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Madison Shepley

Senior Attorney

Madison Shepley focuses her practice on complex privacy, cybersecurity, and class action litigation, representing companies in high-stakes matters involving data breaches, biometric privacy, consumer privacy, and technology-related disputes. She regularly defends clients in federal and state courts nationwide and brings a deep understanding of federal procedure, class action strategy, and dispositive motion practice.

Madison has significant experience defending data breach and privacy class actions, including claims brought under the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA), the California Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA), and other state and federal privacy laws. She also advises companies on privacy compliance, risk mitigation, and litigation exposure, helping clients navigate evolving regulatory and enforcement landscapes.

In addition, Madison represents clients in complex commercial disputes involving fraud, including claims alleging investment fraud, business email compromise schemes, and wire transfer fraud. Her work includes both defending clients against fraud-based claims and pursuing recovery of misappropriated funds arising from sophisticated cyber-enabled schemes.

Madison also has experience representing employers in federal employment discrimination actions and maintains a strong foundation in civil defense litigation. Her background in civil defense litigation also includes premises and general negligence, wrongful death, transportation, and Federal Employer’s Liability Act matters. She assists clients at every stage of litigation—from pre-suit investigation and pleadings through discovery, depositions, motion practice, and alternative dispute resolution—providing practical, business-oriented advocacy throughout the life of a case.

Education

J.D., Seattle University School of Law, Seattle, Washington
B.S., University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin

Recognitions

Named among Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® for Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants (2024-2026); Product Liability Litigation – Defendants (2024-2026) by Best Lawyers

 

Memberships

Chicago Bar Association

State Bar Licenses

Illinois

Court Admissions

U.S. District Ct., N.D. of Illinois
U.S. District Ct., C.D. of Illinois
U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit

Media

  • Madison Shepley, The Character of the Business: Looking Through “Broken Windows” for Liability in Mass Shootings & Other Third-Party Criminal Acts, 42 SEATTLE U. L. REV. 1531 (2019).
  • Madison Shepley, Cruising into the Future or a Crash Waiting to Happen? Biometrics and the Connected Car, DRI Strictly Speaking, May 12, 2020, at 9.
  • Contributing Author, “Railroad—FELA, Safety Appliance Act, Locomotive Inspection Act, Etc.,” IICLE’s Tort Action 2022 Edition Handbook (2022).

Articles

  • Co-Author, “New Employer Liability Risks In Old Ill. Genetic Privacy Law,” Law360 (September 16, 2024)

Data Breach Class Actions

  • Representing hospital client in state class action litigation relating to third-party breach.
  • Representing healthcare client in federal court data breach class action.
  • Represented a hospital client in a state court data breach class action; filing of motion for summary resulted in dismissal.
  • Represented a recreational services and vacation amenities company in federal court data breach class action.
  • Represented financial institution in multidistrict litigation action stemming from cyberattacks to a file transfer platform by a foreign ransomware gang, resulting in dismissal for client.

Data Privacy Class Actions

  • Represented a multinational automotive company in privacy class action, with claims under the California Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA) and obtained dismissal of same.
  • Defended various companies against privacy class actions asserting claims under the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA).

Other Cyber/Technology Litigation and Disputes

  • Representing managed information technology provider in contractual dispute litigation relating to data breach and fraudulent transaction scam.
  • Represented professional services firm accounting software provider in contractual dispute litigation.
  • Represented and advised various clients either seeking recovery or defending against claims for indemnity for business email compromise fraudulent transaction scams.
  • Advised various companies regarding, and drafted documents to comply with BIPA.
  • Represented client to obtain return of funds stolen in wire transfer fraud.

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