Chisholm Persson & Ball Listed by akira Ransomware Group: Ransomware Claim — What’s Alleged & What To Do

Chisholm Persson & Ball, a law firm based in Laconia, New Hampshire, was listed on July 7, 2026, by the Akira ransomware group. The listing states that internal files were exfiltrated during a ransomware attack. The number of individuals affected remains unknown, and the firm has not publicly confirmed the claim or the extent of any data access. The Akira group claims it will upload 45 gigabytes of corporate data. No independent verification of the volume or contents has been reported.

Inside the incident

The reported event centers on a ransomware operation that resulted in the exfiltration of internal files from the firm. Public details are limited to the group’s leak-site listing. No information has been released about the initial access method, the duration of the intrusion, or whether encryption of systems occurred alongside the data theft. The scale of exposure, including whether any data has been published, is not confirmed beyond the group’s statements.

Inside akira

Akira is a ransomware group that has conducted operations against organizations in multiple sectors since at least 2023. Its typical approach involves gaining access to networks, exfiltrating data, and then deploying ransomware, followed by listings on a leak site when ransom demands are not met. The group’s listings function as claims of possession rather than independently verified disclosures. Prior activity attributed to Akira includes incidents involving professional services firms, though each case requires separate confirmation.

About Chisholm Persson & Ball

Chisholm Persson & Ball is a law firm located in Laconia, New Hampshire, that provides legal services in estate planning, probate administration, family law, business law, and civil litigation. Law firms of this type routinely maintain records that include client identities, financial details, and case-related documents. A compromise at such an organization can affect both the firm’s operations and the privacy of individuals whose matters are handled there.

What data was at risk

The Akira group claims the exfiltrated material includes client and employee personal information such as passports, visas, driver’s licenses, and Social Security numbers, along with confidential client documents, financial records, contracts, agreements, court files, police reports, and other legal files. These descriptions come solely from the group’s listing. The firm has not confirmed which categories of data, if any, were accessed, and the exact contents remain unverified.

The real-world impact

Individuals whose information appears in legal files may face risks of identity misuse or unwanted disclosure of sensitive personal matters. For the firm, the incident introduces potential operational disruption and the need to assess notification obligations under applicable privacy and professional-conduct rules. Because the number of affected people is unknown, the full scope of downstream consequences cannot yet be measured.

Were you affected?

Anyone who has been a client of Chisholm Persson & Ball or who has provided personal documents to the firm should monitor accounts for unusual activity and consider placing fraud alerts with credit bureaus. Readers can run a free exposure scan of their email address against known breach data to check for prior appearances in public listings. Direct inquiries to the firm remain the primary route for confirmation of individual exposure.

AICompiled with AI assistance from public sources and published under our editorial standards.