BigLaw partners' emails were reportedly hacked by people tied to Chinese government
Evidence suggests that hackers with ties to the Chinese government tried to access the emails of partners at several large U.S. law firms last year and sometimes succeeded, according to a Fortune magazine story that relies on unidentified sources.
Hackers tried to access data at several law firms, Fortune reports. They include two law firms previously identified in a March Wall Street Journal article about hacking: Cravath Swaine & Moore and Weil Gotshal & Manges. (Cravath had said the breach was limited and it was unaware of any information being used improperly.)
Hackers also tried to obtain information from Cleary Gottlieb; Mayer Brown; Latham & Watkins; Covington & Burling; and Davis Polk & Wardell, according to Fortune. Some of the firms were able to prevent the hackers from stealing or accessing the information, however. The law firms declined to comment when contacted by Fortune.
The type of law firm partners targeted suggests a possible economic motive, according to Fortune. Their practice areas included mergers and acquisitions and intellectual property.
A federal investigation is ongoing.
Hat tip to Above the Law.
