Chris Couch Earns Internationally Recognized FIP and CIPM Designations
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Dec. 8, 2022 – As privacy laws expand to cover more industries and threats of cybersecurity breaches multiply, businesses are seeking legal counsel with advanced certifications that indicate their advanced knowledge of these challenges and viable solutions.
In response to these developments, Phelps Partner Christopher P. Couch recently earned the designations of Fellow of Information Privacy (FIP) and Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM) from the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP). The FIP designation recognizes comprehensive knowledge of privacy laws, privacy program development and management and essential data protection practices. To receive this designation, Chris secured both the CIPM and Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP) designations, in addition to demonstrating years of experience working on privacy-related matters. “I have been working with financial institutions and unregulated clients in privacy program development and management, new market entry and new product development, vendor management, and data breach response for more than two decades,” said Chris. “Increasingly, clients, their risk managers, boards, and insurers, rely upon the CIPP/US and CIPM credentials, so obtaining them and being designated an FIP became a professional goal. These designations represent years of dedication supporting the privacy and data security needs of banks and other financial institutions, large employers and other consumer-facing clients, and I am honored to have earned them.”
"Chris's designation as an FIP, and his CIPM and CIPP credentials allow us to convey quickly to clients Phelps’ ability to support them in all matters related to privacy compliance, policy development and incident response," said George Morris, Birmingham office managing partner. "These credentials showcase the firm's experience in these matters for firm clients ranging from banks and fintechs to insurance companies, manufacturers and health care providers. We congratulate Chris on receiving these well-deserved recognitions from the IAPP."
The FIP, CIPM and CIPP designations conferred by the IAPP are recognitions from the world’s largest and most comprehensive organization in the data privacy environment. It is considered the leading educational and certifying organization for information management and data privacy professionals.
About Phelps Dunbar
Phelps is a full-service law firm of more than 350 attorneys. We blend valuable traditions and progressive ideas to foster a culture of collaboration among our lawyers in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, and London. Our six core practice groups — admiralty, business, health care, insurance, labor and employment, and litigation — work together to offer clients a progressive, diverse practice and partnership that handles a broad range of sophisticated business needs regionally, nationally, and internationally.
