A nationally recognized cybersecurity and trial lawyer, Kareem Salem has extensive experience trying civil and criminal litigation cases and leading cyber and national security investigations in concert with the DOJ, FBI and various public and private entities
Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, a multidisciplinary, integrated professional services firm, today announced the arrival of San Diego-based trial lawyer and Partner Kareem A. Salem to the Firm’s Trial, White Collar and Investigations practice. As a former federal prosecutor with significant experience overseeing largescale cyber investigations and prosecutions for the National Security and Cybercrimes Section of the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO), Salem helps clients navigate data security incidents and develop response plans, ensure privacy compliance, and prepare for post-incident regulatory defense and litigation.
“With deep roots in the region, Kareem is a wonderful addition to our growing San Diego office, which we recently unveiled following the arrival of former U.S. Attorney and office leader Randy S. Grossman,” said Donna L. Wilson, Manatt’s CEO and Managing Partner and co-leader of the Firm’s Privacy and Data Security practice. “While we have long operated in San Diego, we have been strategically building out our footprint to better serve our clients throughout the area, so Kareem’s arrival not only enhances our offerings across Southern California but also adds even more litigation and privacy and data security depth to our national, trial-ready bench, led by Partners Naeun Rim and Charles Weir.”
Salem’s practice focuses on privacy governance, digital risk advisory and cybersecurity, and privacy and digital risk class action and litigation. He leverages his vast litigation experience to proactively provide insightful advice on compliance for businesses in the retail, consumer services, entertainment, financial and manufacturing sectors, as well as across other compliance areas such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and Americans with Disabilities Act. He also helps clients address and respond to data security incidents and the resulting regulatory and litigation matters that follow by conducting security and risk assessments as well as developing prioritized privacy and cybersecurity strategies and programs.
"Kareem is an exceptional trial lawyer with sophisticated experience leading high-profile national security and cybersecurity matters in private practice and as a federal prosecutor," said Partner and San Diego Office Leader Randy Grossman. “He is an exciting addition to our elite team of litigation and data privacy professionals and will be instrumental in advising Manatt's clients on their most significant matters in Southern California and across the country."
Throughout his career, Salem has been deeply involved in the national cybersecurity sector and has a background counseling clients across a range of industries including technology, financial, gaming, defense and health care. As an Assistant United States Attorney at the USAO, Salem was directly involved in combatting cyber threats throughout California and across the nation. He advised and assisted a team of federal agents during incident response to ransomware, theft and data breaches; managed international cybercrime investigations with Europol, INTERPOL and foreign governments; oversaw highly sensitive national security investigations in conjunction with the U.S. Intelligence Community; directed investigations into theft of trade secrets and intellectual property; and supervised investigations into fraud, espionage and foreign corruption allegations.
“Having been regularly involved in San Diego’s legal community my entire career and working closely with Randy previously at the USAO, I couldn’t be more thrilled to join this firm and work alongside the rest of Manatt’s incredible legal and consulting professionals,” said Salem. “I look forward to collaborating with Randy and the team to continue building out our San Diego presence and assisting clients nationwide with complex litigation and incident response strategies.”
Salem joins the Firm’s expanding roster of legal and consulting professionals across the Firm’s core practices, including Litigation (Justin Wolosz, Randy S. Grossman and Dylan Carson); Health Care (Heide Bajnrauh, Axel Bernabe, Robert (Rob) Fraiman, Seth Frazier, Eric Gold, Paul Irving, Dr. Tracy Johnson, Lauren Polak, Thomas (Tom) Robertson, Lisa Sbrana and Mark Wietecha); Digital and Technology (Tim Andrews and Lisa W. Rosaya); and Entertainment (Binta Niambi Brown and Bill D'Angelo).
As a result of his impressive work in the space, Salem was awarded by the Director of the FBI for Outstanding Prosecutive Skills and Assistance to the FBI, as well as awarded Trial Attorney of the Year by the United States Attorney for the Southern District of California. He was also a recipient of the North San Diego Business Chamber Hero Award and named in San Diego Metro Magazine’s 40 Under 40 list.
Salem earned his J.D. from Notre Dame Law School and his B.A. from the University of California, Davis.