Mullen Coughlin Adds Veteran Litigator Amid Surge in Data Privacy Suits

DEVON, Pa. – May 12, 2026 – In a significant move that underscores the escalating stakes in data privacy law, specialist firm Mullen Coughlin LLC has announced the addition of MaryEllen Conroy as a Partner. The hire brings a seasoned litigator with over three decades of courtroom experience to a firm positioned at the epicenter of cybersecurity and data breach defense.

Conroy’s arrival at the Devon-based headquarters is not merely a routine personnel change; it is a strategic reinforcement of the firm’s litigation capabilities at a time when organizations are facing an unprecedented wave of legal challenges related to data security. She will focus on defending clients against complex data breach, privacy, and security claims, leveraging a career built on handling high-exposure litigation.

"I am flattered to have been afforded the opportunity to become a productive member of the Mullen Coughlin team, the pioneer firm specializing in data privacy and security law," said Conroy in a statement. "I look forward to helping organizations navigate their complex legal needs both inside and outside of the court room."

A Strategic Power Play in a Litigious Era

The decision to bring in a litigator of Conroy's caliber reflects a calculated response to a volatile market. The field of data privacy litigation has exploded in recent years. From 2020 to 2024, the number of data privacy cases surged by 77%, and federal courts now see over 2,500 new data privacy class actions filed annually—a 300% increase since 2015. Data breach class actions specifically have seen a dramatic rise, nearly doubling between 2021 and 2022 and climbing to 1,320 filings in 2023 alone.

This litigation boom makes specialized defense counsel more critical than ever. Mullen Coughlin, which has carved out a niche by focusing exclusively on data privacy and security law, is positioning itself to meet this demand. The firm's reputation as a leader in the cyber insurance and legal community is well-established, underscored by its recent recognition as the 2025 Zywave "Cyber Law Firm of the Year." Conroy’s addition expands the firm's dedicated litigation team to 29 attorneys, enhancing its capacity to manage a growing and complex caseload.

"With her reputation, experience, and strategic insight on complex litigation matters, MaryEllen is an extraordinary addition to our 29-attorney litigation team," said Managing Member Jennifer A. Coughlin. "With MaryEllen, Mullen Coughlin remains at the forefront of providing organizations with innovative, responsive, and unmatched counsel in the complex and ever-evolving realm of data breach and privacy litigation."

A Seasoned Litigator for Modern Threats

MaryEllen Conroy is the embodiment of the modern cyber litigator: a professional whose deep-rooted trial experience is being redeployed to confront cutting-edge technological and legal challenges. With over 30 years of experience in U.S. state and federal courts, her background is not in technology but in the trenches of complex, high-stakes defense work.

Prior to joining Mullen Coughlin, Conroy was a shareholding partner at the Philadelphia office of Cipriani & Werner, where she focused on general liability litigation. Her record includes defending professionals in negligence cases, handling complex construction and municipality litigation, and acting as defense counsel in a major products liability case that resulted in a $6.5 million settlement—experience that demonstrates her capability in managing high-exposure matters.

This extensive background in traditional litigation is augmented by unique judicial and mediation experience. For over 25 years, Conroy has served as a Judge pro tem in the County of Philadelphia. She is also a court-appointed mediator for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, a role that requires a nuanced understanding of resolving catastrophic loss cases from both plaintiff and defense perspectives.

This blend of skills is precisely what the firm believes will give it an edge. Carolyn Purwin Ryan, Chair of the Litigation Practice Group, noted Conroy’s unique value. "MaryEllen is an exceptional attorney and a distinguished litigator whose reputation precedes her," Ryan stated. "Her deep expertise in trial work elevates an already formidable team, bringing with her a level of skill and courtroom mastery that is truly unmatched."

Navigating a Fragmented Legal Landscape

Conroy joins the firm at a critical inflection point for data privacy law in the United States. The legal landscape is becoming increasingly fragmented and treacherous for businesses to navigate. By the end of 2025, 16 states will have their own comprehensive privacy laws in effect, creating a patchwork of compliance obligations that often conflict and lack uniformity.

Furthermore, plaintiffs' attorneys are employing increasingly novel legal theories. Class action lawsuits frequently target the use of common web-tracking technologies like pixels and session replay tools, alleging violations of decades-old wiretapping statutes. Biometric privacy laws, such as Illinois' influential Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA), continue to spawn costly litigation, while the rise of artificial intelligence has opened a new frontier of legal risk related to data scraping and processing without consent.

Defending against these claims requires not only technological savvy but also a sophisticated understanding of how to apply, and argue against, established legal doctrines in new contexts. An experienced trial attorney like Conroy, licensed in Pennsylvania, Florida, and New Jersey and admitted to practice in federal appellate courts, is equipped to challenge these novel theories both before and during trial. The firm's role extends beyond simply defending individual lawsuits; its attorneys are actively shaping the legal precedents and standards of care that will govern corporate data security practices for years to come.