James (Jim) Arnold is the Senior Counsel for Cybersecurity and Privacy at Norton Rose Fulbright, where he focuses on global cybersecurity and privacy compliance, as well as program development. With a career spanning nearly 35 years—10 years in-house and 25 in private practice and consulting—Jim brings unmatched insight into navigating cyber risks and regulatory complexities. He has led numerous data breach investigations involving advanced threats to critical infrastructure, offering clients practical guidance through even the most challenging incidents. Jim’s experience allows him to anticipate and address clients' needs, delivering proactive, trusted counsel that meets the highest standards.

Jim began his career as an internal auditor at Anheuser-Busch, before transitioning to the legal department spending a total of eight years there. This foundational experience led him to private practice, where he spent five years. Jim then served as General Counsel for XTRA Corporation before joining KPMG for 18 years, where he led forensic technology and cybersecurity teams. Now, as Senior Counsel for Cybersecurity and Privacy at Norton Rose Fulbright, Jim advises clients on managing cybersecurity risk from start to finish—providing strategic guidance on preparation, incident response, and regulatory compliance. With deep knowledge across multiple sectors, Jim helps clients navigate the evolving landscape of cybersecurity with confidence.

Jim offers strategic guidance across the full lifecycle of cybersecurity and privacy compliance and risk management. He helps clients proactively prepare for potential security incidents, ensuring they are optimally positioned to respond effectively when challenges arise. His counsel includes assessing and developing robust governance structures, designing, and refining incident response programs, and conducting tailored workshops and response exercises. These strategies equip companies to handle incidents with speed, efficiency, and legal compliance, all while minimizing risk and preserving valuable customer relationships.

When a security incident strikes, Jim steps in as a trusted "breach coach," collaborating closely with CISOs and Security Incident Response Teams (SIRTs) to lead the investigation, containment, and remediation efforts. His guidance extends to developing clear, strategic communications designed to maintain customer trust and reduce the risk of litigation and regulatory scrutiny. Following the incident, Jim also assists companies in navigating the aftermath, responding to state, federal, and international regulatory inquiries and investigations with precision and insight.

Jim has represented clients across a diverse array of industries, including critical infrastructure, energy, oil and gas, communications, retail, transportation, hospitality, life sciences and healthcare, insurance, financial services, technology, advertising and marketing, entertainment, and education. His experience across these sectors enables him to provide tailored guidance that meets the unique cybersecurity and privacy needs of each industry.

Jim leverages his experience to provide proactive counsel on the intricate regulatory landscape surrounding cybersecurity and privacy. He advises on the governance, data handling, and cross-border transfer issues critical to cybersecurity and privacy programs, with a focus on the complex requirements of data collection, use, maintenance, transfer, and sharing. Jim presents to boards of directors, guiding them on governance best practices and cybersecurity risk disclosure obligations. He also advises clients on compliance with a broad spectrum of state, federal, and international privacy, and security laws, including COPPA, GLBA, HIPAA, FCRA, ECPA, CPNI Rules, TCPA, as well as GDPR and NIS2 directives. His insights are particularly valuable for industries navigating technology, mobile, and online regulatory challenges.