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Maneesha Mithal
Partner
Data, Privacy, and Cybersecurity
Washington, D.C.

D202-973-8834

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  • FTC Veteran

    Maneesha previously led the FTC’s privacy division and held many roles in the Bureau of Consumer Protection, giving her a unique vantage point that she brings to client engagements. Her clients have noted that she “brings the perspective of someone who has sat in the regulator’s seat, while also understanding the speed and ambiguity inherent in emerging technology development.” Her guidance is “crisp, strategic, and tailored to senior decision-makers.” 

  • Regulatory Investigations Experience

    Maneesha spearheaded over 150 investigations while at the FTC. In her current role as co-chair of the data, privacy, and cybersecurity practice, she represents clients in numerous investigations, with a large percentage closing without enforcement action.   

  • AI, Consumer Protection, and Privacy Expertise

    Maneesha is one of the founding members of the firm's AI group and has extensive experience counseling clients on data regulatory issues of first impression.

A partner in the Washington, D.C., office of Wilson Sonsini and co-chair of the firm's data, privacy and cybersecurity practice, Maneesha Mithal advises clients on a range of privacy, AI, and consumer protection issues. Drawing on her tenure at the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, she represents clients in FTC and state AG investigations involving privacy, AI, advertising and marketing compliance, endorsements and reviews, subscription practices, minor safety, and other unfair and deceptive practices (UDAP) matters.

Immediately prior to joining the firm, Maneesha led the FTC’s Division of Privacy and Identity Protection, where she was internationally recognized for her expertise in privacy and data security. In this capacity, she oversaw a team of 40 lawyers responsible for the enforcement of privacy and security laws and the development of policy positions in areas such as artificial intelligence, facial recognition, biometrics, and connected cars, as well as health privacy, children's privacy, and the intersection of privacy and competition. She also held other roles in the Bureau of Consumer Protection, where she oversaw enforcement actions and initiatives involving advertising, negative option marketing, and endorsement practices.

Maneesha was named to the 2024-2026 "Incident Response Elite" lists by Cybersecurity Docket and recognized in the 2024-2026 editions of Chambers USA for her privacy and AI work, with sources remarking that she "cuts to the heart of complex questions quickly" and "offers highly practical and thoughtful advice."

Maneesha is a frequent speaker at industry events, including IAPP- and ABA-led panels.

Experience

A partner in the Washington, D.C., office of Wilson Sonsini and co-chair of the firm's data, privacy and cybersecurity practice, Maneesha Mithal advises clients on a range of privacy, AI, and consumer protection issues. Drawing on her tenure at the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, she represents clients in FTC and state AG investigations involving privacy, AI, advertising and marketing compliance, endorsements and reviews, subscription practices, minor safety, and other unfair and deceptive practices (UDAP) matters.

Immediately prior to joining the firm, Maneesha led the FTC’s Division of Privacy and Identity Protection, where she was internationally recognized for her expertise in privacy and data security. In this capacity, she oversaw a team of 40 lawyers responsible for the enforcement of privacy and security laws and the development of policy positions in areas such as artificial intelligence, facial recognition, biometrics, and connected cars, as well as health privacy, children's privacy, and the intersection of privacy and competition. She also held other roles in the Bureau of Consumer Protection, where she oversaw enforcement actions and initiatives involving advertising, negative option marketing, and endorsement practices.

Maneesha was named to the 2024-2026 "Incident Response Elite" lists by Cybersecurity Docket and recognized in the 2024-2026 editions of Chambers USA for her privacy and AI work, with sources remarking that she "cuts to the heart of complex questions quickly" and "offers highly practical and thoughtful advice."

Maneesha is a frequent speaker at industry events, including IAPP- and ABA-led panels.

Focus Areas
Recent Insights
News Articles
Wilson Sonsini Attorneys Appointed to American Bar Association Leadership Roles
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, the premier provider of legal services to technology, life sciences, and growth enterprises worldwide, is proud to announce that 14 of its attorneys have been appointed to leadership roles within the American Bar Association (ABA) for the 2026-2027 term. Of these, 12 will serve in the ABA’s Antitrust Law Section, one will serve in the ABA’s Business Law Section, and one will serve in the ABA’s Intellectual Property Law Section. The appointments reflect the firm's role in the ongoing development of policy and practice across these fields.
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Alerts
EU AI Act Enforcement Phase Begins
On August 2, 2026, the European Commission (EC), acting through its European AI Office (EU AI Office), became formally entitled to exercise its powers to investigate and enforce the EU AI Act obligations imposed on providers of general-purpose artificial intelligence (GPAI) models, as well as rules on prohibited AI practices. These powers are significant and include requesting information and documentation, obtaining access to models for evaluation, requiring corrective or risk-mitigation measures, and imposing fines of up to the higher of €15 million or 3 percent of the provider’s worldwide annual turnover.
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Recent Events
Affiliated Programs
RILA Retail Law Conference 2026
On October 14, Wilson Sonsini partner Maneesha Mithal will speak at the Retail Industry Leaders Association's annual Retail Law Conference on the panel "Placing Ads in AI Chatbots." The session will explore emerging models for advertising within conversational AI—from sponsored responses and product placements to affiliate recommendations—and how these approaches differ from traditional digital advertising. Panelists will discuss notice obligations, transparency design, and evolving regulatory expectations from the FTC and its global counterparts.
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Affiliated Programs
IAPP Privacy. Security. Risk. + AI Governance Global 2026
Wilson Sonsini is proud to participate in IAPP Privacy. Security. Risk. + AI Governance Global 2026 in Seattle.
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