Ropes & Gray Strengthens Cybersecurity, Data and Enforcement Capabilities with Addition of Maya Song

Ropes & Gray announced today that Maya Song, a nationally recognized leader in cybersecurity, data privacy, and government enforcement, has joined the firm as a partner in its data, privacy & cybersecurity practice. As a former First Assistant U.S. Attorney with roots in private practice, Maya brings a unique blend of deep government and private-sector experience. Her arrival marks a significant expansion of the firm’s capabilities in high-demand regulatory and enforcement areas, and further strengthens Ropes & Gray’s position as a destination for clients navigating complex legal, compliance, and litigation challenges.

“Maya spent 12 years as a federal prosecutor in one of the most demanding and tech-savvy offices in the country, focused on many of our clients’ highest priority issues,” said Julie Jones, Chair. “She’ll be a major asset to our clients, who are operating in an environment with fast-moving policy, security, regulatory and enforcement changes. Her experience serving our country at the highest levels as well as in private practice exemplifies the caliber of talent and cross-discipline expertise that clients look for at Ropes & Gray.”

Maya joins Ropes & Gray following her tenure as First Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia, overseeing approximately 300 federal prosecutors, litigators, and staff in one of the nation’s premier districts. As the First Assistant, she was the principal advisor to the U.S. Attorney and led the office’s response to high-profile national security and white-collar matters. Earlier in her DOJ career, Maya served as a cybercrime prosecutor and led the cybercrime unit in the Eastern District of Virginia.

Maya also served as Senior Counsel to the U.S. Deputy Attorney General, where she advised Justice Department leadership on cybersecurity, cryptocurrency, and AI issues, and played a leading role in formulating related DOJ guidance, strategy, and policy, including for cybersecurity disclosure rules issued by other agencies. She represented the DOJ in National Security Council and Cyber Safety Review Board meetings, and was a speaker at White House and think tank cyber symposia.

“Maya’s knowledge and skill are unmatched in their breadth and depth across cybersecurity, data privacy, government enforcement, and white-collar litigation,” said Edward McNicholas, leader of Ropes & Gray’s data, privacy & cybersecurity practice. “Her interagency experience on some of the most complex cyber attacks against our government and defense industrial base will significantly enhance our prominence in that area. Her investigative acumen will strengthen our cross-practice collaboration, bolster our crisis management capabilities, and further enhance our abilities to meet the growing demand for sophisticated counsel on AI, digital assets, cybersecurity, and other convergent regulatory issues.”

Earlier in her career, Maya was a litigation attorney at two other AmLaw 100 firms, and clerked for the Honorable Carl E. Stewart on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Maya received her J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School and her B.F.A. with honors from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.

“I am delighted to join Ropes & Gray’s exceptional team,” said Maya Song. “The firm’s collaborative culture, commitment to innovation, and market-leading practices provide the ideal platform to help clients address the fast-evolving challenges of cybersecurity, data privacy, and government enforcement. I look forward to working with my new colleagues across practices and offices to deliver outstanding results for our clients.”