GvW Graf von Westphalen

GvW Graf von Westphalen, also known simply as GvW, is a German law firm with its headquarters located in Germany. The firm operates under the aliases GvW Graf von Westphalen and GvW. As a law firm, it provides legal counsel and representation to clients across various practice areas. While the prompt does not detail specific sectors or markets, its identity as a legal services provider places it within the professional services industry. The firm's organisational structure and ownership are not disclosed in the available information.

In December 2023, GvW experienced a cyberattack that disrupted its IT systems and email access. The incident was reported promptly to Hamburg’s data protection authority and to law enforcement authorities. No client data was confirmed to have been compromised during the attack, although the firm pledged to inform affected parties if forensic investigations later revealed unauthorized access. Recovery efforts were supported by backup hardware and the responsiveness of the firm’s internal IT team. Phone service was restored within a few days, and full operational capacity was resumed shortly thereafter. The specifics of the attack remain undisclosed due to ongoing investigations, but the pattern aligns with ransomware‑type extortion attempts. The event is noted as part of a broader trend of similar cyber incidents affecting other law firms in recent times.