Elizabeth V. Smith

Competent on data breach response, but communication was inconsistent

I engaged Elizabeth Smith at Perkins Coie after our small tech company experienced a significant data breach. Her credentials from The University of Michigan Law School and her recognition in Privacy and Data Security Law were major factors in our choice. During the engagement, her substantive knowledge was evident. She provided a solid, structured approach to our incident response, navigating the complex regulatory landscape with clear expertise in technology law, which aligns with her 11 years of experience. However, the experience was mixed. While the final work product was thorough, there were notable delays in communication. Responses to urgent emails sometimes took a full business day or more, which is stressful during a crisis. Our expectations for proactive updates weren't fully met, and at times, junior associates handled follow-ups without clear transition. She is undoubtedly a skilled attorney in her field, as her awards suggest, but the client service aspect felt just adequate. For straightforward, non-time-sensitive matters, I would recommend her for her legal acumen. For situations requiring constant, direct partner contact and rapid iteration, you might find the pace frustrating.