Cybersecurity is becoming more important for the legal industry as more and more lawsuits involve large volumes of sensitive data. This is particularly true for multidistrict litigations (MDLs), which have become increasingly common in recent years. It is estimated that there are approximately 457,000 civil actions pending on MDL dockets, which represents approximately 67% of all pending civil litigation, throughout the United States, as of Dec. 31, 2023 (this information was computed from statistical reports from Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation and U.S. District Courts—Civil Statistics Tables for the Federal Judiciary).

MDLs can pose unique challenges for cybersecurity litigators as MDLs often involve large volumes of data that may be consolidated from disparate sources. This article examines some key cybersecurity considerations for attorneys that are part of an MDL.

What Makes MDLs Unique