisting clients with identifying and implementing eDiscovery solutions to ensure compliance with best practices and legal requirements
Managing the forensic examination of digital data, including mobile devices, in trade secret matters and employee misconduct investigations
Advising clients on complex eDiscovery issues, such as cross-border data transfer
Managing complex discovery workflows, including overseeing data preservation, collection, review, and production
Drafting and executing effective and efficient document review plans, including training reviewers, performing quality control within Relativity, and preparing defensibility memoranda for the court
Using advanced analytics to identify key issues, additional custodians, and communication patterns in a highly sensitive employment matter

Prior to joining Redgrave LLP, Judy served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel for Cadien Cyber Response. Her previous experience also includes roles at Stroz Friedberg LLP and Faegre Drinker Biddle Reath LLP, as well as in-house positions at 3M Company, where she earned 3M’s Pyramid of Excellence Award for her success in eDiscovery innovation.

ORGANIZATIONAL INVOLVEMENT, MEMBERSHIPS & CERTIFICATIONS:

Judy founded the Twin Cities Women in Law, Privacy, and Security Group (WiLPS) and co-founded the eDiscovery Corporate Forum, Twin Cities, Minnesota. She is also an active member of the Minnesota Bar Association, Executive Women’s Forum, and International Association of Privacy Professionals. She served as a board member for RECLAIM, St. Paul, Minnesota, from 2018-2022 and was a member of the Sedona Conference from 2008-2017. In 2022, Judy was a finalist for the Executive Women’s Forum (EWF) Women of Influence Award. She is a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US) and is a certified Six Sigma Green Belt.

EDUCATION:

Judy received her J.D. from Mitchell Hamline School of Law and her B.A., magna cum laude, from St. Cloud State University. Judy is admitted to practice in Minnesota.