Stanford CIS
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Catherine Kirkman

Cathy Kirkman is a Non-Residential Fellow at the Center for Internet and Society.  Her research focuses on the policy framework applicable to youth in their use of social media, both in enabling the full exercise of their public rights and in ensuring the unique legal protections afforded to youth in society.Cathy retired as a partner from Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati in 2012 at age 50 after 20 years at the firm. As leader of the firm’s media practice, Cathy gained national recognition for her expertise in media-related transactions and counseling. Over the years, she was instrumental as counsel for countless ventures in Silicon Valley, notably working with YouTube as a start-up until its sale to Google. She was also active in pro bono matters for non-profit clients such as Creative Commons and the underserved community in neighboring East Palo Alto. She graduated from Stanford Law School in 1989 (with distinction, Order of the Coif) and from Harvard College in 1986 (magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa).  She is a Certified Privacy Professional, maintaining, with CIPP, CIPP/C, CIPP/G, and CIPP/IT certifications with the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP).In retirement she remains active in the Silicon Valley venture community, serving as a consultant in the Internet media space and as pro bono counsel to the Student Equity Action Network (SEAN).  She lives in Palo Alto with her husband, two sons and multiple dogs.