Skip to content

In this article, we discuss today’s most prevalent types of ransomware attacks, considerations for whether to make the ransom payment, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control’s (OFAC) ransomware guidance, and the U.S. government’s efforts in connection with these attacks.

Click here to read the full article, published by Cybersecurity Law Report May 25.

This topic also was the subject of an April 6 presentation. Click here to access the presentation.

Print:
Email this postTweet this postLike this postShare this post on LinkedIn
Photo of Jena M. Valdetero Jena M. Valdetero

Jena M. Valdetero serves as Co-Chair of the firm’s U.S. Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Practice, and is a trusted advisor to clients facing complex and high-stakes data privacy and security challenges. With a track record of leading thousands of data breach investigations for…

Jena M. Valdetero serves as Co-Chair of the firm’s U.S. Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Practice, and is a trusted advisor to clients facing complex and high-stakes data privacy and security challenges. With a track record of leading thousands of data breach investigations for more than 20 years, Jena combines her broad litigation experience with a deep understanding of the evolving privacy landscape to protect her clients’ interests. She is highly skilled in defending companies in privacy and data breach litigation, particularly class actions, and is proactive in helping clients prepare for incidents by designing and facilitating customized tabletop exercises.

Jena offers practical, results-driven counsel on data privacy and security compliance programs and guides clients through privacy and cyber risk considerations in mergers, acquisitions, venture capital, and securities transactions. Her experience spans a wide range of privacy laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), the Gramm Leach Bliley Act (GLBA), and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Certified as a privacy professional through the International Association of Privacy Professionals (CIPP/US),  Jena provides clients with actionable insights on both current and emerging privacy regulations. She previously served as KnowledgeNet Co-Chair for the International Association of Privacy Professionals, further reflecting her leadership in the field. Jena is a founding board member of the Chicago Compassion Project, a nonprofit supporting low-income families in Chicago.

Jena has been recognized by Chambers USA as a leading privacy and data security lawyer, with clients praising her “very deep knowledge of subject matter” and calling her “extremely responsive and business-minded.” She is trusted for her “great strategic advice” and practical approach to complex data privacy issues, with one client saying, “I’d unequivocally recommend her to anybody with any kind of privacy or data breach concerns.”

Photo of Kara M. Bombach Kara M. Bombach

Kara Bombach assists companies and organizations to lawfully export goods, technology and services around the globe. She places emphasis on helping clients achieve practical, workable solutions to complex regulatory situations arising under anti-corruption and anti-bribery measures (U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and

Kara Bombach assists companies and organizations to lawfully export goods, technology and services around the globe. She places emphasis on helping clients achieve practical, workable solutions to complex regulatory situations arising under anti-corruption and anti-bribery measures (U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and OECD Convention), export control laws (EAR and ITAR), anti-boycott laws, and special sanctions (embargoes) maintained by the U.S. government (OFAC and other agencies) against various countries (including Iran, Cuba and Russia), entities and individuals. In cases of foreign investment in the United States, Kara advises on the Exon-Florio provisions relating to U.S. national security concerns. She represents companies before the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), and also assists clients in mitigating foreign ownership, control or influence (FOCI) as may be required by CFIUS or U.S. national industrial security regulations.

Kara regularly represents clients in matters before U.S. government agencies, including the U.S. Departments of Commerce, State, Treasury and Defense. Kara has significant experience representing individuals and entities before OFAC in delisting matters and challenges to OFAC sanctions designations.

She advises national and multi-national companies (including Fortune® 5) on best practices in the development and delivery of compliance policies and procedures, training, and risk assessments, as well as executing cross-border export, sanctions and anti-corruption due diligence in mergers and acquisitions, targeted internal risk assessments, and compliance investigations.

Kara also counsels international not-for-profit and relief/aid organizations on best practices in economic sanctions, trade, and anti-corruption compliance issues that arise in their global operations, frequently in challenging and austere environments. She has provided legal services to organizations such as Save the Children (US), ONE Campaign, Mercy Corps, the International Committee of the Red Cross, Not on Our Watch/The Sentry, and The Enough Project.

Photo of Kyle R. Freeny Kyle R. Freeny

Kyle R. Freeny, a skilled trial attorney and former federal prosecutor for the Special Counsel’s Office and the Department of Justice’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS), draws on more than a dozen years of high-profile experience in the federal government to

Kyle R. Freeny, a skilled trial attorney and former federal prosecutor for the Special Counsel’s Office and the Department of Justice’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS), draws on more than a dozen years of high-profile experience in the federal government to help clients navigate sensitive government and internal investigations, criminal and civil enforcement matters, and related complex litigation. She has particular experience in matters involving complex financial crime, cross-border investigations, anti-money laundering, anti-corruption, economic sanctions, asset forfeiture, and affirmative challenges to federal agency action.

While at the Department of Justice, Kyle also played a key role in major international money laundering and corruption matters, including important matters involving the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). Kyle also has considerable experience handling sensitive and complex cross-border issues in transnational financial cases, and she was responsible for the largest civil asset forfeiture recovery in DOJ history.

Kyle uses this deep experience in federal law enforcement to counsel clients facing scrutiny from DOJ, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), and other law enforcement and financial regulatory agencies. Kyle conducts internal investigations on a range of issues and advises clients on a wide array of anti-money laundering, anti-corruption, and other compliance issues.

Kyle also helps clients develop and litigate challenges to federal regulations, policies, and agency decisions across a range of industries, drawing on her years of prior experience at DOJ representing a cross-section of federal agencies —from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to the Department of Energy to the Department of State and various intelligence agencies—in high-profile litigation. She has appeared before federal trial courts across the country.

About Greenberg Traurig

Greenberg Traurig, LLP has more than 3,200 lawyers across 51 locations in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia. The firm’s broad geographic and practice range enables the delivery of innovative and strategic legal services across borders and industries. Recognized as a 2025 BTI “Best of the Best Recommended Law Firm” by general counsel for trust and relationship management, Greenberg Traurig is consistently ranked among the top firms on the Am Law Global 100, NLJ 500, and Law360 400. Greenberg Traurig is also known for its philanthropic giving, culture, innovation, and pro bono work. Web: www.gtlaw.com.

Law blog design & platform by LexBlog