att name

Donna L. Wilson

Partner

  • p. 310.424.3902
  • f. 310.424.3960
  • dwilson@buckleysandler.com

Biography

Donna Wilson leads BuckleySandler’s West Coast litigation practice.  Recognized in 2013 as one of the top women litigators in California by the Daily Journal, she has extensive experience in bringing and defending high-dollar, big stakes cases, particularly on behalf of clients in highly regulated industries and activities. She consults with and advises clients on an ongoing basis regarding legal strategies and their practical business impact.  Her practice focuses on three primary areas:

  • Consumer class and individual actions and counseling, with a focus on mortgage/financial services and data security/privacy
  • Government enforcement actions
  • Other complex business litigation and related counseling

Counseling and Defense of Consumer Class and Individual Issues

Ms. Wilson has defended scores of class and individual actions alleging violations of consumer protection laws, including RESPA/YSP, ECOA/FHA, FCRA, FDCPA, HOEPA, TILA, as well as alleged consumer privacy violations.  She also has conducted reviews with respect to fair lending, UDAP, and other regulatory compliance issues. Ms. Wilson has been recognized by the Legal 500 as a leading data security and privacy practitioner. Current matters include: 

  • Representation of mortgage originator in putative federal class action in issue of first impression under FCRA and California state law
  • Representation of national bank in threatened putative class action alleging violations of consumer privacy under the TCPA
  • Representation of national retailer with respect to California putative class action alleging violations of consumer privacy under California state law

In addition to defending clients in disputes, Ms. Wilson regularly counsels clients regarding ways to enhance existing data security and privacy compliance programs and how to manage data security incidents.

Government Civil Enforcement Actions

Ms. Wilson’s focus on representing highly regulated industries has resulted in her extensive involvement in government enforcement matters on behalf of her clients.  She is currently defending individuals in two different cases brought by the FDIC.  In addition, Ms. Wilson recently successfully defended an international manufacturer and its subsidiary against a California state regulatory agency.  The multi-week trial involved claims brought by her clients alleging various violations of administrative law and the California state constitution and counter-claims by the regulator for over $200 million in statutory penalties.  The litigation settled mid-trial during the presentation of her clients’ case.  The result was a highly favorable settlement providing the client with the equitable relief it sought from the regulator and with the regulator obtaining less than 1% of the statutory penalties it sought.

Other Complex Business Litigation and Counseling

Ms. Wilson has defended her clients in litigation across a wide range of substantive practice areas, including antitrust, bankruptcy, securities, environmental, insurance coverage, business contracts, and torts. She recently served as lead co-counsel representing a national telecommunications provider in a complex, multi-party California state court action brought by homeowners, insurance companies, and the California state government asserting tort, nuisance, and other claims arising from the Malibu Canyon Fire.  Ms. Wilson also advised the client with respect to related government enforcement proceedings.  She currently serves as co-lead counsel in a case brought by the Navajo Nation against the US government for approximately eight-figure damages, arising from the government’s alleged mishandling of the Nation’s trust funds and natural resources.  Ms. Wilson regularly advises clients on insurance coverage issues, particularly in the areas of Directors and Officers, Errors and Omissions, and Privacy and Data Security insurance.

Significant Representations

Publications

In The News

Speaking Engagements & Events

Awards & Recognition

  • Daily Journal, Top 75 Women Litigators in California 2013
  • Legal 500, 2012 leading attorney in privacy and data security
  • Skadden Legal Aid Society Program
  • Named "Knight of the Enterprise" by Lyondell Basell Chemical Company, an honor given to trial counsel who achieve outstanding results on behalf of the company

Clerkships

  • United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, the Honorable Stanley S. Brotman
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, the Honorable David R. Thompson