Mullen Coughlin, Cybersecurity & Data Privacy

Mullen Coughlin LLC further strengthens its international Incident Response (IR) practice by welcoming George Chaisty as Senior Partner in London. Noted for being “an absolute standout practitioner in cyber incident response,” George brings a proven track record of providing effective and efficient international Breach Counsel services to organizations across the globe.

“As a longtime admirer of the Firm, I am absolutely delighted to be joining MC UK and the extended Mullen Coughlin team,” said George. “I am particularly thrilled at the prospect of being able to work alongside the best data privacy lawyers in the industry and provide the best IR offering in the global market for organizations responding to data privacy and security incidents, as well as for the broader cyber insurance ecosystem of carriers, brokers, insureds, and industry partners.”

George has handled hundreds of data privacy and security incident investigations on behalf of international organizations with legal and regulatory implications in over 100 global jurisdictions, including business-halting ransomware attacks, large-scale business email compromises (BECs) and fraudulent wire transfers, and other unauthorized or inadvertent network intrusions. He has an adept understanding of international data protection and privacy laws and regulations, including the UK/EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Throughout his career, George completed legal secondments at two (2) global insurance carriers, shaping his lawyering skills and providing him with invaluable cyber claims and IR experience used in his practice today.

Prior to joining MC UK, George was a Partner at a UK-based global law firm on their Cyber and Data Risk team. He is a frequent speaker at industry-wide conferences across the UK, EU, and U.S., and is often asked to present on topics relevant to incident response such as cyber risk awareness, digital forensics, ransomware, and general data privacy and protection.

“Since the foundation of our London office and International practice two years ago, our focus has been on innovative and responsive counsel for clients facing global cyber issues,” said MC UK Managing Partner Cameron Carr. “George’s expertise enhances our team’s deep expertise of cross-border lawyers.”

The addition of George reflects our continued commitment to attracting the most talented and respected professionals in the data privacy and cybersecurity field,” Mullen Coughlin Managing Member Jennfier A. Coughlin adds. “His extensive experience, trusted reputation, and forward-thinking approach makes him a natural fit for our team, and we are confident that his contributions will further enhance the unparalleled depth and strength of the Firm.”

Mullen Coughlin is excited to participate in WTW’s Women in Cyber Insurance Conference this June in New Orleans. Partner Angelina Freind speaks alongside cyber industry leaders on the panel session, “The New Privacy Frontier: Emerging Privacy Risks & Exposures.”

Alongside cyber insurance professionals from WTW, Beazley, and AXIS Capital, the panel explores the latest trends in data privacy and cybersecurity law, explores associated legal and regulatory risks involved, and discusses best practices for managing high-exposure first- and third-party claims.

The Women in Cyber Insurance Conference is designed for industry women and allies to come together to foster mentorship, cultivate talent, and share best practices and insights to grow their professional and personal lives. Learn more here.

Mullen Coughlin continues its growth of its Litigation practice by welcoming experienced litigator MaryEllen Conroy as a Partner. With over 30 years of litigation experience in U.S. state and federal courts nationwide, most recently as a Partner in the Philadelphia office of a full-service law firm, MaryEllen possesses significant experience in handling complex and high-exposure litigation defense matters on behalf of organizations of all sizes and from all industry sectors. At Mullen Coughlin, MaryEllen will leverage her substantial legal skills to defend organizations against data breach, data privacy, and data security claims, and provide strategic legal counsel to Firm clients. MaryEllen is based in Mullen Coughlin’s Devon, PA headquarters, and is licensed to practice in Pennsylvania, Florida, and New Jersey.

“I am flattered to have been afforded the opportunity to become a productive member of the Mullen Coughlin team, the pioneer firm specializing in data privacy and security law,” said MaryEllen. “I look forward to helping organizations navigate their complex legal needs both inside and outside of the court room.”

MaryEllen is also a court-appointed mediator for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, having completed formal mediation training in 2016, wherein she is retained by both plaintiff and defense counsel to sit as a private mediator in catastrophic loss cases. She also has served as Judge pro tem in the County of Philadelphia for over 25 years. Prior to joining Mullen Coughlin, MaryEllen was a shareholding partner in the Philadelphia office of a law firm focusing on general liability litigation.

“MaryEllen is an exceptional attorney and a distinguished litigator whose reputation precedes her,” said Litigation Practice Group Chair Carolyn Purwin Ryan. “Her deep expertise in trial work elevates an already formidable team, bringing with her a level of skill and courtroom mastery that is truly unmatched.”

MaryEllen received her J.D. from Widener University Delaware Law School and a B.S. from Drexel University. In addition to her admission to PA, FL, and NJ, state courts, she is also licensed to practice in the U.S.D.C. for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

“With her reputation, experience, and strategic insight on complex litigation matters, MaryEllen is an extraordinary addition to our 29-attorney litigation team,” said Managing Member Jennifer A. Coughlin. “With MaryEllen, Mullen Coughlin remains at the forefront of providing organizations with innovative, responsive, and unmatched counsel in the complex and ever-evolving realm of data breach and privacy litigation.”