Leslie Weinstein

Leslie Weinstein is an attorney, former cybersecurity executive, and national security professional who advises organizations operating at the intersection of law, technology, and national security. Drawing on two decades of governmental and commercial experience spanning the Department of Defense (DoD), the intelligence community (IC), Big Four consulting, global financial services, and the defense industrial base (DIB), she counsels clients on cybersecurity, privacy, federal regulatory compliance, and enterprise risk in highly regulated environments. Her multidisciplinary background uniquely positions her to bridge legal, technical, operational, and policy considerations when advising executives and organizations facing complex cybersecurity and compliance challenges.

Leslie's practice focuses on representing government contractors, technology companies, cloud service providers, digital manufacturers, and financial institutions on matters involving cybersecurity governance, risk, and compliance (GRC); privacy; Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI); and evolving federal cybersecurity requirements. She regularly advises clients on NIST SP 800-171, the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), CUI identification and designation, cybersecurity compliance strategy, risk management frameworks, and the legal and operational implications of federal acquisition and national security regulations.

Before entering legal practice, Leslie served in executive cybersecurity leadership roles where she designed, implemented, and governed enterprise cybersecurity programs for globally regulated organizations. She also advised numerous defense contractors on cybersecurity compliance, CMMC readiness, and federal regulatory obligations, and, as a government contractor, supported both the Department of Defense Chief Information Officer (DoD CIO) and the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (OUSD(A&S)) on cybersecurity policy and acquisition initiatives.

In parallel with her civilian career, Leslie has served as an Army Intelligence Officer with cyber operations experience supporting US Cyber Command missions, providing operational insights at the intersection of intelligence, cyberspace operations, and national security. Her legal education, combined with her technical, operational, military, and policy background, enables her to interpret complex statutory, regulatory, and contractual frameworks while delivering practical, defensible, and business-focused solutions to organizations operating in high-risk environments.

Beyond her legal practice, Leslie is a frequent speaker on cybersecurity, privacy, federal contracting, CMMC, and CUI. She also serves as an adjunct lecturer at Columbia University, where she teaches Enterprise Risk Management, and regularly contributes thought leadership on emerging issues affecting cybersecurity, national security, and the defense industrial base.