Pittsburgh-based law firm Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott LLC is facing a proposed class action lawsuit alleging negligence in safeguarding the personal information of approximately 9,400 Wheeling University alumni. The lawsuit claims that the firm failed to adequately protect sensitive data, leading to its exposure during a data breach in April 2025.
The breach was identified on May 20, 2025, following unauthorized access to an attorney’s computer on April 17, 2025. Subsequent investigations revealed that an external hacking incident had compromised sensitive information belonging to thousands of individuals. Affected parties were notified on June 18, 2025, and offered 12 months of complimentary credit monitoring services through Experian, including identity restoration support. ([slfla.com](https://slfla.com/data-breach/investigation-into-data-breach-at-eckert-seamans-cherin-mellott-llc/?utm_source=openai))
In response to the breach, Eckert Seamans reported to the Attorney General of Maine that personal identifiable information in its care may have been compromised in connection with its former legal representation of Wheeling Jesuit University, now known as Wheeling University. The firm launched an investigation to determine the nature of the incident and began mailing data breach notification letters to impacted individuals on June 18, 2025. ([straussborrelli.com](https://straussborrelli.com/2025/06/20/eckert-seamans-data-breach-investigation/?utm_source=openai))
This lawsuit adds to a series of legal challenges for Eckert Seamans. In August 2024, the firm faced a legal malpractice suit alleging unlawful distributions from marina operations without applying the funds toward unpaid loans and other obligations. ([law.com](https://www.law.com/njlawjournal/2024/08/06/am-law-200-firm-faces-3rd-legal-malpractice-suit-in-4-years-this-time-over-alleged-unlawful-distribution/?utm_source=openai)) Additionally, in March 2024, a proposed $45 million settlement related to the Par Funding litigation remained unresolved after multiple settlement conferences. ([law.com](https://www.law.com/thelegalintelligencer/2024/03/04/proposed-eckert-seamans-45m-settlement-remains-in-limbo/?utm_source=openai))
The current class action underscores the critical importance of robust data security measures within legal practices, especially when handling sensitive client information. As the case progresses, it will likely prompt further scrutiny of data protection protocols in the legal industry.
Pittsburgh-based law firm Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott LLC is facing a proposed class action lawsuit alleging negligence in safeguarding the personal information of approximately 9,400 Wheeling University alumni. The lawsuit claims that the firm failed to adequately protect sensitive data, leading to its exposure during a data breach in April 2025.
The breach was identified on May 20, 2025, following unauthorized access to an attorney’s computer on April 17, 2025. Subsequent investigations revealed that an external hacking incident had compromised sensitive information belonging to thousands of individuals. Affected parties were notified on June 18, 2025, and offered 12 months of complimentary credit monitoring services through Experian, including identity restoration support. ([slfla.com](https://slfla.com/data-breach/investigation-into-data-breach-at-eckert-seamans-cherin-mellott-llc/?utm_source=openai))
In response to the breach, Eckert Seamans reported to the Attorney General of Maine that personal identifiable information in its care may have been compromised in connection with its former legal representation of Wheeling Jesuit University, now known as Wheeling University. The firm launched an investigation to determine the nature of the incident and began mailing data breach notification letters to impacted individuals on June 18, 2025. ([straussborrelli.com](https://straussborrelli.com/2025/06/20/eckert-seamans-data-breach-investigation/?utm_source=openai))
This lawsuit adds to a series of legal challenges for Eckert Seamans. In August 2024, the firm faced a legal malpractice suit alleging unlawful distributions from marina operations without applying the funds toward unpaid loans and other obligations. ([law.com](https://www.law.com/njlawjournal/2024/08/06/am-law-200-firm-faces-3rd-legal-malpractice-suit-in-4-years-this-time-over-alleged-unlawful-distribution/?utm_source=openai)) Additionally, in March 2024, a proposed $45 million settlement related to the Par Funding litigation remained unresolved after multiple settlement conferences. ([law.com](https://www.law.com/thelegalintelligencer/2024/03/04/proposed-eckert-seamans-45m-settlement-remains-in-limbo/?utm_source=openai))
The current class action underscores the critical importance of robust data security measures within legal practices, especially when handling sensitive client information. As the case progresses, it will likely prompt further scrutiny of data protection protocols in the legal industry.