The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has opened an investigation into a series of cyberattacks against several major U.S. law firms, with initial findings suggesting possible links to Chinese hackers, officials familiar with the matter said.

One of the affected firms, Washington-based Williams & Connolly LLP, confirmed that unauthorized actors had gained limited access to parts of its internal computer systems. The firm said it had“contained the incident” and found no evidence that client data or confidential case materials were compromised.

“We have taken immediate steps to strengthen our network defenses and enhance cybersecurity protocols,” Williams & Connolly said in a statement. The firm did not attribute the attack to any country or group, saying investigations were ongoing.

According to sources cited by Reuters, several other prominent law firms may also have been targeted in what investigators suspect could be a coordinated campaign aimed at extracting sensitive legal and corporate information. The FBI is working closely with affected firms to assess the full scope of the breaches.

Cybersecurity officials said the attacks bore technical similarities to previous operations linked to Chinese state-backed hacking groups, though definitive attribution remains under review. Beijing has repeatedly denied involvement in cyber espionage, dismissing U.S. allegations as politically motivated.

For years, Washington has accused China of orchestrating large-scale cyber intrusions to steal intellectual property and trade secrets from American companies, research institutions, and government agencies. The legal industry, which manages vast amounts of confidential data, is increasingly viewed as a high-value target.

Experts say the latest incidents underscore the growing cybersecurity risks faced by law firms handling corporate deals, litigation, and sensitive government contracts. The FBI urged private-sector entities to bolster defenses and report any suspicious network activity as investigations continue.

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