Data breaches make headlines weekly. Ransomware attacks shut down operations. State attorneys general launch investigations. Class action lawsuits follow. For Texas businesses handling personal information, cybersecurity and data privacy are no longer IT concerns alone. The Texas Data Privacy and Security Act, effective July 2024, joins a growing patchwork of state privacy laws creating compliance obligations that require legal expertise to navigate. When breaches occur, Texas law requires notification to affected consumers and, for incidents affecting 250 or more Texans, mandatory reporting to the Attorney General within 30 days.
The regulatory environment continues to expand. Federal laws like HIPAA govern healthcare data. GLBA covers financial institutions. The FTC enforces privacy commitments through its deceptive practices authority. International operations trigger GDPR compliance. Industry standards like PCI DSS apply to payment card data. Each framework has different requirements for data collection, storage, security, breach notification, and consumer rights. Businesses need attorneys who understand both the legal obligations and the technical realities of cybersecurity to build compliant programs and respond effectively when incidents occur.
What Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Attorneys Handle
Compliance Program Development
Privacy laws require written policies, designated personnel, data inventories, consumer notice, opt-out mechanisms, and security safeguards. Attorneys help businesses understand which laws apply based on their operations, data types, and customer locations. They develop privacy policies, terms of service, consent mechanisms, and internal procedures that satisfy legal requirements while supporting business objectives. Ongoing compliance requires regular review as laws evolve and business practices change.
Data Breach Response
When breaches occur, response speed matters. Attorneys coordinate forensic investigations, assess notification obligations under applicable laws, draft consumer notices, and file required regulatory reports. They manage communications with law enforcement, regulators, and affected individuals. The Texas Attorney General’s office actively monitors breach reports and may investigate inadequate responses. Proper breach handling can limit regulatory penalties and reduce litigation exposure.
Vendor and Contract Management
Businesses share data with vendors, cloud providers, and partners who may create compliance obligations or breach risks. Data processing agreements, business associate agreements for HIPAA-covered data, and security requirements in vendor contracts all require careful drafting. Attorneys review vendor relationships, negotiate protective contract terms, and structure arrangements to comply with data transfer restrictions.
Privacy Litigation and Investigations
Data breaches generate class action lawsuits alleging negligence, breach of contract, and statutory violations. Regulatory investigations from the Texas Attorney General, FTC, HHS Office for Civil Rights, and other agencies require strategic response. Attorneys defend against claims, negotiate settlements, and represent businesses throughout investigation processes.
How to Choose a Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Attorney
Technical understanding. Effective privacy attorneys understand how data flows through systems, what security measures protect it, and how breaches occur. Look for attorneys who can communicate with your IT team and forensic investigators, not just legal counterparts.
Industry experience. Healthcare, financial services, retail, and technology companies face different regulatory requirements and practical challenges. Attorneys familiar with your industry understand applicable laws and common issues without extensive education.
Breach response experience. When incidents occur, you need attorneys who have managed similar situations, know the notification requirements, and can coordinate response efforts efficiently under pressure.
Certified credentials. The International Association of Privacy Professionals offers certifications including CIPP/US for U.S. privacy law. While not required, these credentials indicate focused expertise and ongoing education in the field.
Texas Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Attorneys
Kane Russell Coleman Logan PC
Location: Dallas and Houston, Texas
Website: https://www.krcl.com
Phone: 214-777-4200
KRCL’s data privacy practice advises clients on compliance with domestic and international data protection laws including the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act, GDPR, and UK GDPR. Attorneys assist with privacy policy development, consumer rights mechanisms, data protection impact assessments, and vendor management. The team handles data incident response and investigations, representing clients from initial breach through regulatory inquiries and litigation.
Practice Focus:
- Texas and multi-state privacy compliance
- GDPR and international data transfers
- Data breach response and notification
- Privacy program development
- M&A privacy due diligence
Chamberlain Hrdlicka
Location: Houston and San Antonio, Texas
Website: https://www.chamberlainlaw.com
Phone: 713-658-1818
Chamberlain Hrdlicka’s privacy and data security practice serves clients ranging from large corporations to emerging startups. The firm understands how data flows through systems and how companies implement technology, allowing attorneys to provide practical compliance advice. The practice handles breach response, regulatory investigations, cloud computing arrangements, mobile applications, and healthcare data privacy.
Practice Focus:
- Data breach prevention and response
- Healthcare data privacy and HIPAA
- Cloud computing and vendor agreements
- Mobile app and social media compliance
- Regulatory investigations
Germer PLLC
Location: Beaumont, Austin, and Houston, Texas
Website: https://www.germer.com
Phone: 409-654-6700
Germer attorneys have significant experience responding to and managing cybersecurity incidents throughout Texas. The practice routinely analyzes breaches affecting the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act, HIPAA, and other applicable laws. Attorneys have managed breach notifications affecting large populations and defended resulting litigation from individual claims to class actions. The firm is positioned to respond to investigations by the Texas Attorney General, HHS Office for Civil Rights, and other state and federal agencies.
Practice Focus:
- Breach response and notification
- HIPAA compliance and enforcement
- Regulatory investigations
- Privacy litigation defense
- Security incident management
Costs and Fees
Cybersecurity and data privacy legal fees vary by service type. Compliance program development may cost $15,000 to $75,000 depending on business complexity and regulatory requirements. Ongoing compliance monitoring arrangements typically run $2,500 to $10,000 monthly. Breach response work proceeds hourly at rates of $350 to $600, with initial incident assessment often costing $10,000 to $25,000; total breach response costs depend on incident scope and can range from $25,000 for small incidents to hundreds of thousands for large breaches requiring mass notification. Litigation defense varies based on claim complexity and exposure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act apply to my business?
The Texas Data Privacy and Security Act applies to businesses that conduct business in Texas, process personal data of Texas residents, and either have gross revenue exceeding $25 million, process data of 100,000 or more consumers annually, or derive over 50% of revenue from selling personal data while processing data of 25,000 or more consumers. Small businesses below these thresholds may still have obligations under other laws like HIPAA or industry-specific requirements.
What are my breach notification obligations in Texas?
Texas law requires notification to affected consumers as quickly as possible. If a breach affects 250 or more Texas residents, you must also notify the Texas Attorney General within 30 days of discovering the breach. Notification must include specific information about the breach and steps consumers can take to protect themselves. HIPAA, GLBA, and other laws may impose additional or different requirements.
Can I be sued for a data breach?
Yes. Data breach victims may bring negligence claims, breach of contract claims, and statutory claims under various consumer protection laws. Class action lawsuits are common following large breaches. The Texas Data Privacy and Security Act provides for enforcement by the Attorney General but does not create a private right of action. Other statutes and common law theories support private litigation.
Last Updated: January 2026
Disclaimer: This directory is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice, endorsement, or recommendation of any attorney or law firm. Information about attorneys and law firms was compiled from publicly available sources and may not be current or accurate. We make no representations or warranties about the qualifications, experience, or quality of any attorney listed. Fee estimates are approximations only and actual costs may vary significantly. Always verify attorney credentials with the State Bar of Texas, confirm current contact information, and conduct your own due diligence before hiring legal counsel. No attorney-client relationship is created by use of this directory.