Joshua M. Snavely
Of Counsel, Industry Group Leader

Joshua Snavely is an attorney, Ivy League-trained cybersecurity and privacy expert, and homeland security policy analyst whose practice is devoted to advising clients across a broad range of industries with business and technology strategy, compliance and risk assessment, crisis management, and incident response. His work in these areas focus on business continuity, disaster recovery, and resilience planning, with a special focus on the impacts and risks associated with data protection and cybersecurity. Joshua’s experience includes proactively identifying and addressing internal and external threats to data, managing privacy and cybersecurity issues related to business transactions, and developing and implementing response plans for data breaches, ransomware attacks, and other cyber-incidents. He currently co-leads the firm Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Group.
In the fast-paced and emerging fields of artificial intelligence, blockchain, and cryptocurrencies, Joshua’s expertise includes technology assessment, compliance, and strategy.
Joshua’s career experience and extensive study in the fields of cybersecurity, privacy, and homeland security law have earned him a national reputation as a thought leader and made him a sought-after speaker and trainer at regional, national and global events, including RSA Conference (the world’s largest cybersecurity conference), American Bar Association’s Homeland Security Law Institute, National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education Conference, The National Summit on Homeland Security Law, the Oklahoma Small Business Development Network, and Roundtables at the Aspen Institute and the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Prior to joining McAfee & Taft, Joshua served as the dean of the School of Business at Langston University, the western-most Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the United States, for five years. As dean and a senior administrator, Joshua also led the University’s crisis and emergency leadership team and recently directed all COVID-19 pandemic operations and response, including cybersecurity, physical security, technology management and operations. His career experience also includes service on the American Bar Association’s Cybersecurity Legal Task Force, the National Initiative on Cybersecurity Education Working Group, and the inaugural Oklahoma Justice Commission. Joshua served as assistant dean for external relations at Oklahoma City University School of Law, the inaugural executive director of the Judge Alfred P. Murrah Center for Homeland Security Law and Policy, and as a law clerk in the Government Appellate Division of the U.S. Army. Joshua has also now launched inaugural cybersecurity courses and programs at three Oklahoma universities, including as an adjunct professor of cybersecurity law at the University of Oklahoma.
Download Bio (PDF)Honors and Awards
- Recognized with the Outstanding Service Award by the students at the Langston University School of Business (2018)
- Selected by the New York University Center for Cybersecurity as a national finalist and presented with the CSAW Policy Competition Award for efforts in election security (2018)
- Named to The Journal Record’s Achievers Under 40 list of outstanding young professionals (2014)
- Eagle Scout
Professional Organizations and Memberships
- Oklahoma Bar Association
- American Bar Association (Member, Science & Technology Section; Former Member, Cybersecurity Legal Task Force; Former Co-Chair, Homeland Security & National Defense Committee; Former Co-Chair, Homeland Security Law Institute; Former Co-Chair, Homeland & National Security Committee, Young Lawyers Division)
- Harvard Business Review Advisory Council (Member)
- International Association of Privacy Professionals
- National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education Community Coordinating Council (Member)
- Oklahoma Economics Club
Civic Involvement and Leadership
- Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum (Former Member, Board of Trustees)
At The Podium
We Don’t Negotiate! Navigating Ethics and Compliance with Ransomware
We Don’t Negotiate! Navigating Ethics and Compliance with Ransomware
Phight the Phish: A Program to Build Cyber Hygiene and Security Awareness
Cybersecurity Threats
The Privacy Playbook: An Overview of the Legal & Regulatory Landscape
Healthcare and Cyber Attacks: Protecting PHI and Mitigating Risks
The Cybersecurity and Privacy Playbook: A strategic guide for business
The Cybersecurity and Privacy Playbook: A strategic guide for business
Cyber Hygiene: An Apple (or PC) Defended a Day Keeps the Hacker Away
First-Skill, Reskill, Upskill
A Playbook for Cyber Resilience: Basics & Best Practices
Decrypting Diversity: The Secret Key to Cybersecurity
Providence, RI | February 2021Cyber Resiliency Planning: The Basics & Best Practices for Business
Cybersecurity Playbook: Fundamentals & Strategies for Business
The Cyber Range – A Guide
#CyberDiversity – New Decade, New Rules
The Intersection of Cybersecurity & the Fourth Estate
Sleepless in Cyberspace: Navigating the Threat Landscape
Fundamentals of Cybersecurity Law & Policy
Washington, DC | September 2017Security vs. Security – A Conversation with Facebook
The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act: An Overview and Update
An ‘Apple’ a Day Keeps the Hacker … or the Government … Away?
A Deep Dive on Cyber & Incident Response Plans
The Rule of Law – Security vs. Liberty
Homeland and National Security – The Evolution of Domestic Extremism
Practical Considerations in Advising and Representing Clients in Anti-Terrorism & Homeland Security
Articles
SEC adopts new cybersecurity rules for public companies
McAfee & Taft Cybersecurity Alert | July 28, 2023Oklahoma Legislature files privacy law focused on data protection and national security concerns
CybersecurityLINC Alert | September 13, 2021The Electronic Recording of Custodial Interrogations: Who Gets to Hold the Remote? A Separation of Powers Battle
Oklahoma City University Law Review | Vol. 35 (2010)United States v. Mendez: Evidence – What is it good for?
Oklahoma City University Law Review | Vol. 23 (2009)Media
