COLUMBIA, S.C. – Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP is pleased to announce three accomplished litigators — Katy Spicer, Daniel Harkins, and Ericka Johnson — have joined the firm as partners. Their arrival bolsters the firm's capabilities across cybersecurity, data breach, privacy, and false advertising—areas of increasing importance to the firm’s innovative client base.

“We are thrilled to welcome Katy, Ericka, and Dan to Nelson Mullins,” said Mark Jones, chair of the firm’s Litigation Management Group. “Their arrival will deepen our bench in an ever-evolving practice area that is critical to many of our clients. Their skill and experience are a natural complement to our growing Cybersecurity & Data Breach Litigation and False Advertising & Unfair Trade Practice teams.”

Spicer, a seasoned trial lawyer and Colonel in the Marine Corps Reserve, co-chairs the firm’s Data Breach and Privacy Litigation Group. She brings a commanding presence to the courtroom and strategic leadership to privacy litigation. Her military background informs a tactical, disciplined approach to litigation—an asset in navigating the fast-evolving landscape of digital privacy and consumer protection.

Harkins is a strategic litigator with deep experience defending high-profile, national brands in class actions in a diverse range of industries. He has secured numerous dismissals and favorable settlements for consumer brands faced with allegations of false or deceptive labels, packaging, or marketing materials.

Johnson joins the firm following her tenure as Global Cybersecurity Counsel for ByteDance and Senior Privacy Counsel for TikTok USDS, where she led legal strategy for some of the most scrutinized data operations in the world. Her experience navigating the intersection of consumer data and digital platforms adds a critical layer of depth to the firm’s privacy litigation practice.

Collectively they bring a powerhouse blend of litigation precision, regulatory insight, and crisis-tested leadership. Their combined experience spans high-stakes class actions, privacy and cybersecurity enforcement, and consumer protection disputes—making them uniquely equipped to navigate today’s most complex legal challenges. With backgrounds that include global counsel roles, military command, and strategic trial advocacy, the team enhances Nelson Mullins’ ability to deliver proactive, cross-disciplinary defense strategies.