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Overview

With more than thirty years of government, legal, and business experience in highly regulated industry sectors, Erik helps clients navigate complex cybersecurity and emerging technology challenges.

A retired Navy officer who pursued a career as a Husch Blackwell litigator while also serving in the Navy reserves, Erik’s original focus at the firm was government enforcement actions in the aviation, mining, and maritime industries. At the same time, he was working extensively with Navy intelligence in his military service, making him increasingly aware of the growing cybersecurity threats in these critical infrastructure fields. Erik earned a master’s degree in cybersecurity law with the goal of expanding both his own practice and the firm’s capabilities in this essential area. After completing the program, he chose to return temporarily to public service in the Office of General Counsel for the National Security Agency (NSA). Erik served as the acting deputy associate general counsel for the NSA’s cybersecurity practice group before returning to the firm in 2023.

The head of Husch Blackwell’s Cybersecurity practice group, Erik also has a prominent role in continuing to build the firm’s Data Privacy and AI teams. On a near-weekly basis, Erik advises clients during data security incidents and business email compromise situations where time is of the essence. He provides guidance to clients during the network remediation, forensic analysis, and government notification phases of an incident response. Erik focuses on compliance requirements related to cybersecurity and data privacy, including statutory, regulatory, and consensus-based standards, with an emphasis on critical infrastructure sectors such as mining, energy, and aviation and the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). He represents defense contractors and subcontractors; companies underpinning electrical, wastewater, transportation, and smart city systems; and other major organizations facing extortion threats from malicious foreign cyber actors.

Clients appreciate the diverse perspectives Erik brings to cybersecurity and emerging technology matters. He understands the federal government’s strategies in this area, as well as its expectations for private companies to engage in information sharing and leverage cybersecurity best practices, ensuring that critical infrastructure always remains online. Similarly, with his military background and hands-on experience in the aviation and maritime fields, Erik understands the operational and security issues that exist with heavy equipment, operational technology, and critical infrastructure. Erik’s time in the NSA’s office of general counsel also gave him a first-hand appreciation for the many demands on in-house counsel’s time and how outside counsel can best support busy clients.

Erik’s insight into the intelligence community ties directly into his ability to advise government contractors on transactional matters, bid protests, and civil litigation. As technology advances, he recognizes the larger role that artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and data privacy play in everyday business operations. Erik has earned professional certifications in AI Strategy, Cyber Incident Planning and Response, and Information Privacy.   

Industries

Services

Recognition

  • Defense Superior Service Medal for service as Commanding Officer at U.S. Pacific Command, Joint Intelligence Operations Center Reserve Unit, Minneapolis, MN, 2017
  • Meritorious Service Medal for service as Commanding Officer at Office of Naval Intelligence Reserve Unit, Salt Lake City, UT, 2015
  • Joint Service Commendation Medal for service on the military faculty at National Intelligence University, Washington, DC, 2014
  • Meritorious Service Medal for service as Executive Officer and Senior Intelligence Officer at Naval Mining and Antisubmarine Warfare Command, 2011
  • Joint Service Commendation Medal related to Operation Enduring Freedom, 2009
  • Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute, Annual Prize for Academic Excellence in Land Use Planning, 2007

Education

  • J.D., University of Denver Sturm College of Law
    • Order of St. Ives
  • M.S., University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law
    • Cybersecurity Law
  • B.A., Cornell University

Admissions

  • Colorado

Professional Memberships and Certifications

  • Association of the United States Navy
  • Colorado Bar Association
  • Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce, Aerospace & Defense
  • Certificate in AI Strategy, Cornell University - Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell SC Johnson College of Business
  • Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
  • Information Sharing and Analysis Organization - Standards Organization
  • InfraGard, Rocky Mountain Chapter
  • Certified Information Privacy Professional – United States (CIPP/US)
  • Certified Cyber Incident Planning and Response (CIPR)
  • Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM)
  • Military Cyber Professionals Association
IAPP CIPP
IAPP CIPM
Cyber Management Alliance
2024 Pro Bono Contributor
Experience
  • Served as deputy associate general counsel for the NSA's cybersecurity practice group
  • Advises critical infrastructure clients and defense contractors on compliance. requirements related to cybersecurity and data privacy.
  • Advises critical infrastructure clients, defense contractors, and other major companies on cybersecurity threats by malicious actors from both foreign nations and their proxies.
  • Advised airline operator that prevailed against frivolous whistleblower claims raised by OSHA, demonstrating that airline's proper use of disciplinary policies was not linked to alleged protected activity.
  • Advised employer during FAA investigation of alleged violation of hazardous materials regulations. Case was closed with no adverse findings or penalties assessed against employer.
  • Counseled national security industry client on response to letter of investigation from Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Convinced FAA to close investigation with no enforcement action or penalty.
  • Defended multiple employers during OSHA enforcement actions related to amputation injuries, resulting in dismissals, modifications of citations, and substantial reductions in penalties.
  • Defended pilots and operators during FAA enforcement actions and provided collaborative representation for Colorado community's safety concerns about specific airport landing patterns.
  • Persuaded FAA to reduce proposed civil penalty by 79%. Informal settlement saved client money and avoided unfavorable media coverage.
  • Served as co-counsel for government contractor's bid protest before the Court of Federal Claims involving classified information.
Articles | November 06, 2024
Legal Insights for Manufacturing: Cybersecurity

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Articles | November 05, 2024
Legal Insights for Manufacturing: Artificial Intelligence

As the hype subsides, the real work of integrating generative artificial intelligence into day-to-day operations has begun, and manufacturers are well placed to take advantage across all facets of operations, from design and production to supply-chain optimization.

White Papers | October 24, 2024
Legal Insights for Manufacturing: Outlook for 2025

Intensifying geopolitical crises, increasing regulatory burdens, and uncertain macroeconomic conditions have led to an era of caution for manufacturers.

White Papers | November 01, 2023
Legal Insights for Manufacturing: Outlook for 2024

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Articles | November 12, 2020
Rock Products: Cybercrime Risks
Articles | July 31, 2020
Lexis Practice Advisor®: Business Continuity and Emergency Planning Checklist and Emergency Action Plan

Erik Dullea and Stephanie Kaiser have compiled a Business Continuity and Emergency Planning Checklist and an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for employers, both published by Lexis Practice Advisor®.

Outside the Office

Erik likes to keep active, and living in Colorado provides endless possibilities.

He dabbles in CrossFit, even though he is a self-proclaimed “CrossFit flounder.”  Road cycling and mountain biking are also at the top of his list. Denver has an abundance of options for biking – trails and mountain roads that lead to quiet solitude and breathtaking views.

Community Leadership

Since retiring from the Navy Reserve as a captain with 30 years of combined active and reserve experience, Erik is able to give more time to his pro bono practice. He assists local nonprofits like UAS Colorado and the Colorado Association of Black Professional Engineers and Scientists.

Aviation

With more than 20 years of experience as a Navy and commercial pilot, Erik is exceptionally positioned to advise aviation clients.

He has received specialized training from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and previously worked as a military and commercial flight instructor. Erik draws on his unique background in advising airlines, pilots, certificate holders and aircraft manufacturing suppliers on Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspections, Department of Transportation (DOT) enforcement actions and litigation. He also provides valuable insights to clients through training, speaking engagements and frequent contributions to industry blogs.