On January 15, 2026, Partner Carol C. Villegas will be the keynote speaker for the New York State Bar Association’s Women in Law Section at the 2026 Annual Meeting, a prestigious event bringing together leading attorneys for dynamic and informative sessions on key topics shaping the legal industry.  In her keynote session, “Protecting Privacy in the Digital Age: Advocacy, Accountability, & Women’s Health Data,” Carol will explore how today’s evolving technology intersects with data privacy and other individual rights.

As co-leader of the Firm’s Consumer Protection and Data Privacy Litigation team, Carol helped lead the team that secured a historic jury verdict against Meta Platforms, Inc., finding the company liable for the unauthorized collection and use of sensitive personal health data.  This unanimous jury verdict marked a watershed moment in the fight for digital accountability.  Not only did the groundbreaking win send a clear message about the data privacy responsibilities of Big Tech, but as noted by Carol, it “was about more than just data—it was about dignity, trust, and accountability.”  During her timely keynote session, Carol will underscore the impact of advocacy and its potential to shape lives, individual rights, and the legal profession.

In addition to being an active member of the New York State Bar Association's Women in the Law Section, Carol is Chair of the Board of Directors of the City Bar Fund, and a member of the New York State Board of Law Examiners, the National Association of Public Pension Attorneys, the National Council on Teacher Retirement, the National Association of Women Lawyers, and the Hispanic National Bar Association.

Learn more about the New York State Bar Association’s 2026 Annual Meeting here.