Profile

Mitzi L. Hill has worked on evolving technology issues for 20 years, largely with a focus on how new technologies affect consumers, commercial intellectual property strategy and commercial compliance. Her practice focuses on data security and privacy, entertainment and media matters, and technology licensing and development.

Thanks to her strong background in technology and compliance, Ms. Hill handles a number of issues related to data security within a computerized setting. She has worked closely with clients that include retailers, service providers and others to prevent and remedy data breaches. Among other things, she has counseled retailers on hardware and software upgrades, including those for payment card industry (PCI) compliance; has handled national breach notification issues under a variety of state laws; advised on disposition and use of health care records; advised on protection and unauthorized use of consumer credit information; and counseled on communication and customer relations following sensitive breaches. Ms. Hill writes and speaks frequently on data security and breach issues, including for financial and other professionals.

Ms. Hill also has an extensive background in entertainment, media and intellectual property issues. She works with professionals across Georgia’s film, entertainment and music businesses on various matters. She has handled independent and documentary film productions, NCAA licensing of media and sponsorship rights, program distribution, and music issues involving talent and labels. She also works with a number of independent local studios on various corporate, licensing and industry-specific issues.

Before joining Taylor English, Ms. Hill was assistant general counsel with Turner Broadcasting System Inc. During her 15-year career there, Ms. Hill oversaw a wide range of questions related to technology policy, intellectual property strategy and compliance, both in the United States and globally. Her work for Turner included technology licensing and maintenance; programming licensing for television and digital properties; distribution of programming on digital networks; regulatory compliance and training, including Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requirements and privacy; domestic and international programming sales; and general corporate secretarial matters.

In her policy and compliance role, Ms. Hill worked closely with Turner’s parent company on government affairs matters regarding consumer privacy online, entertainment and media, technology and consumer affairs, and technology and copyrights. She has experience with both legislative and regulatory matters.

Ms. Hill also drafted and maintained the initial privacy policies for several Turner websites, including CNN.com. She negotiated data ownership, use and disposition provisions in e-commerce and other agreements. She led the efforts to build online platforms compliant with closed caption requirements. She represented Turner in the industry group that developed an authentication framework for online television access. That work covered antitrust questions, consumer data and strategic questions about copyrights in a digital environment. Ms. Hill also oversaw compliance matters such as FCPA training, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issues and Adam Walsh Act records. She also oversaw the company’s FCC licenses, for both production and broadcast.

Ms. Hill has substantial experience in programming-related issues and programming distribution via disruptive models. While at Turner, she worked closely with studios and other programming networks to coordinate intellectual property/copyright policy in FCC proceedings and with respect to draft legislation affecting copyright holders.

Under Ms. Hill’s oversight, Turner created an online copyright program to address emerging technologies such as video sharing. Ms. Hill created and managed a team to clear programming rights across the company’s portfolio of networks and licensed territories. This paved the way for increased international syndication of TV and digital content. Ms. Hill’s work in this regard evolved from her background in technology, but also from time spent overseas, where she oversaw the legal function for the distribution of the company’s networks in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Prior to going in-house, Ms. Hill was in private practice at King & Spalding, where she focused on technology and media issues, including satellite distribution, copyright infringement and First Amendment claims. While there, she worked with major entertainment, marketing and sports organizations on their trademark and copyright disputes, and represented several software owners in infringement proceedings.

In her free time, Ms. Hill plays a lot of tennis, works on civic and charitable causes, and supports the Tide. She also travels; in the last 10 years, she has been to Egypt, Hong Kong, Italy, Jordan, New Zealand, Syria, Thailand and other points distant. 

Memberships

Atlanta Independent Women’s Network

Decatur Arts Alliance

Decatur Business Association

Emory University School of Law, Adjunct Professor

Georgia Production Partnership

The International Association of Privacy Professionals

Technology Association of Georgia

Women in Cable Telecommunications

Women in Film & Television, Atlanta

Community Involvement

HOPE Atlanta, Board of Directors

Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) Foundation, Atlanta Chapter, Funds Development Committee

Cornerstone Society, WABE 90.1 (Atlanta NPR affiliate)

Steering committee, annual Decatur Arts Festival kickoff event

Decatur 101, Graduate

Practice Highlights

Newsroom