Basic Information
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Maureen Ellen Fulton |
| Profession | Attorney (Privacy, Data Security, Cybersecurity) |
| Current Role | Shareholder; Chair, Data Privacy & Security Practice, Koley Jessen P.C. |
| Practice Focus | Privacy compliance, incident response, privacy-by-design, M&A diligence, AI governance |
| Certifications | CIPP/US (Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States) |
| Education | B.J., University of Missouri (2004); J.D., The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law (2012) |
| Law Journal Leadership | Editor-in-Chief, Ohio State Journal on Dispute Resolution |
| Bar Admissions | New York (2013); Nebraska (2014); U.S. District Court, District of Nebraska |
| Notable Recognitions | “Top Lawyers of Omaha” (2021); Super Lawyers Rising Stars (2022) |
| Spouse | Brian Windhorst (ESPN NBA reporter; married 2012) |
| Children | One child, Dane |
| Residence | Omaha, Nebraska |
Professional Profile
In an era when data is both currency and liability, Maureen Ellen Fulton has carved out a reputation as a practical, forward-looking privacy and cybersecurity lawyer. As a shareholder at Koley Jessen and chair of the firm’s Data Privacy & Security practice, she operates where law, technology, and risk collide—translating dense regulatory regimes into clear playbooks for businesses. Her work spans the full lifecycle: building programs from scratch, conducting privacy-by-design reviews, steering incident response, and evaluating data risk in transactions.
Colleagues know her for crisp counsel and a steady hand. Clients recognize a strategist who can read across the patchwork of state, federal, and international frameworks and still land on solutions that work in the real world. In a field that changes by the quarter, she has become a constant.
Education and Early Life
Rooted in Omaha, Maureen’s early path emphasizes communication and analysis. She earned a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Missouri in 2004, sharpening skills that would later become invaluable in stakeholder communications and policy translation. She went on to The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, graduating with a J.D. in 2012. There, she served as Editor-in-Chief of the Ohio State Journal on Dispute Resolution—an experience that reflects both her leadership style and her attention to precision.
Her Midwestern foundation and editorial training underpin the way she practices: clear, concise, and unflinching in the face of complexity.
Leadership in Data Privacy & Security
As practice chair, Maureen advises on the frameworks that define modern privacy programs: data mapping, retention and deletion schedules, vendor management, security controls, and safeguards for sensitive and regulated data. She guides organizations through state privacy regimes, federal sector-specific rules, and international standards, aligning compliance with business objectives instead of letting it become a speed bump.
When the alarms sound, she handles incident response—from triage and forensics coordination to notification analysis, communications, and remediation. On the proactive side, she embeds privacy-by-design into product development, and she helps M&A teams identify and price privacy risk during diligence. With AI now intertwined with data governance, she counsels on AI transparency, model oversight, and policy guardrails. Her CIPP/US certification complements that portfolio with deep U.S. regulatory fluency.
Career Milestones and Recognitions
- 2004: Completes B.J., University of Missouri.
- 2012: Earns J.D., The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law; Editor-in-Chief, OSJDR.
- 2013: Admitted to the New York bar.
- 2014: Admitted to the Nebraska bar; builds Nebraska-based practice in privacy and cybersecurity.
- 2021: Named among “Top Lawyers of Omaha.”
- 2022: Selected to Super Lawyers Rising Stars.
Her recognitions reflect a steady climb from promising associate to trusted advisor and practice leader. The throughline: consistent performance, team leadership, and a knack for making the complex actionable.
Snapshot of Recognitions
| Year | Recognition | Category/Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Top Lawyers of Omaha | Privacy & Data Security |
| 2022 | Super Lawyers Rising Stars | Privacy/E-Discovery |
Family and Personal Life
Maureen is married to ESPN NBA reporter and author Brian Windhorst. The two were married in 2012 and make their home in Omaha, Nebraska, where they are raising their child, Dane. Their life blends the rhythms of NBA seasons with the cadence of a law practice—travel and deadlines, late-night games and early-morning client calls. It’s a two-career household anchored by Midwestern roots.
Her Omaha origin story continues to matter: parents Rick and Mary, extended family ties, and a community that shaped an ethic of preparation and plain-spoken clarity. While her spouse’s work often plays out under bright lights, Maureen keeps a notably low public profile outside her legal sphere, letting her work be the thing that speaks the loudest.
Selected Timeline
| Year/Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2004 | Graduates with Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Missouri |
| 2012 | J.D., Moritz College of Law; Editor-in-Chief of OSJDR |
| 2012 | Marries Brian Windhorst |
| 2013 | Admitted to New York bar |
| 2014 | Admitted to Nebraska bar; joins Nebraska practice |
| 2014–Now | Builds and leads Data Privacy & Security practice at Koley Jessen |
| 2021 | Named among “Top Lawyers of Omaha” |
| 2022 | Selected to Super Lawyers Rising Stars |
Recent Activity and Interests
Maureen’s recent work highlights center on program building and resilience: drafting privacy policies that keep pace with emerging state statutes, road-mapping compliance for companies expanding across borders, and helping executives operationalize AI policies that align with security and ethics. She speaks and writes on privacy program design, incident readiness, vendor oversight, children’s data, biometrics, and the compliance implications of AI in day-to-day operations.
She maintains an active professional presence, sharing updates about privacy trends, firm milestones, and community involvement. Her outreach tends to be practical and solution-oriented, with clear takeaways for in-house teams navigating resource constraints.
Practice Focus at a Glance
| Domain | Typical Workstreams |
|---|---|
| Compliance Programs | Gap assessments, policies, DPIAs, DSAR workflows, training |
| Incident Response | Breach triage, forensics coordination, notification analysis, comms |
| Product Counsel | Privacy-by-design, data minimization, consent, retention and deletion |
| M&A and Transactions | Privacy diligence, risk quantification, remediation plans |
| Vendor Management | Contract controls, DPAs, security addenda, ongoing oversight |
| AI Governance | Policy frameworks, transparency, model risk and data governance |
FAQ
Who is Maureen Ellen Fulton?
She is a Nebraska-based attorney specializing in data privacy, security, and cybersecurity strategy.
What is her role at Koley Jessen?
She serves as a shareholder and chairs the firm’s Data Privacy & Security practice.
Where did she study?
She earned a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Missouri and a J.D. from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law.
What certifications does she hold?
She holds the CIPP/US credential, demonstrating advanced knowledge of U.S. privacy law.
In which jurisdictions is she admitted to practice?
She is admitted in New York and Nebraska and practices before the U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska.
What kinds of matters does she handle?
She builds privacy programs, oversees incident response, advises on product design, and assesses privacy risk in transactions.
Is she married to Brian Windhorst?
Yes, they married in 2012 and live in Omaha, Nebraska.
Does she have children?
Yes, she and her spouse have one child, Dane.
What recognitions has she received?
Her recognitions include “Top Lawyers of Omaha” and Super Lawyers Rising Stars.
What topics does she write or speak about?
Her work covers privacy compliance, incident readiness, vendor management, and the practical governance of AI.
