The IR playbook structure law firms keep getting wrong.
INC Ransom hit 20+ U.S. law firms in 2026. The ones that recovered cleanly had a tested IR playbook with specific sections most firms are missing. This is the table of contents — use it to audit whatever your firm has today.
- Full TOC of the playbook structure we use with law firms
- The 3 sections most firms are missing — called out explicitly
- Rule 1.6 and bar association alignment
- Court-deadline continuity protocols included
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Why this matters under Rule 1.6
Cybersecurity isn't just an IT issue for law firms — it's a professional duty under ABA Model Rule 1.6. When ransomware encrypts case files 48 hours before a court deadline, the bar association doesn't accept "we had a cyber incident" as an excuse. The firms that recover cleanly aren't the ones with the biggest budget. They're the ones with a tested, current playbook.
Communication Protocols by Stakeholder
How and when to brief the managing partner, the GC, affected clients, opposing counsel, and the court. Most firms have no written protocol.
Court Deadline Continuity
The decision tree for when to file for an extension, when to proceed from clean backups, and when the partnership has to make a judgment call.
Bar Notification Decision Tree
When the breach itself triggers a duty to notify the bar — and how to document the determination if you decide it doesn't.
Tested quarterly, not just written
A written playbook that's never been rehearsed is a liability, not a defense. The TOC includes the rehearsal cadence we run with our firm clients.
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Quick FAQ
The questions we get most often about this asset and what comes after.
No — this is the table of contents. The playbook itself is tailored per firm, because the right protocols depend on your size, practice areas, and existing infrastructure. The TOC gives you the framework to audit your own.
Yes — almost certainly. Most firms have a document called an "IR plan" that was written 2-3 years ago, never tested, and missing critical sections. Use the TOC to audit yours. If it's missing 3+ sections from our list, the conversation is worth having.
Yes. We run free legal-specific tabletop exercises twice per quarter for qualified firms — 90 minutes, confidential, no recording, no sales pitch. If you'd like to scope one, mention it when you reach out.
The structure scales from solo practitioners to AmLaw 200 firms. The reference implementation is sized for firms with 30-200 attorneys, but the framework applies broadly.
