Reena R. Bajowala is a partner in Ice Miller’s Litigation Group, where her practice focuses on information technology, data security and privacy and employment matters. She regularly counsels and defends information technology (IT) companies, online and brick-and-mortar retailers, healthcare companies, manufacturers and transportation industry clients in technology-related and employment (ERISA and FLSA) disputes.
Reena advises sellers and buyers of IT services with respect to their rights and defends them in disputes, under contract, tort, copyright and other laws. She assists clients with evaluating business decisions relating to call centers and data centers around the globe. Reena helps navigate clients through issues relating to emerging technologies, including blockchain and artificial intelligence. She also regularly advises clients on data privacy and security issues, including developing privacy and security programs, proactive planning to avoid or mitigate data security issues and defending data breach litigation. Reena is a Certified Information Privacy Technologist (CIPT).
With a demonstrated ability to deal with the intricacies of class, collective and plan-wide litigation, Reena defends employers and service providers in federal actions involving the FLSA and ERISA. She is adept at dealing with issues arising from the Class Action Fairness Act, Multi-District Litigation and hybrid action procedures. She also works with companies in consumer fraud and deceptive practice litigation and investigations. Reena has extensive litigation and trial experience from filing of complaint to settlement or verdict, including over 100 days of first-chair trial experience.
Reena regularly speaks and writes on topics relevant to her practice. She is a member of the CBA Financial and Emerging Technologies Committee, the Chicago Electronic Crimes Task Force and the International Association of Privacy Professionals. She is also an advisory board member for Hub88, a technology incubator in the Chicagoland area.
Reena received the "Best Under 40" award from NAPABA, the POW! award from Womenetics and a "Most Powerful and Influential Woman" award from the Illinois Diversity Council. She is a 2013 Fellow of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity.
Reena is recognized for her public interest work in the areas of fair housing, civil rights and human trafficking. In 2018, she received a Distinguished Alumni award from PILI. In 2005, she founded the Origins Fellowship at the University of Michigan Law School, which has distributed almost $125,000 to dozens of students working to advance the public interest. She serves on the advisory board of the Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Foundation. She also serves on the board of the Albany Park Theater Project. Her previous service includes the Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI), the National Immigrant Justice Center and Apna Ghar.
Reena joined the Firm in 2018 after spending almost 13 years as an associate and partner at an AmLaw 100 international law firm based in Chicago.