When law firm owners list their top business concerns, the usual suspects come to mind—client satisfaction, billable hours, staffing, compliance. But topping the list again this year?
Cyberattacks.
According to the 2025 Allianz Risk Barometer, “cyber incidents” have been ranked the number one risk to businesses globally for the fourth year in a row. That includes everything from ransomware attacks to data breaches—and law firms are right in the crosshairs.
If you’re running a small or mid-sized firm in Los Angeles, it’s worth asking: how exposed are you?
What Exactly Is a “Cyber Incident”?
“Cyber incident” is a broad term, but it basically means any situation where your systems or data are compromised due to malicious activity. That includes:
- Ransomware: Your files are locked, and hackers demand payment to get them back.
- Phishing attacks: Someone in your office clicks a convincing link and unknowingly hands over access to your systems.
- Data breaches: Sensitive client information—like social security numbers, contracts, or legal strategies—gets stolen or leaked.
- Third-party compromise: A vendor or partner you rely on gets hit, and it ripples into your network.
- Denial-of-service attacks: Your systems are overwhelmed and knocked offline.
These aren’t just IT problems. They’re business disruptions, and in law, that translates to reputation damage, compliance headaches, and lost revenue.
Why Law Firms Make Great Targets (Unfortunately)
Let’s be honest. Law firms deal with valuable information that hackers would love to get their hands on:
- Confidential client communications
- Case files and litigation strategies
- M&A documents and intellectual property
- Financial and personally identifiable information
And that’s just scratching the surface. To a cybercriminal, this data is gold, and your firm is a vault. A vault that, in many cases, isn’t as secure as it should be.
Here’s the part that often gets overlooked: clients expect you to protect their data. Even if you weren’t the one behind the attack, they’ll hold you accountable for how you prepared (or didn’t).
Why Los Angeles Firms Need to Pay Attention
L.A. firms are in a unique position. You’re not just dealing with run-of-the-mill client matters. Many of you handle entertainment, real estate, tech, or corporate cases, high-profile, high-sensitivity work.
That adds up to:
- Higher stakes: The more valuable the data, the more aggressive the attackers.
- More moving parts: Remote staff, multiple devices, cloud tools, and outside vendors all add complexity.
- Stricter regulations: California privacy laws like CCPA mean you’re not just worried about breaches—you’re worried about legal consequences if one happens.
If your firm isn’t proactively managing cybersecurity, you’re not just behind… You’re exposed.
What Can You Actually Do About Cyber Attacks?
You don’t need a massive IT department to protect your firm. But you do need a solid plan. Here’s where to start:
1. Get a Cybersecurity Assessment
A good first step is to identify your weak spots. Many firms don’t realize just how vulnerable they are until someone shows them. An assessment gives you a clear picture, and a place to begin.
2. Add Layers of Protection
Think of cybersecurity like securing your office building. You wouldn’t rely on just one lock.
- Use multi-factor authentication on everything
- Invest in endpoint detection and response (EDR) to monitor for threats
- Train your staff on spotting phishing attempts
- Have secure backup systems in place in case of ransomware
3. Build an Incident Response Plan
Hope for the best. Prepare for the worst. A clear plan helps you act fast if something does happen; reducing downtime, containing damage, and showing clients you’re in control.
The Final Verdict
Cyberattacks aren’t some distant, hypothetical risk anymore. They’re happening daily to firms of every size. And as the Allianz report shows, businesses are waking up to that reality.
If your clients are trusting you with their most sensitive information, they’re also trusting you to keep it safe. And in a city like Los Angeles, where competition is high and reputation matters, your cybersecurity posture could be the deciding factor between keeping or losing a client.
So ask yourself: Are you confident in your firm’s ability to protect what matters most?