Mullen Coughlin, Cybersecurity & Data Privacy

Texas-based litigator, Kayleigh Watson, has been elevated to Partner. An experienced litigator, Kayleigh has consistently been called upon to counsel organizations in the context of data breach and privacy class action litigation and is committed to finding novel and creative solutions to best serve her clients’ interests.

“We could not be more proud to announce Kayleigh as a Partner. She has an incredible ability to take complex issues, simplify and distill them, and give smart, thoughtful, and practical guidance,” said Carolyn Purwin Ryan, Chair of the Litigation practice group. “Her judgment, analysis, and commitment to her clients have made her an invaluable part of our team, and this promotion is incredibly well deserved. We are thrilled to celebrate this next chapter with her.”

Amanda Harvey, Litigation Partner and Kayleigh’s Firm mentor said, “I had the incredible privilege of being the very first attorney Kayleigh worked with – even before Kayleigh knew she passed the bar. Mentoring Kayleigh, and now seeing this promotion, is one of the best moments of my career, and I am truly grateful to have had a front-row seat for all her growth.” Partner David Moncure noted, “Kayleigh is a consummate learner, always wanting to understand underlining law and process, and is an equally great teacher when others need help.” “We could not be more excited for what comes next, or more honored to practice law side-by-side with Kayleigh as one of our partners,” Amanda added.

“Kayleigh has been, and remains, instrumental in developing our nationwide Litigation practice,” said Mullen Coughlin Managing Member Jennifer Coughlin. “Her promotion is a direct result of her commitment to data privacy law, Mullen Coughlin, and the wider legal ecosystem.”

Kayleigh’s promotion is a direct translation of the investment we make into our team, developing them to take on more complex roles within the Firm and for them to become the next generation of Mullen Coughlin leaders. Congratulations Kaileigh on this great professional achievement!

Mullen Coughlin LLC is participating in the 2^nd Annual Emerging Technologies ExecuSummit, held November 4-5 in Uncasville, CT. Partner Angelina Freind will present during the panel session, “From MetaGlasses to Flock: The Latest in IoT Technology and Privacy Considerations,” alongside privacy lawyers Kathryn Rattigan (Robinson + Cole) and Jamie Filipovic (O’Hagan Meyer).

This session will examine the growing use and acceptance of “Internet of Things” technology, like AI-enabled smart devices and other automated and Internet-connected products and infrastructure. Angie will provide insights into the privacy considerations these technologies raise, and how organizations can develop strategies to address the legal and regulatory implications of using them.

Learn more here.

Mullen Coughlin is proud to participate in Aon’s 2026 Law Firm Symposium, held in Boca Raton, FL from October 28-30. This symposium is the premier loss prevention event for large and sophisticated law firms and their insurer partners. On October 29, Managing Member Jennifer A. Coughlin joins the panel, “After the Breach: Real World Lessons from Law Firm Cyber Events.”

As law firms continue to face regulatory, operational, and reputational challenges arising from cyber incidents like ransomware attacks, business email compromises, and vendor breaches, the hours, days, and weeks that follow require a series of critical decisions. Moderated by Aon’s Brian Gillin, Jenn and a panel of legal professionals discuss the lifecycle of law firm data privacy and security incidents, including detection and containment; client, regulator, and law enforcement reporting; and ransom negotiations.

Learn more about Aon’s Law Firm Symposium here.