Craig Newman, who led the data privacy practice at Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler, died Wednesday morning after a battle with cancer. He was 61.

Newman worked at several prominent law firms and was a co-managing partner at Richards Kibbe & Orbe before he joined Patterson Belknap in 2015. People who knew him remarked on his high-profile legal career, including how he became a trailblazer in cybersecurity law. He was also described him as a caring mentor and friend.