Catherine North Hounfodji provides data security incident response and crisis management to clients in a range of industries and defends them in any resulting litigation or regulatory enforcement. Catherine also regularly counsels and defends clients in matters relating to privacy, cybersecurity, class actions, state consumer privacy laws (such as the California Consumer Privacy Act), consumer protection laws, retail operations, loyalty and gift card programs, unclaimed property, and commercial disputes.
Catherine’s experience includes advising on the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and other US state consumer privacy laws, the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), state data security laws, US federal and state CAN-SPAM laws, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rules, and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
Catherine also maintains an active pro bono practice, which includes assisting immigrant clients with Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) matters and residency applications, election-related litigation, and expungements.
Before attending law school, Catherine spent 10 years working in the field of education, including five years working with the Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP) and three years teaching high school physics and chemistry as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Benin (in West Africa). Catherine is fluent in French and holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.
Recipient, President’s Award for Outstanding Service, Houston Bar Association (2021)
Member, Houston Bar Association
Member, Gender Fairness Committee, Houston Bar Association (co-chair, 2020–2021)
Pro Bono Counsel, Tahirih Justice Center
Arizona Law Review (2007–2009)