In May, the WannaCry ransomware attack infected hundreds of thousands of computers worldwide, and global Biglaw firms like DLA Piper were quick to tout their expertise in cybersecurity compliance, offering solutions for affected companies up to and including crisis management teams and even a 24/7 Rapid Response hotline. Today, it looks like the lawyers at DLA may have to dial their own number, because the firm was just hit by another quickly spreading ransomware attack called Petrwrap/Petya.
Here’s the message that was displayed across computer monitors at DLA Piper:
Calculate Your Firm’s Time-Saving Potential
Want more time for what matters most? MyCase streamlines your firm so you can focus on winning cases. See how much time you could save with our Law Firm Time Savings Calculator—try it now!
The Petrwrap/Petya attack seems to have originated at the firm’s office in Madrid, Spain. According to El Confidencial, a Spanish-language digital newspaper, all employees there were ordered to shut down their computers immediately and have been forbidden to send emails from firm computers or make calls from firm telephone lines. Almost everyone at the firm — even the IT department — has gone home thanks to the complete and total lockdown of their computers and phone systems. “Don’t think people are happy not to be at work,” one employee said. “Everything is going to have to be recovered.”
https://twitter.com/Bing_Chris/status/879714827685507072
Per Legal Week, the malware has since spread across firm’s offices, globally:
DLA’s phone system has not been working for much of the day and partners say they have been instructed to turn off their computers as a precaution. DLA offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and the US called by Legal Week all seem to have been affected, with some inside the firm saying email and phone systems have been affected with many systems now locked down as a precaution.
DLA said in a statement: “The firm, like many other reported companies, has experienced issues with some of its systems due to suspected malware. We are taking steps to remedy the issue as quickly as possible.”
Why Better Financial Acumen is the Key to Law Firm Success in 2025
From training to technology, uncover the essential steps to futureproof your law firm in a competitive market.
Best of luck to everyone at DLA Piper as they attempt to repair the damage that’s been done. If only the firm had followed its own advice, perhaps its lawyers could’ve been better prepared for the latest ransomware attack.
A new ‘ransomware’ attack paralyzes large companies around the world [El Confidencial]
DLA Piper hit by cyber attack with phones and computers down across the firm [Legal Week]
WannaCry ransomware attack was just the tip of the iceberg [DLA Piper]
Earlier: Is Your Firm Vulnerable To The Recent Ransomware Attack?
Staci Zaretsky has been an editor at Above the Law since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments. You can follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.