Jud Welle, a former federal cyber and national security prosecutor, is a partner at Goodwin who counsels companies on matters at the intersection of technology and legal risk.
Jud focuses his practice on cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, including governance, risk management, incident preparedness and response, crisis management and communications, government investigations, regulatory defense and compliance, and litigation.
Over a career spanning nearly 25 years, Jud has investigated, prosecuted, and conducted trials in cyber and national security cases as a US federal prosecutor, delivered risk management and technical services as a consultant, and overseen cyber and data protection risk management functions as an in-house lawyer. Leveraging these experiences, Jud helps clients responsibly develop, deploy and protect critical information systems and assets, while addressing a growing set of legal, business, and reputational risks and challenges.
Jud takes a “lifecycle” approach to advising clients on cyber and AI issues. His experience as a trial lawyer allows him to educate executive leaders and boards of directors on emerging technology risks in a way that is practical and understandable and supports their oversight and management duties. At the same time, Jud’s experience as a cyber and risk management consultant enables him to help technology leaders and operators anticipate and address critical AI and cybersecurity risks. When crises and incidents occur, Jud helps organizations respond and recover, serving as a “quarterback” who oversees external vendors and helps internal teams unify efforts across business functions. Jud also assures that a client's incident communications are optimized to maintain trust with customers and investors while reducing or avoiding legal risks.
Jud’s service to clients has been recognized in rankings from Chambers & Partners, Legal 500, and Lawdragon, and he regularly speaks on cybersecurity and AI topics at conferences, symposia, and in the media.
Jud serves on the legal advisory board of New York University’s Center for Cybersecurity, an interdisciplinary academic center addressing emerging cybersecurity and AI issues.
EXPERIENCE
- A publicly traded provider of marketing and customer lifecycle software solutions on multiple cyber incidents, including network intrusion and insider threats
- A publicly traded provider of enterprise-grade information technology management software in connection with multiple cyber incidents, including a ransomware attack
- A publicly traded global life sciences company in connection with a network intrusion and digital extortion incident
- A publicly traded alternative energy company in connection with a disruptive ransomware attack
- A provider of software solutions to enterprise customers in connection with network intrusion and digital extortion incident
- A provider of digital currency and blockchain services to enterprises in connection with an insider threat incident
- A publicly traded provider of cybersecurity technology solutions in connection with unauthorized use of its product by threat actors
- A provider of fiduciary services to high-net worth clients in connection with a disruptive ransomware attack
- A provider of software solutions used by healthcare organizations administer patient care in connection with the takeover of customer accounts by an unauthorized third party
- A provider of enterprise software in connection with multiple insider threat incidents
- A provider of software solutions used by healthcare organizations to protect patient health information in connection with multiple cybersecurity and product vulnerability response matters
- A healthcare diagnostics provider in connection with its response to a disruptive ransomware attack
- A healthcare analytics and service provider on all aspects of its response to a disruptive ransomware attack
- A publicly traded company in the consumer financial services industry in connection with federal and state investigations involving a disruptive ransomware attack and data breach, including the state attorneys general, New York Department of Financial Services, the US Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Consumer Financial Protection Burea
- A publicly traded company in the consumer financial services industry in connection with a cybersecurity inquiry by the New York Department of Financial Service
- A developer of AI agents for social content creation on AI governance and risk management program development
- A provider of AI chatbot to consumers in connection with safety risk management program development
- A clinical-stage biotechnology company in connection with AI systems usage and cyber risk management
- A developer of AI-powered robotics for consumer applications in connection with cyber threats, governance and risk management, and security assessments
- A publicly traded provider of marketing and customer lifecycle software solutions in connection with SEC cyber incident reporting obligations and procedures
- A publicly traded company in the consumer financial services industry in connection with SEC cyber incident reporting obligations and procedures
- A publicly traded provider of digital marketing software in connection with cyber incident response planning and training for board of directors on cyber risks
- A publicly traded company in the consumer financial services industry in connection with cyber threat exercises and training for board of directors on cyber risks
- A publicly traded semiconductor company in connection with cyber threat exercises and SEC cyber incident reporting obligations and procedures
- A publicly traded producer of high-performance materials and process solutions in connection with cyber threat simulation exercises and SEC cyber incident reporting obligations and procedures
Jud's experience and notable cases prior to joining Goodwin:
- Led multiple investigations involving ransomware, business email compromise, and inadvertent data exposure for a range of organizations
- Supervised an investigation into a corporate network intrusion and exfiltration of millions of customer records from an enterprise services company
- Led several insider threat investigations, including those involving sabotage of virtual servers perpetrated by a disgruntled IT administrator, leaks of sensitive corporate information by insiders, and unauthorized cryptocurrency “mining” activity on a corporate network for a publicly traded media company
- Advised the board of directors of a major US bank about communications security and supervised implementation of a platform to protect its sensitive deliberations
- Secured convictions at trial against an employee of a US defense contractor for stealing and exporting trade secrets for missile guidance technology for the benefit of the People’s Republic of China (US v. Sixing Liu)
- Secured conviction at trial against a political operative for disabling an opponent’s website and hacking into email accounts (US v. Joseph Roque)
- Secured conviction against a US defense contractor for supply chain fraud, exporting defense technical data to India, and providing defective parts to the US military for use in F-15 fighter aircraft (US v. Hannah Robert)
- Secured conviction against a foreign national for laundering nearly $20 million in criminal proceeds from a massive international telecommunications hacking and fraud scheme (US v. Muhammad Qasmani)
- Secured a 63-month prison sentence for a foreign national for running an international cashing operation that monetized stole credit and debit card information obtained through computer hacking (US v. Angelo Virtucio)
- Secured convictions against three New Jersey men for conspiring to join the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, a designated foreign terrorist organization (US v. Nader Saadeh, Alaa Saadeh, & Samuel Topaz)
- Secured convictions against two New Jersey men for conspiring to murder individuals on behalf of Al-Shabaab, a designated foreign terrorist organization (US v. Mohamed Alessa & Carlos E. Almonte)
- Secured conviction against a New York City pharmacist for developing the biological toxins ricin and abrin for use as weapons and possessing materials to manufacture military-grade explosives (US v. Jordan Gonzalez)
Professional Experience
Before joining Goodwin, Jud was most recently a Managing Director, the Head of the Digital Investigations & Cyber Defense practice, and Chief Counsel for Cybersecurity & Privacy at Nardello & Co., a Chambers recognized global investigations firm. In that role, Jud managed and led engagements involving cyber incident response, insider threats, digital forensics, cybersecurity advisory services, and executive and organizational preparedness. Jud also provided legal advice to the firm related to cybersecurity, incident response and preparedness, risk assessment and management, data privacy, compliance, and litigation. Prior to Nardello, Jud was a Managing Director at specialized risk management firm Stroz Friedberg, where he supervised incident response, proactive cybersecurity services, complex digital forensics, due diligence, and eDiscovery matters.
Jud is a former federal prosecutor who served as an Assistant US Attorney for the District of New Jersey in Newark. During his 12-year tenure, he investigated and prosecuted federal crimes, including computer hacking, fraud, intellectual property theft, money laundering, terrorism, export-control violations, public corruption, and international narcotics trafficking. Jud also held the roles of Cyber Crime Coordinator and National Security Cyber Specialist, where he led the office’s efforts to combat computer hacking and data theft by nation states, criminal networks, and insider threats. Jud also served as a fellow with the National Cyber Investigative Joint Task Force, a multi-agency cyber center led by the FBI and composed of more than 20 partnering agencies from across law enforcement, the intelligence community, and the Department of Defense.
Jud previously worked as an associate in the litigation department of Dewey Ballantine LLP in New York City. Prior to that, he served as a law clerk to the Honorable John W. Bissell, Chief District Judge of the US District Court for the District of New Jersey.
Professional Activities
Trustee, Board of Trustees, Alumni Association of the U.S. Attorney's Office District of New Jersey
Member, Drafting Team for 2nd Edition of the Commentary on Application of Attorney-Client Privilege and Work-Product Protection to Documents and Communications Generated in the Cybersecurity Context, The Sedona Conference
Member, Federal Bar Council
Credentials
Education
JD2000
William & Mary Law School
BA1996
Rutgers University
Clerkships
U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, Honorable John W. Bissell
Admissions
Bars
- New York
- New Jersey
Courts
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
- U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey
Recognition & Awards
Jud has been selected for inclusion in the following:
- Chambers & Partners, Global, Band 5, Privacy & Data Security: Cybersecurity (2025); USA, Band 5, Privacy & Data Security: Cybersecurity (2024)
- The Legal 500, Recommended Lawyer, Cyber Law (2024-2023)
- Lawdragon, 500 Leading Global Cyber Lawyers
Jud has also received numerous awards from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other law enforcement agencies during his tenure as a federal prosecutor for his case work. He has also received the Burton Award for Legal Achievement for outstanding legal scholarship.
Publications
Jud frequently writes, presents, and comments on legal issues related to cybersecurity, data protection, breach response, insider threats, national security, counterterrorism, eDiscovery, and interacting with regulatory and law enforcement agencies.
Jud’s recent speaking engagements include:
- Panelist, “Data Privacy Compliance: Pre-Attack Risk Mitigation and Post-Attack Best Practices,” Incident Response Forum Masterclass, April 2025
- Moderator, “AI Security: Critical Questions, Expert Answers,” Webinar, April 2025
- Panelist, “The Power and Problems With DeepSeek and Open-Source Models: What You Need To Worry About,” HumanX, March 2025
- Panelist, “Artificial Intelligence: The Impact Investor Perspectives,” Impact Capital Managers Spring Convening & LP Day, March 2025
- Panelist, “The Interrelationship between Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity,” Webinar, January 2025
- Speaker, “Why Cyber Best Practice and Data Governance Is Not a One-Time Exercise,” Nasdaq Trade Talks, October 2024
- Panelist, “Healthcare Data, Web Tracking Tools and Current Litigation Threats,” Webinar, September 2024
- Moderator, “Cybersecurity: Roundup on Recent SEC Developments and Looking Forward,” Webinar, September 2024
- Moderator, “This Time, It's Personal (Cyber Liability for Corporate Officers): Understanding Risk and Exposure in a Changing Regulatory Landscape,” Webinar, November 2023
- Panelist, “Proposed SEC Rules Will Require Enhanced Disclosures Related to Companies’ Cybersecurity Risk Management and the Expertise of Boards of Directors,” Webinar, April 2023
- Panelist, “Are You Ready for the SEC’s New Cybersecurity Guidelines?” Code42 Webinar, May 2023
- Panelist, “Cyber New Year’s Resolutions: Predictions and Best Practices for Risk Management”, IAPP Web Conferences, January 2023
- Panelist, “Proposed SEC Rules Will Force Public Companies to Dramatically Rethink Cybersecurity Investigations and Response Strategy,” Webinar (December 2022)
- Panelist, “Data Privacy and Security: Regulation, Enforcement, and Best Practices,” New York City Bar Compliance Institute 2022, September 22, 2022
- Panelist, “Democracy and Technology in the Digital Age, Deploying an Open Innovation Platform,” The Democracy and Culture Foundation, June 28, 2021
- Panelist, “Emerging Cyber Threats: What Companies Need to Know & Plan For,” Nardello & Co., June 15, 2021
- Panelist, “After the Breach: Working with Law Enforcement,” U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, Cybercrime Symposium, May 18, 2021
- Panelist, “Managing Cyber Risk in a Hostile World,” INFORM Conference, ARMA-NJ, June 14, 2018
Jud’s commentary and notable publications include:
- Quoted, “Cybersecurity & Privacy Policy To Watch In 2024,” Law 360, January 2024
- Quoted, “The Cybersecurity & Privacy Developments That Shaped 2023,” Law.com, December 2023
- Co-Author, “4 Mistakes to Avoid After a Cybersecurity Incident,” Law 360, August 28, 2023
- Quoted, “Cyber-attacks and data protection worries loom large,” Commercial Dispute Resolution, August, 2023
- Co-Author, “The DOJ Goes Phishing: The Rise of False Claims Act Cybersecurity Litigation,” Law Journal Newsletters, March 2022
- Co-Author, “Never Break the Chain: Software Supply Chain Risks and Solutions,” New York Law Journal, March 2022
- Quoted, “Goodwin Nabs Cyber Pro To Boost Incident Response Arsenal,” Law360 Pulse, January 2022
- Quoted, “Cybersecurity Resolutions for 2022,” Cybersecurity Law Report, January 2022
- Quoted, “SEC Lures Top Enforcer Who Says Tougher Punishment Is Coming,” The Wall Street Journal, December 2021
- Quoted, “The U.S. Government Has a Massive, Secret Stockpile of Bitcoin — Here’s What Happens to It,” CNBC, December 2021
- Co-Author, “January 6 and Beyond: Understanding the New Social Media Landscape,” Nardello & Co., March 2021
- Co-Author, “Hack & Sell Short: A New Cyber Threat,” Nardello & Company, January 2021
- Co-Author, “The Cyber Threat Epidemic,” Nardello & Co., April 2020
- Author, “Power, Policy, and the Hyde Amendment: Ensuring Sound Interpretation of the Criminal Attorneys’ Fees Law,” 41 William & Mary Law Review 333, 1999