Do I need cybersecurity if I’m a solo attorney?

You didn’t hang your own shingle to become an IT expert.

You did it to serve clients your way. To build something of your own. But between court dates, intake calls, and billing, there’s a creeping risk that doesn’t show up on your calendar: the quiet, relentless threat of cybercrime.

Hackers don’t care that you’re a solo or a small practice. In fact, that’s exactly why they target you. Less red tape. Fewer defenses. More access to sensitive data like immigration records, ID numbers, and personal histories.

And if you think you’re too small to be on their radar? That’s what they’re counting on.

46% of all digital data breaches happen to businesses with 1,000 or fewer employees that includes solo practitioners and small firms like yours 25% of firms have been breached — take steps to mitigate the risks at your firm

Why Small Law Firms Are Prime Targets.

Cybercriminals aren’t just going after the big guys anymore. Why? Because solo practitioners and small firms are less likely to have enterprise-level security, but more likely to store highly sensitive, valuable data.

27% of law firms, across the board, have reported a security breach, and law offices are 5x more likely to be targeted than many other industries Law Firms Five Times More Likely to be Targeted by Cyberattacks | TPx

Especially immigration lawyers and solo practitioners handling Personal Identifiable Information (PII) like:

Passport numbers
Social Security Numbers
Visa application records
Addresses, employment details, and more

This data isn’t just valuable—it’s irreplaceable. And when it falls into the wrong hands, it becomes a weapon.

Here’s the kicker: You don’t need to be “bad with tech” to fall victim to an attack. You just need to be busy and confident enough to let your guard down.

The False Confidence Trap

Let’s be honest. You probably trust your own instincts. Maybe you even think:

“I’d never click on a phishing email. I know what those look like.”

But guess what? Most professionals who fall for scams said the exact same thing. Studies show:

86% of employees believe they can spot a phishing attempt
But over 50% have been tricked anyway

Why? Because today’s attacks don’t come with poor grammar and a Nigerian prince. They look like:

✅ A DocuSign request from your client
✅ A billing invoice from your practice management software
✅ A Dropbox link from your assistant

Even emails that look like they’re from you.

Real-World Example: The “Oops” That Cost Thousands

We worked with a solo immigration lawyer—let’s call her “J.” She received what looked like a routine update from a client. It had the client’s name, case reference, even previous email history.

She clicked.

The attachment installed malware that quietly harvested data for days. Before she knew it, dozens of client files were exfiltrated and listed for sale on the dark web.

One “oops” moment turned into:

A full internal investigation
Frantic client notifications
Damaged trust
And yes, legal consequences

What Can You Do About It?

You don’t need a massive IT budget to protect your practice. But you do need to take action.

1. Stop Assuming You’re Safe

Cybersecurity isn’t about intelligence—it’s about awareness. The Dunning-Kruger effect is real: the more confident someone is, the more likely they are to miss a threat.

2. Treat Every Email Like a Court Filing

Would you submit a filing without reading it thoroughly? Apply the same scrutiny to emails, links, attachments, and unexpected messages.

Pro Tip: Hover over links before clicking. If something feels off, it probably is.

3. Protect PII Like It’s Gold

Because it is. Use encrypted storage. Don’t send sensitive client data over regular email. Set up multi-factor authentication (MFA) on everything—yes, even your calendar app.

4. Train Your Team (Even If “Your Team” Is Just You)

Phishing awareness isn’t a one-and-done thing. Run mock phishing emails. Review real-world scam examples. Stay alert to new tactics.

5. Make Security Part of the Culture

Encourage your staff—no matter how small your firm is—to report anything weird. Create an environment where people don’t feel silly asking, “Is this real?”

The Real Cost of a Breach

If you’re not convinced this is worth your time, consider this:

The average cost of a data breach in a small business is $120,000+
Regulatory fines under laws like HIPAA or the FTC Safeguards Rule? Also hefty.
Your reputation? That’s priceless—and once it’s damaged, it’s hard to rebuild.

Here’s the Good News

You’re not alone. You don’t have to be a cybersecurity expert—you just need to care enough to get help.

At MoreMax Inc, we work with solo and small-firm lawyers who don’t want to become another cautionary tale. We’ll help you:

Secure your devices, emails, and cloud apps
Put proper protections around client PII
Set up real-time threat monitoring and response
Stay compliant with industry standards

Even better? We explain it in plain English. No geek-speak, no scare tactics. Just practical help so you can get back to what you do best—fighting for your clients.

Final Thought

Cybercriminals don’t care how smart or honest you are. They care about access. And the moment you think “I’d never fall for that,” is the moment they count on.

You’ve worked too hard to build your firm. Don’t let one phishing email tear it all down.

Let’s protect what you’ve built—together.

P.S. If you’re unsure whether your firm’s protected, reach out for a no-pressure, 15-minute check-in. We’ll let you know where you stand.