It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our partner and our dear friend, Jim Prendergast. A founding member of Mullen Coughlin, Jim has always been a big and important presence in the firm and will be deeply missed by all who were blessed to know him.

Jim was not just a great attorney, helping build the very practice of data privacy and security law as we know it today, he was a generous mentor and role model that inspired all of us to follow his lead in this new area of law. Usually the first one in the office and very often the last one to leave, Jim thrived on hard work and greeted every challenge with confidence. With his big personality and booming, infectious laugh, Jim kept his office door closed so that he wouldn’t interrupt others around him, but he made sure everyone knew all were always welcome to walk right in without a knock. Faith and family were the center of his heart, but his heart was big enough to welcome so many of us to be a part of that family. Truly loved and respected, both professionally and personally, we will cherish the memories of our Prendie, our Ole Buddy, and always remember the happiness he brought and example he left for us all to emulate.

Jim’s practice was focused on representing clients who have experienced a data compromise and clients with data privacy issues. He represented clients with high profile, national exposure data compromises, including many clients who suffered an exposure of credit card data as a result of criminal hacking or unintentional exposure. Jim also represented numerous colleges and universities, which have been the victims of cyber attacks and other data events. He provided counsel to his clients from day one of the compromise until compliance is accomplished. Jim worked on a daily basis with federal and state regulators, federal and local law enforcement officials, issuing and acquiring banks and the credit card industry. In addition, Jim assisted clients with HIPAA compromise and compliance issues, preparation of incident response plans and other data privacy consulting issues. Jim was also a frequent speaker on data privacy and data security matters.

Jim has presented with, and to, brokers from:

• AJ Gallagher
• AXIS Pro
• Berkley Cyber Risk Solutions
• Crystal & Company
• Lockton
• Marsh & McLennan
• USI Insurance Services, Inc.
• Willis Group Holdings

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS & PRESENTATIONS

• “Cyber Exercise,” Axis Cyber INCYE New York Conference, New York, NY, April 24, 2019
• “The Forthright Real Time Reality of Global Cyber Crime, Cybersecurity & Cyber Risk and Their Impact Around the World,” Tech360 Conference, Malvern, PA, November 18, 2018
• “Role and Duties of Privacy Counsel in a Ransomware Event,” Fall 2018 Chapter Meeting of The Philadelphia Alliance of InfraGard, Norristown, PA, October 19, 2018
•  “Disaster Recovery Exercise: Ransomware Response,” Government Agency, June 1, 2018.
• “GDPR: What To Do In The Last Few Days,” 2018 Cyber Risk Insight Conference, Chicago, Illinois, May 23, 2018
• “The European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR),” Continuing Legal Education, Wayne, PA, April 25, 2018
• “Cyber War Games: Data Breach Incident Tabletop Exercise,” University Risk Management and Insurance Association (URMIA) 2018 Central Regional Conference, Chicago, IL, February 27, 2018
• “Cyber Extortion Event – Ransom Payment & Bitcoin,” International Insurer, Jersey City, NJ, December 6, 2017
•  “Global Cybersecurity Issues and Treads,” Tech360 Conference, Malvern, PA, November 16, 2017
• “Cyber Risk,” The Philadelphia Area Independent School Business Insurance Group (PAISBIG), Radnor, PA, November 15, 2017
• “Cyber Extortion Event – Ransom Payment & Bitcoin,” International Insurer, October 12, 2017
• “Managing Your Firms’ Current and Future Cyber Risk and Understanding Coverage Issues that Can Arise,” Virtual, September 19, 2017
• “Cyber Security Walkthrough Scenario,” International Insurer, July 12, 2017
• “Cyber Risk Management Solutions,” Cyber Risk Management Solutions, Newport, CT, April 11, 2017
• “Demystifying the Breach,” CLM 2017 Annual Conference, Nashville, TN, March 30, 2017
• “Cyber Liability – The Best & Worst Case Scenarios,” Association for Biblical Higher Education Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL, February 9, 2017
• “Data Breach Response,” Experian Vision Conference, Scottsdale, AZ, May 18, 2016
• “PCI Day – O&A,” Multinational Insurer, New York, NY, April 7, 2016
• “State of the Industry,” Finance Committee Board Meeting, Arlington, VA, January 8, 2016
• “Changing The Cyber Risk Game,” International Insurer, Virtual, January 2, 2017
• “Data Security and Companywide Impact,” Private Merchant Advisory Board Meeting, Atlanta, GA, November 4, 2015
• “Cyber Security Exposures and Solutions for the Transportation Industry,” 2015 TIDA Convention, San Antonio, TX, October 28, 2015
• “Cyber 101 and Beyond,” National Insurer, New York, NY, October 15, 2015
• “Cyber Improv,” 2015 Business Insurance Cyber Risk Summit, San Francisco, CA, September 29, 2015
• “Credit Card Security in the Mobile Marketplace,” National Association of Wholesalers Conference, Chicago, IL, May 6, 2015
• “Managing Cyber Risk in A Rapidly Changing Landscape,” Florida College System Risk Management Consortium, Gainesville, FL, April 8, 2015
• “Cyber Security – How to Keep a Secret, Secret,” IAPP Global Privacy Summit, Washington, DC, March 5, 2015
• “Data Privacy (Cyber): Companywide Business Impacts,” 2015 MAG Mid-Year Conference, Dallas, TX, February 17, 2015
• “Cyber Security – How to Keep a Secret, Secret,” IAGA International Gaming Summit, Philadelphia, PA, October 30, 2014
• “Cyber Preparedness Breakfast Workshop,” International Insurance and Risk Management Provider, Houston, TX, October 14, 2014
• “Cyber Risks and What to Do When Breached,” Southwest Benefits Association 391′ Annual Conference, Lost Pines, TX, May 9, 2014
• “Into the Breach, Planning for and Responding To A Privacy Event,” International Insurance Broker, Boston, MA, April 3, 2014
• “Into the Breach, Planning for and Responding To A Privacy Event,” International Insurance Broker, Philadelphia, PA, April 1, 2014
• “Cyber Risk – Threats, Loss Control, Liability & Claims,” Commercial Insurance and Employee Benefits Broker, March 4, 2014, Kansas City, KS