Mullen Coughlin, Cybersecurity & Data Privacy

Cybersecurity & Data Privacy

Mullen Coughlin LLC is a law firm uniquely dedicated exclusively to representing organizations facing data privacy events, information security incidents, and the need to address these risks before a crisis hits. Founded by John Mullen, Jennifer Coughlin, Jim Prendergast, and Chris DiIenno, our team of accessible and motivated attorneys have handled thousands of events and possess experience and talent in data breach response, regulatory investigation defense, pre-breach planning and compliance, and privacy litigation defense unmatched in the industry.

Meet Our Team

  • Richard J. Aponte-Boyd Partner
    (267) 930-4888

    Richard Aponte-Boyd focuses his practice on data privacy, network security and incident response. Working with clients in all industry sectors, […]

    Read More
  • C DiIenno Christopher J. DiIenno Partner
    (267) 930-4775

    Christopher Dilenno is a founding partner of Mullen Coughlin. He focuses his practice on assisting clients in data privacy and […]

    Read More
  • Elizabeth Dill Partner
    (267) 930-5327

    Elizabeth (Liz) Dill, CIPP/US is a Partner at Mullen Coughlin, located in Richmond, Virginia. She focuses her practice on counseling […]

    Read More
  • Kevin E. Dolan Partner
    (267) 930-4861

    Kevin E. Dolan is a Partner at Mullen Coughlin and an experienced data privacy and incident response attorney. He focuses […]

    Read More
  • E Finn Edward J. Finn Partner
    (267) 930-4776

    Ed Finn assists clients with ensuring compliance with a wide variety of data privacy rules, statutes and regulations, including the […]

    Read More
  • B Fox Brian F. Fox Partner
    (267) 930-4777

    Brian Fox focuses his practice on privacy and data security matters, helping clients navigate the various state, federal and international laws that govern the protection of data. When a privacy event occurs, he assists clients with locating the source of the breach, identifies affected individuals and prepares the legally required notice to individuals and regulatory officials.

    Read More
  • A Freind Angelina W. Freind Partner
    (267) 930-4782

    Angelina Freind is a Partner with Mullen Coughlin, LLC. Ms. Freind assists clients with the preparation for and response to data security incidents.

    Read More
  • Paulyne Gardner Partner
    (267) 930-2098

    As a Partner in Mullen Coughlin’s Litigation practice, Paulyne handles all aspects of data privacy and security class actions, third-party […]

    Read More
  • S. Chandler Harris Partner
    (267) 930-1290

    Chandler Harris is a Partner at Mullen Coughlin. Mr. Harris’s practice focuses on counseling clients through privacy and cybersecurity matters […]

    Read More
  • Amanda Harvey Partner
    (267) 930-1697

    Amanda Harvey is a Partner at Mullen Coughlin and focuses her practice on providing organizations of all sizes and from […]

    Read More

Firm News & Events

World Password Day

May 4 is World Password Day – a day to promote better password habits!

As the leader in data privacy and information security law, Mullen Coughlin recognizes the importance of good password hygiene and its benefits in not only protecting yours and your organization’s sensitive or protected data, but also in its consideration when procuring cyber insurance and as a mitigating effect to potential data privacy and security incidents. 

Partner Kevin Dolan, Co-Chair of Mullen Coughlin’s Advisory Compliance practice, provides the below best practices for better password hygiene and management:

1. Use a strong and complex password that is at least 12 characters long, using a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols;

2. Use unique passwords for each account and change those passwords regularly (at least once every 3 months);

3. Enable and use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for an added layer of protection;

4. Do not store passwords on public networks or devices, and if possible, do not save them on your computer, mobile device or internet browsers; Instead, use an encrypted password management app; and

5. Keep all your devices and software up-to-date to protect yourself from vulnerabilities that can lead to unauthorized access to your accounts/data or attempts to steal/harvest your password(s).

Good password hygiene is an important step in pre-incident data privacy and information security planning and management, and is oftentimes considered when organizations are faced with litigation or regulatory investigation that stems from a data privacy and security incident.

Mullen Coughlin is available to assists organizations with a full range of pre-incident planning initiatives through our Advisory Compliance services. Contact us 24/7/365 at 267.930.4770 or email at .

Read More

Cyber: Prepare, Prevent, Mitigate, Restore

Continuing Mullen Coughlin’s partnership with Travelers and the Travelers Institute, Managing Member Jennifer Coughlin joins regional directors from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) for the Charlotte, NC program of the Travelers Institute’s “Cyber: Prepare, Prevent, Mitigate, Restore” series of national educational symposiums on May 23, 2023.

Jenn, along with Travelers’ VP and Enterprise Cyber Lead Tim Francis and CISA’s Region 4 Regional Director Julius Gamble, will share her experience and perspectives on data privacy and security risk management gleaned from Mullen Coughlin’s collective experience in responding to, and investigating, over 25,000 data privacy and security incidents. The panel also discusses the importance of developing comprehensive cybersecurity strategies that encompass prevention, detection, response and recovery.

Learn more and register to attend on the Travelers Institute event page.

Read More

Jennifer Coughlin Named Member of “Incident Response 50” by Cybersecurity Docket

Mullen Coughlin Co-Founder and Managing Member, Jennifer Coughlin, was announced as a member of Cybersecurity Docket’s “Incident Response 50” at the 2023 Incident Response Forum Masterclass on April 20, 2023.

The “Incident Response 50” is a list of the 50 best data breach response lawyers from the top firms in data privacy and security, including Mullen Coughlin. This is Jennifer’s sixth time being listed as a top data breach response lawyer, having been honored in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

Jennifer’s inclusion on the list is a testament to her continued leadership in the industry and Mullen Coughlin’s success in responding to, and investigating, over 25,000 incidents since 2016. This recognition follows her being named the recipient of the “Cyber Person of the Year – USA” award at the 2022 Zywave Cyber Risk Awards last June and Mullen Coughlin being named for the third time as “Cyber Law Firm of the Year.”

Congratulations, Jennifer!

Read More

© Mullen Coughlin. Attorney Advertising Notice: Information contained in this Web site may be considered attorney advertising. The material and information contained on these pages is intended to provide general information only and not legal advice. You should consult with an attorney licensed to practice in your jurisdiction before relying upon any of the information presented here. You are advised that the acts of sending e-mail to or view or downloading information from this website does not create an attorney-client relationship. Disclaimer | Sitemap