Jones Walker Adds DOJ Privacy and AI Veteran to Bolster Regulatory Compliance Practice
Event summary
- Jones Walker LLP hired Christina Baptista as special counsel in its Washington, DC office on August 10, 2026.
- Baptista previously served as senior counsel in the DOJ's Office of Privacy and Civil Liberties and lead privacy counsel to DOJ's chief AI officer.
- She brings expertise in AI governance, data privacy, cybersecurity, and regulatory compliance.
- Baptista received the Attorney General's Distinguished Service Award for her work establishing the Data Protection Review Court.
The big picture
Jones Walker's hire of Christina Baptista underscores the increasing importance of regulatory compliance in the legal services sector, particularly around emerging technologies like AI. As governments worldwide tighten privacy laws and AI regulations, law firms with specialized expertise in these areas are likely to see heightened demand from corporate clients navigating complex compliance landscapes.
What we're watching
- Regulatory Scrutiny
- How Jones Walker's expanded capabilities will position it to navigate growing regulatory scrutiny in AI and data privacy.
- Market Differentiation
- Whether the firm can leverage Baptista's DOJ experience to stand out in a competitive legal services market.
- Client Demand
- The pace at which businesses will seek specialized legal counsel for AI and data governance as regulations evolve.