Arianna Evers’ Advice on Evolving Legal Practice
Arianna Evers, a 45-year-old partner at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr (WilmerHale) in Washington, D.C., shared insights in a January 12, 2026, Law.com article titled “How I Made Partner: ‘Don’t Be Afraid to Evolve Your Practice,'” as part of their ongoing series profiling attorneys’ paths to partnership. Her key message emphasizes adaptability in one’s career: “Don’t be afraid to evolve your practice. If you discover you have a passion for an area that’s different from what you started in, it’s okay to pivot. Shifts can feel risky, but if your curiosity is pulling you in that direction and you see opportunity, embrace it. Developing expertise in an area you’re truly excited about will make you more motivated and valuable.” This advice stems from her own journey, transitioning from intellectual property and complex commercial litigation to specializing in privacy, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence (AI).
Professional Background and Path to Partnership
Evers graduated from Boston College Law School in 2009, where she served as Senior Articles Editor of the Boston College Third World Law Journal, and holds a BA in Government and History from Cornell University with distinction. Before law school, she worked in crisis management at a large public affairs firm in D.C. and on the national advance staff of a U.S. presidential campaign. After graduating, she clerked for The Hon. Richard G. Taranto at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit from 2013-2014.
She joined WilmerHale’s litigation group, focusing on IP and commercial disputes, handling cases from complaint through post-trial stages, including arguments, depositions, and motion practice. Over time, she pivoted to her current practice areas, advising clients on navigating complex regulatory landscapes involving data privacy laws (e.g., FTC Act, CCPA, Illinois Biometric Privacy Act, TCPA, FCRA, GLBA, HIPAA, COPPA), cybersecurity incidents, and AI risks like governance, fairness, and discrimination. She represents clients in high-stakes enforcement actions by regulators such as the FTC, state attorneys general, and HHS-OCR, as well as in litigation over privacy and consumer protection violations. Her work also includes incident preparedness, data breach responses, transactional privacy negotiations, policy drafting, and due diligence for mergers and acquisitions.
Notable achievements include being named a Top Artificial Intelligence Power Player for 2025 by Financier Worldwide and a Thomson Reuters Stand-out Lawyer (client-selected). Examples of her experience: Leading 50-state investigations into youth privacy issues, closing FTC matters without action, defending health-tech companies on tracking technologies, and advising educational tech firms in state AG probes. She has also participated in panels, such as a 2025 Harvard Law School discussion on AI in legal practice, covering risks, regulations, ethics, and integration strategies.
Evers is admitted to practice in D.C., Massachusetts, and various federal courts. Professionally, she served on the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) Women Leading Privacy Advisory Board (2022–2023) and contributes to The Sedona Conference’s Working Group on Data Security and Privacy Liability.
Public Reaction on X
The article’s release on January 12, 2026, prompted shares on X, with @lawdotcom posting the link and highlighting Evers’ advice, garnering 120 views but no engagements yet. Attorney @GlugoverLaw shared it with a local twist (“Best Daytona Lawyer”), including contact info, but it saw minimal views (3). As a fresh piece, broader discussions are limited, but it aligns with ongoing conversations in legal circles about adaptability in emerging fields like AI and privacy.