Snapchat, the Los Angeles-based image-sharing app that famously turned down a $3 billion offer from Facebook and has been called the worst nightmare in history for school teachers has hired its first in-house lawyer.
The company tapped Hogan Lovells Washington D.C. Partner Christopher Handman as its new general counsel on the same day it announced new messaging and video features, May 1.
Founded in 2011, Snapchat allows users to send photos and videos that disappear a few seconds later. The decision to bring in a general counsel comes months after the company was hacked and the personal data of 4.6 million Snapchat users, including usernames and phone numbers, were leaked on New Years eve. Snapchat is popular for the ability of young people to send sexually related images without fear that the photos will be saved.
That situation has created concern about class action litigation.
Handman is a highly regarded appellate lawyer who joined legacy Hogan & Hartson in 2000. Hogan Lovells confirmed Handman’s departure to The Lawyer.
Christopher Handman is Snapchat’s new GC
