Mike Hintze

Mike Hintze

He/Him

Hintze Law PLLC

Recognized since 2024

Seattle, Washington

Practice Areas

Information Technology Law

Technology Law

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Information Technology Law
Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Information Technology Law
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Mike Hintze is a Member Partner at Hintze Law PLLC and a recognized leader in privacy and data protection law, policy, and strategy. He advises a wide range of companies, industry associations, and other organizations – from startups to largest global technology companies. With more than 25 years of experience in privacy and data protection, Mike emphasizes pragmatic and actionable advice that enables his clients to meet their objectives while complying with the law and managing risk.

Mike also teaches privacy law at the University of Washington School of Law, is a Senior Fellow with the Future of Privacy Forum, and has served as an adviser to the American Law Institute’s project on Data Privacy Principles and on multiple advisory boards for the International Association of Privacy Professionals and other organizations. Mike has testified before Congress, state legislatures, and European regulators; and he is a sought-after speaker and regular writer on data protection issues.

Mike was previously Chief Privacy Counsel at Microsoft, where, for over 18 years, he counselled on data protection compliance globally and helped lead the company’s strategic initiatives on privacy differentiation and public policy. Prior to joining Microsoft, he was an associate with Steptoe & Johnson LLP, which he joined following a judicial clerkship with the Washington State Supreme Court. Mike is a graduate of the University of Washington and the Columbia University School of Law.

Affiliations & Memberships
  • University of Washington School of Law, Affiliate Instructor of Law, 2014-present

  • Future of Privacy Forum (FPF), Senior Fellow, 2018-present

  • American Law Institute (ALI)
    - Adviser, Principles of the Law: Data Privacy, 2013-2019
    - Elected Member, 2014-present

  • International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP)
    - Member, 2004-present
    - Education Advisory Board, 2013-2016
    - Research Advisory Board, 2016-2018

  • Berkeley Center for Law and Technology (BCLT) Advisory Board, 2011-2016

  • Privacy Law Salon, Privacy Roundtable Advisory Board, 2011-2013

  • Children’s Advertising Review Unit (CARU) Business Advisory Board, 2002-2007

Education
  • Columbia University School of Law, JD, 1994

  • University of Washington, BA, 1991

Bar Admissions
  • Washington

  • New York

  • District of Columbia (currently inactive)

Certifications*
  • Certified Information Privacy Professional – United States (CIPP/US)

  • Certified Information Privacy Professional – U.S. Government (CIPP/G)

  • Certified Information Privacy Professional – Canada (CIPP/C)

  • Certified Information Privacy Professional – Europe (CIPP/E)

  • Certified Information Privacy Technologist (CIPT)

  • Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM)

  • Fellow of Information Privacy (FIP)

Patents
  • United States Patent No. 7,937,383 “Generating Anonymous Log Entries,” granted May 3, 2011.

*The Supreme Court of Washington does not recognize certification and certification is not a requirement to practice law in the State of Washington.

Contact & Links
Location
  • 518 Yale Avenue North
    Seattle, WA 98109
Demographics
  • Pronouns: He/Him
Education
  • Columbia University, J.D., graduated 1994

Hintze Law PLLC
Headquarters: Seattle, Washington

2 The Best Lawyers in America® awards

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Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Information Technology Law
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Information Technology Law, Seattle (2025)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 for work in:
  • Information Technology Law
  • Technology Law
Awards:
  • Chambers USA 2023

Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Privacy and Data Security Law

Publications

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