When the Breach Hits the Docket: How Law Firms Should Respond When Client Files Leak to the Dark Web

When a law firm experiences a data breach, which includes both unauthorized data access as well as disclosure, the consequences extend far beyond reputational harm. Increasingly, attackers exfiltrate entire client files—including documents filed under seal or protected by attorney–client privilege—and post them on the dark web. Once that happens, courts can’t “unring the bell,” and firms must navigate a complex mix of ethical duties, procedural obligations, and legal protections….
By: Mandelbaum Barrett PC