Bobby Turnage is a business-minded attorney with more than 20 years of experience advising organizations dealing with technology and data-related matters, including cybersecurity, data security, technology contracts, privacy, and conducting business on the web. Bobby advises clients of all sizes, both public and private, from start-up to well-established, and across multiple industries.
Whether guiding clients through a data breach or negotiating technology-related contracts that drive growth, Bobby brings a practical, “here’s how we can get it done” approach to delivering legal services. Bobby joined Sands Anderson in 2019 and is the Cybersecurity and Technology Team Leader. As a lawyer and a former senior executive in the tech industry, he has the knowledge and skills to help you prepare for and navigate the legal risks associated with technology services and the use or handling of data.
Before joining Sands Anderson, Bobby was a partner at Venable LLP. Prior to that, he served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary for Network Solutions, LLC, a leading provider of web-based products and services for businesses and organizations. His other previous experience includes serving as Associate General Counsel for Verisign, Inc., a high-tech internet services company, and serving as a defense attorney and prosecutor in the U.S. Army Reserve JAG Corps. Bobby’s thorough experience as a lawyer and corporate executive gives him a unique perspective that is valued by his clients.
Outside of work, Bobby enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing the piano, and reading about prominent figures in history.
Professional Highlights
•Advised and guided clients through numerous data security incidents and data breaches involving the exfiltration, loss, theft and unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information such as consumer data, cardholder data and healthcare data.
•Advised clients concerning cybersecurity risk assessments and incident response planning.
•Drafted and negotiated complex technology-related contracts, including contracts pertaining to digital platform access and distribution, SaaS service offerings, digital audio/visual content distribution, software development, data analytics and data hosting, and website hosting and design.
Recognition
•Legal Elite, Intellectual Property/Information Technology, Virginia Business Magazine, 2019
•Legal 500 in categories of M&A: Middle-Market (sub-$500m) and Technology: Data Protection and Privacy, 2013 edition
•Meritorious Service Medal
•Army Commendation Medal (1OLC)
•Army Achievement Medal (1OLC)
•Leatherneck Dress Blues Award (USMC)
•Navy League Outstanding Marine Corps Recruit Award (USMC)
Publications
News by Bobby N. Turnage, Jr.
•Insurers & Producers in Virginia: Get Ready for New Data Security and Notification Requirements!
•New York’s New Data Security Requirements
•Changes are Coming to New York’s Data Breach Notification and Security Requirements
•Washington’s Data Breach Law is Changing - Expanding Definition of “Personal Information” and Adding New Notification Requirements
•Helpful Safeguards Information for Investment Advisers and Broker-Dealers - Straight From the Examiners!
•Virginia Caps Supplier Liability in Major IT Procurement Contracts
•NIST Guidance for Reducing Mobile Device Cybersecurity Risks
•Massachusetts to Require Credit Monitoring for Certain Data Breaches
News About Bobby N. Turnage, Jr.
•A Practical Security Reminder for the COVID-19 Outbreak - Not Just for Remote Workers!
•Forty Sands Anderson Lawyers Named to 2019 Virginia Business Legal Elite
•Bobby N. Turnage, Jr. Joins Sands Anderson
Favorite Book
•1776
by David McCullough
Speaking Engagements
• A Life as a Data Security, Privacy and Cybersecurity Lawyer
Data Privacy & Cybersecurity Legal Society, William & Mary Law School, February 2020
• Cybersecurity and Risk Management for Financial Professionals
Accounting Firm (Private Presentation), January 2020
• Incident Response Planning
Cybersecurity Work Group for Medical Facilities (Private Presentation), January 2020
• Cybersecurity and Cyber Risk Management for Financial Professionals
Commonwealth Association for Financial Professionals, November 14, 2019
• Privacy Protection & Cybersecurity - What You Need to Know to Protect Yourself in the Digital Age
Equity Concepts, November 7, 2019
•Cybersecurity Panel Discussion
Bank of America, October 31, 2019
• Executive Conversations: Cybersecurity - it's not just for IT Professionals
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business, October 16, 2019
• Cybersecurity - A Practical (non-technical!) Discussion of the Risks and How to Tackle Them
Richmond Bar Association, October 15, 2019
• Cybersecurity and Intellectual Property - Understanding and Managing the Risk
Law Firm Alliance, September 18, 2019
• Cybersecurity for Financial Professionals
Virginia Society for CPAs, July 2019
•“Cybersecurity and Non-Profit Organizations: Understanding and Managing the Risks”
Captains’ Table (Nonprofit Executive Directors), June 2019
•“Cybersecurity and Intellectual Property - Understanding and Managing the Risk”
Greater Richmond Intellectual Property Law Association, February 2019
•“Cybersecurity for Executives”
hosted by Baker Tilly, February 2018