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Overview
William Furnish has become a rising star in business litigation, lending his knowledge on cybersecurity, privacy and data security matters to businesses across a varied set of industries. As a litigator, William focuses on professional liability, complex commercial litigation, and privacy and data security matters. He excels at the intellectual, ethical challenges that arise between data privacy and attorney ethical violations and has established himself as a thought-leader in the ethical overlay between attorney privilege and data privacy and ethics violations.
Of his most recent accomplishments, William provided counsel to the Arizona Attorney General in groundbreaking litigation regarding a law that allowed automobile dealers to access essential and sensitive customer data. He has extended his knowledge on ethics violations to a varied set of industries, including accountants, attorneys, healthcare professionals dealing with nuanced questions surrounding malpractice, securities and privacy.
Prior to joining Osborn Maledon, William was a litigation and trial associate with a firm in New York, where he advised and represented Big Four accounting firms, pharmaceutical manufacturers and other institutional clients in connection with securities, professional liability, intellectual property and commercial litigation. A skilled writer and presenter, William has written articles for a number of publications and spoken on data breaches and cybersecurity.
William has also dedicated a significant portion of his professional life to volunteer service, including spending two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Republic of Armenia, serving as President of the Phoenix Public Library Foundation, and providing pro bono representation to asylum seekers and homeless youth.
Awards
- Arizona State Bar Foundation, “Top 50 Pro Bono Attorney”, 2023
- Best Lawyers®, Commercial Litigation, 2023-2025
- Best Lawyers®, “Ones to Watch”, 2021
- Southwest Super Lawyers, “Rising Star”, Business Litigation, 2020
Activities
Professional Activities
- Arizona Commission on Judicial Performance Review, Conference Team Member (2024)
- American Bar Association, Science & Technology Law Section
- Arizona State Bar, Fee Arbitration Advisory Committee (2018-Present)
- Federal Bar Association, District of Arizona Chapter Board Member (2019-Present)
- International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP)
- TAGLaw, Intellectual Property, Information Technology & Cybersecurity Group
Community Activities
- Phoenix Public Library Foundation, Board Member (2018-2025), Finance Committee Member (2018-2025), Board President (2022-2024)
- Dartmouth Alumni Admissions Ambassador
- Latham Alumni Network
- AZ Technology Council
- Phoenix Symphony Young Professional Board, 2017-2019
- Peace Corps, 2004-2006
Professional Certifications
- Certified Information Privacy Professional / US – IAPP
Insights
Articles and Book Chapters
- Table of Experts: Cybersecurity, Phoenix Business Journal, November 2023
- Working with Data Security Experts Before and After a Breach, Arizona Attorney Magazine, February 2022
- How do Businesses and Employees Protect Themselves from Cyberthreats?
Table of Experts published by Phoenix Business Journal - Companies must remain vigilant to comply with new laws governing data breaches
Published by Phoenix Business Journal - Domestic Privacy Profile: Arizona
Published by Bloomberg Law: Privacy & Data Security, Last updated May 2019 - A Primer on Document Retention and Disclosure Requirements for In-House Counsel
2017-2018 Arizona In-House Counsel Guide, Association of Corporate Counsel, November 2017 - Co-Author with Christopher Harris, “Legal Privilege and Related Issues in Insolvency and Restructuring Matters,” The Review Of Banking & Financial Services (March 2014)
- Contributing Editor, “Section 11 of the Securities Act,” Federal Securities Litigation: A Deskbook For The Practitioner, Data Trace Publishing (3rd Ed. 2014)
Presentations
- “Dropping the Ball on Conflict Waivers and Documentation,” NBI (December 30, 2024) – (available at https://nbi-sems.com/products/99504)
- “Ethics for Legal Services,” William E. Morris Institute for Justice – Continuing Legal Education Series (November 30, 2024)
- “Civil Litigation Panel Volunteer Training – Ethics,” U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona (June 6, 2024)
- “Compliance with (Mostly) International Data Privacy Rules,” Arizona Association of Corporate Counsel (April 16, 2024)
- “Legal Ethics and Data Security,” Sandra Day O’Connor Inn of Court (March 19, 2024)
- “Cybersecurity and the Construction Law Industry,” Arizona State Bar – Construction Law Section (March 12, 2024) (available at https://azbar.ce21.com/item/cybersecurity-construction-industry-624225)
- “Ethics and Data Security,” Maricopa County Bar Association, Paralegal Division (February 21, 2024)
- “Cybersecurity Issues Confronting Schools,” Arizona School Association Principal & the Law Conference (September 21, 2023)
- “Ethical Billing Practices,” Maricopa County Bar Association, Paralegal Division (March 16, 2022)
- “The Ethics of Working Remotely,” Arizona Association of Corporate Counsel (June 25, 2021)
- “Ethics & Technology: Understand Your Duties When Using Tech Resources,” Arizona ACC Chapter (July 22, 2020)
- “The Ethical Implications of Data Privacy for Legal Professionals,” Maricopa County Bar Association, Paralegal Division (November 8, 2019)
- “Cybersecurity and Safeguarding Client Property and Confidences,” Maricopa County Bar Association (June 21, 2019)
- Phoenix Business Journal Cybersecurity Forum (March 14, 2019)
- “Cybersecurity and Trade Secret Theft,” TAG Alliance International Conference, IP Section (October 24, 2018)
- “Billing: Best Practices,” Maricopa County Bar Association, Paralegal Division (November 9, 2018)