Stephenie Gosnell Handler

Stephenie Gosnell Handler is a partner in Gibson Dunn’s Washington, D.C. office, where she is a member of the International Trade and Privacy, Cybersecurity, and Data Innovation practices. She advises clients on complex legal, regulatory, and compliance issues relating to international trade, cybersecurity, and technology matters. Stephenie ’s legal advice is deeply informed by her operational cybersecurity and in-house legal experience at McKinsey & Company, and also by her active duty service in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Stephenie is regularly recognized for her excellence in the field, most recently being named to Financier Worldwide Magazine’s Power Players: Foreign Investment & National Security 2025 – Distinguished Advisers report. Lawdragon named Stephenie to their 500 Leading Global Cyber Lawyers (2024-2025) and 100 Leading AI and Legal Tech Advisors list (2024-2025). She was also recognized in Foreign Investment Watch’s Top Advisors list for 2024 and 2025, which highlights “top advisors who provide advice and counsel concerning foreign investment and national security in the U.S. and abroad.”

Stephenie returned to Gibson Dunn as a partner of the Washington, D.C. office after serving as Director of Cybersecurity Strategy and Digital Acceleration at McKinsey & Company. In this role, she led development of the firm’s cybersecurity strategy and advised senior leadership on public policy and geopolitical trends relating to cybersecurity, technology, and data. Stephenie managed a team of experienced professionals responsible for the firm’s cybersecurity strategic initiatives, cybersecurity standards and certifications program, lifecycle governance initiatives, data analytics and optimization, and digital acceleration efforts across the cyber domain. She previously led McKinsey’s in-house cybersecurity legal team, where she advised on diverse global cybersecurity and technology matters, including strategic legal issues, data localization, regulatory compliance, risk management, governance, preparedness, and response. Stephenie frequently advised at the intersection of cybersecurity, technology, and data and export control and sanctions requirements.

Previously, Stephenie was a senior associate at a leading international law firm, where she focused her practice on international trade matters including CFIUS, export controls, and sanctions, and cybersecurity matters across the cybersecurity risk management and incident lifecycle, including assessments, incident response preparedness, incident response, regulatory compliance, transactional due diligence, and regulatory enforcement actions.

Stephenie started her legal career at Gibson Dunn, where she focused on international trade, cybersecurity, and transactional matters.

Stephenie earned her J.D. from Stanford University in 2011. She earned her M.A. from Georgetown University and her B.S. from the U.S. Naval Academy, both in 2001.

Prior to attending law school, Stephenie served as officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, where she focused on logistics and political-military affairs during her seven years of active duty service.

Capabilities

• Privacy, Cybersecurity, and Data Innovation
• Artificial Intelligence
• Consumer Protection
• International Trade Advisory and Enforcement
• National Security
• Tech and Innovation

Credentials

Education:

• Stanford University - 2011 Juris Doctor
• Georgetown University - 2001 Master of Arts
• U.S. Naval Academy - 2001 Bachelor of Science

Admissions:

• District of Columbia Bar
• Maine Bar
• New York Bar