Back to All Professionals

Donald R. Geiter, J.D., M.S.L. (Cybersecurity Law & Policy), CIPP/US, CIPM
Partner

Cybersecurity Service Team and Finance Practice Chair

Back to All Professionals
Donald R. Geiter, J.D., M.S.L. (Cybersecurity Law & Policy), CIPP/US, CIPM
Partner

Cybersecurity Service Team and Finance Practice Chair

Contact
Office

Lancaster, PA

Don is the chair of the firm’s Cybersecurity Service Team and chair of the firm’s Finance practice. He also serves on the firm’s technology committee and as the firm’s Chief Privacy Officer.

Don first became involved in cybersecurity initiatives while he was a law clerk with the Office of Naval Research, U. S. Department of the Navy, in the late 1990s. Currently, Don advises business clients on a broad range of cyber, tech-related, and privacy matters, including employee and board training, data breach coaching and support, cybersecurity/privacy compliance and auditing, counseling, transactional support and contract review. Don has particular experience advising financial service organizations, healthcare organizations, and managed IT service providers. Don is an active member of the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) and is a member of InfraGard (a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the private sector for the protection of U.S. Critical Infrastructure). Don is a frequent speaker on the topic of cybersecurity and privacy, with recent presentations given to the Pennsylvania Bankers Association, the National Association of Corporate Directors, the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Association of Corporate Counsel, PA Manufacturers’ Association and the World Trade Center-Harrisburg. His recent cybersecurity projects include:

– Representation of global digital event management organization in connection with GDPR-related privacy and security compliance.

– Representation of accounting and consultancy firm in connection with regulatory compliance and related vendor management.

– Representation of entertainment touring production company in connection with applicability of cybersecurity standards and regulation.

– Representation of public utility organizations in connection with incident management and data audits.

Don’s vast finance experience involves both institutional and private financing, including representing lenders and borrowers in complex commercial lending, syndicated/participated transactions, and multi-party loan restructures and work-outs. He is the immediate past chair of the firm’s Creditors’ Rights Practice Group. His recent finance and creditors’ rights transactions include:

– Representation of a worldwide, multi-division service organization in connection with a $50 million syndicated loan financing from a group of national financial institutions.

– Representation of a national banking association in connection with its restructuring of a $40 million line of credit to a national food product manufacturer.

– Representation of a state-charted bank in connection with its $19 million working capital line of credit to a national public housing developer.

Don also has an extensive Securities practice and assists existing companies, start-ups and real estate ventures as well as helps funds with private debt and equity offerings and the associated registration, exemption and “Blue Sky” requirements. He also works with a variety of business clients on mergers and acquisitions, buy-sell agreements, shareholder relations, and is frequently engaged on general corporate matters. His recent securities and M&A transactions include:

– Representation of real estate syndication group in connection with its various mobile home park and self-storage capital raise strategies.

– Representation of senior living developer in connection with its multi-phased securities offering.

– Representation of real estate syndication group in connection with a multi-stage securities offering to support its multi-family investment property projects.

– Representation of a regional, agribusiness vendor for its acquisition of local competitor.

– Representation of a regional accounting firm to acquire a competitor.

– Representation of regional commercial construction contractor to acquire a strategic partner.

RECOGNITIONS
  • Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year” in Harrisburg – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law (2023)
  • The Best Lawyers in America, Mergers and Acquisitions (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024), Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024), Commercial Finance Law (2021, 2022, 2024)

  • Central Penn Business Journal,Forty under 40 List (2010) 

EXPERTISE CERTIFICATION
  • IAPP Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM)
  • Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US)
PRESENTATIONS
  • “Cyber Security and Liability”, York County Economic Alliance (October 2020) 

  • Panelist: “Embracing Change & Preparing for the Future”, 2019 Reading Business Seminar (October 2019) 

  • Panelist: “Embracing Change & Preparing for the Future”, 2019 Harrisburg Business Seminar (October 2019)

  • “Navigating the Legal Intricacies of Cybersecurity”, Business Espionage Morning Forum (June 2019)

  • “Cyber Threats and CEO Fraud”, Lancaster Chamber (April 2019)

  • “Legal Tech Talk for Your 21st Century Business”, BIG U 2018 (May 2018)

  • Board Oversight of Risk Management (Cybersecurity), Pennsylvania Bankers Association Annual Convention (May 2018) 

  • The Board’s Role in Risk Oversight and Cybersecurity, NACD (October 2017)

  • “Current Trends in Commercial Lending”, LendiCon 2017 (March 2017)

  • Loan Participations: Whose Loan is it Anyway?” , Pennsylvania Bankers Association Annual Lending Conference (October 2016) 

  • “Doing Business in the Digital World (and Cloud): An Overview of Risk, Applicable Laws and Policies Relating to Information Security”, Barley Snyder Business Seminar (October 2015) 

  • “Jolley v. Chase Home Finance Are Lenders Facing New Threats in Lender Liability Claims?”, Barley Snyder LendiCon Seminar (March 2015)

  • “Doing Business in the Digital World”, ACC Seminar: What Keeps You up at Night? (September 2014)

  • “Loan Participations: Whose Loan is it Anyway?”, Barley Snyder LendiCon Seminar (November 2013)

  • “Doing Business in the Digital World”, Barley Snyder Business Seminar, (October 2013)

  • “Bankruptcy Preference Claims and Their Defenses”, ACC Seminar: What Keeps You up at Night? (September 2013)

  • “Collection Toolbox: Secured Creditor’s Edition”, Barley Snyder LendiCon Seminar (November 2012)

  • “Information Security: Policies, Processes and Technology,” Barley Snyder Business Seminar (October 2011) 

Donald R. Geiter, J.D., M.S.L. (Cybersecurity Law & Policy), CIPP/US, CIPM
Education
  • University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, M.S.L. (Cybersecurity Law and Policy)
  • Suffolk University Law School, J.D.
  • Millersville University, B.A.
Admissions
  • Pennsylvania
  • Massachusetts
  • U. S. District Court for the Middle and Eastern Districts of Pennsylvania
Community Involvement
Lancaster Bible College

Trustees and corporation member

Salvation Army (Lancaster)

Advisory board member and chair of scholarship committee

Lancaster Youth Intervention Center

Member of board of managers

Technology Council of Central Pennsylvania

Member

Dayspring Christian Academy

Former trustee

Lancaster Safety Coalition

Former board member and past board chair

Lancaster County Junior Golf Tour

Former board member

Boy Scouts of America PA Dutch Council

Former committee member (development), former chair of annual charity golf tournament

CHAP International

Former missionary in Liberia, West Africa

Leadership Lancaster

2009 graduate

Mennonite Disaster Services

Former missionary (Hurricane Katrina)

Manheim Township Baseball and Softball Association

Former volunteer youth coach

Manor Ridge Athletic Association

Former youth coach

Millersville University Alumni Association

Former board member

United Way of Lancaster County

Former committee member (Early Childhood Allocations)

Worcester Art Museum (Worcester, Mass.)

Former trustee and members' council president

Youth Development Allocations, United Way of Central Massachusetts

Former committee member

Related News

View More News
News Alert
August 3, 2023

New Cyber Rule Places Additional Requirements on Colleges and Universities (and Other Types of Organizations)

It has been a busy summer for cyber and privacy legal matters. We recently alerted you regarding SEC cyber breach reporting r...

Learn More
News Alert
July 31, 2023

SEC Implements Stricter Cyber Breach Reporting for Public Companies – Why Private Companies Also Need to Pay Attention

On Wednesday, July 26, 2023, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) implemented new rules requiring public compani...

Learn More
Press Release
February 6, 2023

Barley Snyder Partner Donald Geiter Receives CIPM Certification

For Immediate Release Lancaster, Pa. – Barley Snyder partner Donald R. Geiter has received the Certified Information Privac...

Learn More
Press Release
January 20, 2023

Barley Snyder Announces 2023 Leadership Changes

For Immediate Release Lancaster, Pa. – Barley Snyder has announced several changes to its internal governance committees. O...

Learn More
News Alert
December 19, 2022

HHS Bulletin Warns Health Care Providers: Make Sure Website Tracking Is HIPAA-Compliant

Earlier this month, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Civil Rights issued a bulletin cautioning health...

Learn More
News Alert
December 13, 2022

Website Tracking and Privacy Policies at Issue in Two New Pennsylvania Court Cases

Two class action lawsuits filed in the last month in Pennsylvania federal court bring to light the perils of using website tr...

Learn More
Press Release
December 8, 2021

Barley Snyder Partner Geiter Admitted to National Cybersecurity Group

For Immediate Release  Lancaster, Pa. – InfraGard, a federal government cybersecurity partnership with members of...

Learn More
Press Release
August 25, 2021

“Best Lawyers” Honors 30 Barley Attorneys

For Immediate Release  Lancaster, Pa. – Barley Snyder is pleased to announce that the prestigious “Best Lawyers...

Learn More
Press Release
January 12, 2021

Barley Snyder Announces 2021 Leadership Changes

Media Contact: Michael Sadowski, Communications Coordinatormsadowski@barley.com or 717-208-8842 For Immediate Release&nb...

Learn More
Press Release
November 16, 2020

Barley Snyder Partner Geiter Named Legal “Trailblazer”

Media Contact: Michael Sadowski, Communications Coordinatormsadowski@barley.com or 717-208-8842 For Immediate Release&nb...

Learn More
News Alert
November 9, 2020

Feds Warn of Cybersecurity Threats Against Health Care

Health care companies and organizations could soon be the victims of cyberattacks, according to a recent warning from federal...

Learn More
Press Release
August 20, 2020

Nearly Thirty Barley Snyder Attorneys Named “Best Lawyers”

Media Contact: Michael Sadowski, Communications Coordinatormsadowski@barley.com or 717-208-8842 For Immediate Release&nb...

Learn More
News Alert
May 4, 2020

Cloud Computing for Financial Institutions

A federal banking agency has taken aim at cloud computing, offering financial institutions guidance and proposed safeguards i...

Learn More
News Alert
April 13, 2020

International Authorities Warn of COVID-19 Cybersecurity Threats

Two top-level international cybersecurity authorities have teamed up to warn the world about cyber criminals exploiting the r...

Learn More
News Alert
March 9, 2020

Does the New California Privacy Law Apply to My Business?

Perhaps you missed it or maybe you didn’t pay attention because you thought it doesn’t apply to you, but a new, wide-reac...

Learn More
News Alert
February 25, 2020

Barley Snyder Partner Geiter Receives Cybersecurity Certification

Media Contact: Michael Sadowski, Communications Coordinatormsadowski@barley.com or 717-208-8842 For Immediate Release&nb...

Learn More
Press Release
August 15, 2019

Barley Snyder Places 21 Attorneys on “Best Lawyers” List

Media Contact: Michael Sadowski, Communications Coordinatormsadowski@barley.com or 717-208-8842 For Immediate Release&nb...

Learn More
News Alert
August 5, 2019

Legal Lessons from the Capital One Breach

We are sort of numb by now to the weekly (almost daily) media reports of data breaches, but if the recent Capital One da...

Learn More
Press Release
May 23, 2019

Barley Snyder’s Geiter Earns Cybersecurity Law Degree

Media Contact: Michael Sadowski, Communications Coordinatormsadowski@barley.com or 717-208-8842 For Immediate Release&nb...

Learn More
Press Release
December 17, 2018

Barley Snyder’s Geiter Named to Trustee Board

Media Contact: Michael Sadowski, Communications Coordinatormsadowski@barley.com or 717-208-8842 For Immediate Release&nb...

Learn More
News Alert
November 30, 2018

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Lays Out Blueprint for Cybersecurity Responsibilities

Employees should expect their employers to store their personal information securely and out of the hands of hackers, accordi...

Learn More
Press Release
August 16, 2018

Sixteen Barley Snyder Attorneys Named to “Best Lawyers” List; Werner Named a “Lawyer of the Year”

Media Contact: Michael Sadowski, Communications Coordinatormsadowski@barley.com or 717-208-8842 For Immediate Release La...

Learn More
News Alert
May 30, 2018

WARNING: Heightened alert for phishing scams amid GDPR transition

When there is something new, confusing, and much-hyped on the Internet, you can bet criminals are going to find a way to expl...

Learn More
News Alert
March 19, 2018

Why Your Small U.S. Business Should Care About GDPR

You’re not alone if your small business hasn’t been paying close attention to the fact that the General Data Protection R...

Learn More
News Alert
October 1, 2015

Credit Card Fraud: EMV compliance and shift of liability as of October 1

As of October 1, 2015, all major credit card companies in the United States (including, Visa, MasterCard, Discover and Americ...

Learn More
News Alert
February 20, 2015

Pennsylvania’s New Power of Attorney Law: What it could mean to confessions of judgment in commercial loan documents

Pennsylvania’s power of attorney law was overhauled, effective as of January 1, 2015. It seems that early focus on and prep...

Learn More
Press Release
January 5, 2015

Barley Snyder Attorney Don Geiter to Lead Firm’s Finance & Creditors’ Rights Group

Lancaster, PA – The law firm of Barley Snyder is pleased to announce that Don Geiter has been selected as th...

Learn More
Newsletter
April 1, 2014

The Target Data Breach: What can you and your business learn?

Unless you have been in hibernation this winter, you are likely aware of the massive data breach that Target Corporation suff...

Learn More

Related Resources

View All Resources
Podcast
January 31, 2023

LEGAL DOSE 5: Interview with the Phillie Phanatic

Do you have a topic idea for a future episode? Please send your suggestions to barleypodcast@barley.com.

Learn More
Podcast
May 18, 2020

6. COVID-19 Legal Update Podcast

Barley Snyder COVID-19 Legal Update – Episode 6 In the sixth episode of the Barley Snyder COVID-19 Legal Update Podcast, our host, employment attorney David Freedman is joined by attorney Donald Geiter, chair...

Learn More

Get in Touch

Our attorneys, paralegals and staff look forward to hearing from you. Please reach out to let us know how we can help.

Get In Touch
RECOGNIZED IN
Super Lawyers
Best Law Firms US News
Best Lawyers