Frequently Asked Questions



Basic Information

1. Why was the Notice Issued?

The United States District Court for the Northern District of New York authorized the Notice. You have a right to know about the proposed Settlement of this class action lawsuit, and about all of your options, before the Court decides whether to grant final approval of the Settlement. The Notice explains the lawsuit, your legal rights, what benefits are available, and who can receive them.

The lawsuit is called Leon-Roman v. Olinsky & Associates, PLLC, Case No. 5:25-cv-000462-ECC-CBF. It is pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York before the Honorable Elizabeth C. Coombe, United State District Court judge. The person who filed this lawsuit (Felipe Leon-Roman) is called the “Plaintiff” (or “Class Representative”) and the company he sued, Olinsky & Associates, PLLC is called the “Defendant.”

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2. What is this lawsuit about?

Defendant is a law firm headquartered in Syracuse, New York. On or around January 28, 2025, Olinsky became aware of a cybersecurity incident (the “Data Incident”) which an investigation determined potentially impacted certain data including: names, addresses, Social Security numbers, account information, financial information, medical records or disability-payment information, driver’s license numbers, financial information, and health insurance information. Some of the information was truncated, only exposing the last four or five digits of the social security number or bank account information. After Olinsky identified approximately 526 individuals (including Plaintiff) whose Private Information (defined below) may have been impacted by the Data Incident, notice was sent to those individuals beginning on or about March 11, 2025. In the Litigation, Plaintiff brings claims for negligence, breach of implied contract, and unjust enrichment and seek damages and injunctive relief concerning the Data Incident. Defendant denies any wrongdoing and would assert various defenses against Plaintiff’s claims if the lawsuit were to proceed.

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3. What is a class action?

In a class action, one or more individuals sue on behalf of other people with similar claims. These individuals are called the “Plaintiffs” or “Class Representatives.” Together, the people included in the class action are called a “Class” or “Class Members.” One court resolves the lawsuit for all Class Members, except for those who opt out from the Settlement. In this Settlement, the Class Representative is Felipe Leon-Roman. Everyone included in this Action are the Class Members.

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4. Why is there a settlement?

The Court did not decide whether the Plaintiff or the Defendant are right. Both sides have agreed to a settlement to avoid the expected massive costs of litigating through trial, the inherent risk that either party will lose before or at trial, the potential damage to Olinsky associated with prolonged litigation, and to achieve a final resolution for the Settlement Class and Olinsky as to all issues raised in the Litigation. The Plaintiff and his attorneys think the Settlement is best for all Class Members. Class Counsel is satisfied that the terms and conditions of this Settlement are fair, reasonable, and adequate, and that this Settlement is in the best interest of Plaintiff and Class members.

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Who is in the Settlement

5. Who is included in the Settlement?

The Court has defined the Class this way: “all persons identified by Olinsky & Associates, PLLC as being among those individuals impacted by the Data Incident (the unauthorized access of certain information on Olinsky’s computer systems discovered on or about January 28, 2025), including all who were sent notice of the Data Incident.”

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6. Are there exceptions to being included?

Yes. Excluded from the Class are: (1) Defendant Olinsky, any entity in which Defendant has a controlling interest, and Defendant’s officers, directors, partners, employees, legal representatives, successors, subsidiaries, and assigns. Also excluded from the Class is any judge, justice, or judicial officer presiding over this matter and members of their immediate families and their judicial staff.

If you are not sure whether you are a Class Member, you can ask for free help any time by contacting the Settlement Administrator at:

Olinsky Data Incident Settlement
c/o Settlement Administrator
P.O. Box 25226
Santa Ana, CA 92799-9958
Email: info@OlinskyDataSettlement.com
Call toll free, 24/7: (877) 723-7125

You may also view the Settlement Agreement here.

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The Settlement Benefits

7. What does the Settlement provide?

All Settlement Class Members who do not opt out will receive the following benefits:

  1. Credit Monitoring: All Settlement Class Members will be sent an activation code for 3 years of CyEx’s Financial Shield Complete. Enrollment codes have been sent to all Settlement Class Members by a Postcard mailed to you.

    Your CyEx Financial Shield Complete subscription will become active once the Court grants Final Approval to this Settlement.

    Visit http://app.financialshield.com/enrollment/activate/Olinsky to enroll.

    This comprehensive service comes with $1 million of identity theft insurance, and includes:

    • 1 Bureau Credit Monitoring

    • Financial Transaction Monitoring

    • Bank & Financial Account Monitoring

    • Real-Time Authentication Alerts

    If anything suspicious happens, you will be able to talk to a fraud resolution agent to help fix any problems.

  2. Cash Payments: All Settlement Class Members who do not opt out will be sent a check for $40.00.

Business Practices Changes. Defendant agreed to implement and keep in place security-related measures designed to keep Plaintiff and the Class’s data safe.

If you have questions about the Settlement Benefits or need a replacement for the Enrollment Code sent to you previously, you can ask for free help any time by contacting the Settlement Administrator at:

Olinsky Data Incident Settlement
c/o Settlement Administrator
P.O. Box 25226
Santa Ana, CA 92799-9958
Email: info@OlinskyDataSettlement.com
Call toll free, 24/7: (877) 723-7125

You may also view the Settlement Agreement here.

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8. What claims am I releasing if I stay in the class?

If you stay in the class, you won’t be able to be part of any other lawsuit against Olinsky about the issues that this Settlement covers. The “Releases” section of the Settlement Agreement (Section IX) describes the legal claims that you give up if you remain in the Class.

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Obtaining Settlement Benefits

9. Do I need to submit a claim for a Settlement benefit?

No claim is required to receive the $40.00 cash payment or to use your Enrollment Code for Financial Shield Complete. If you do not opt out of this Settlement, you will automatically receive these benefits.

If you have questions about the Settlement Benefits or need a replacement for the Enrollment Code sent to you previously, you can ask for free help any time by contacting the Settlement Administrator at:

Olinsky Data Incident Settlement
c/o Settlement Administrator
P.O. Box 25226
Santa Ana, CA 92799-9958
Email: info@OlinskyDataSettlement.com
Call toll free, 24/7: (877) 723-7125

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10. Are there any important Settlement payment deadlines?

There is no claims deadline for this Settlement, because you do not need to file a claim to receive the Settlement Benefits.

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11. When will the Settlement benefits be issued?

The Court will hold a Final Approval Hearing on December 2, 2026 (see Question 18). If the Court approves the Settlement, there may be appeals. We do not know if appeals will be filed, or how long it will take to resolve them if they are filed.

Settlement payments will be distributed if the Court grants final approval, and after any appeals are resolved. Your Enrollment Code for Financial Shield Complete will also become active after Final Approval, and after any appeals are resolved.

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The lawyers representing you

12. Do I have a lawyer in the case?

Yes, Casondra Turner of Milberg, PLLC has been designated as legal counsel (“Class Counsel”) to represent you and other Class members.

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13. Should I get my own lawyer?

You will not be charged for Class Counsel’s services. If you want your own lawyer, you may hire one at your expense.

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14. How will Class Counsel be paid?

Class Counsel will ask the Court to approve $55,000.00 as reasonable attorneys' fees and costs of litigation. This amount will be paid by Olinsky separately from the Settlement Benefits to the Class.

Class Counsel will also ask the Court for a Service Award payment of $2,000.00 for the Class Representative. Service Award payments will also be paid by Olinsky separate from the Settlement Benefits to the Class.

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Excluding yourself from the Settlement

15. How do I opt out of the Settlement?

If you do not want to be part of the Settlement, you must formally exclude yourself from the Settlement. This is called a Request for Exclusion, and is sometimes also called “opting out.” If you opt out, you will not receive Settlement benefits or payment. However, you will keep any rights you may have to sue Olinsky on your own about the legal issues in this case.

If you exclude yourself, you are telling the Court that you do not want to be part of the Settlement. You will not be eligible to receive any Settlement benefits if you exclude yourself.

The deadline to exclude yourself from the Settlement is October 26, 2026.

To be valid, your Request for Exclusion must have the following information:

  1. your full name, mailing address, telephone number, and email address (if any);

  2. personal signature; and

  3. the words “Request for Exclusion” or a clear and similar statement that you do not want to participate in the Settlement.

You may only exclude yourself—not any other person.

Mail your Request for Exclusion to the Settlement Administrator at:

Olinsky Data Incident Settlement
c/o Settlement Administrator
P.O. Box 25226
Santa Ana, CA 92799-9958

Your Request for Exclusion must be postmarked by October 26, 2026.

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Commenting on or objecting to the Settlement

16. How do I tell the Court if I like or do not like the Settlement?

If you are a Class Member and do not like part or all of the Settlement, you can object to it. Objecting means telling the Court your reasons for why you think the Court should not approve the Settlement. The Court will consider your views.

You cannot object if you have excluded yourself from the Settlement (see Question 15).

You must provide the following information for the Court to consider your objection:

  1. your full name, address, telephone number, and email address (if any);

  2. information identifying you as a Settlement Class Member, including proof that you are a member of the Settlement Class (e.g., copy of notice, copy of original notice of the Data Incident);

  3. a written statement of all grounds for the objection, accompanied by any legal support for the objection you believe is applicable;

  4. a statement as to whether the objection applies only to you, to a specific subset of the class, or to the entire class;

  5. the identity of any and all counsel representing you in connection with the objection;

  6. a statement as to whether you and/or your counsel will appear at the Final Fairness Hearing;

  7. a list of all settlements to which you and/or your counsel have objected in the preceding three (3) years; and

  8. your signature and the signature of the objector’s duly authorized attorney or other duly authorized representative (along with documentation setting forth such representation) (if you have hired your own lawyer, their signature alone is not sufficient).

For your objection to be valid, it must meet each of these requirements.

To be considered by the Court, you must mail your complete objection to the Settlement Administrator and it must be postmarked by October 26, 2026.

Olinsky Data Incident Settlement
c/o Settlement Administrator
P.O. Box 25226
Santa Ana, CA 92799-9958

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17. What is the difference between objecting and excluding?

Objecting is telling the Court that you do not like something about the Settlement. You can object to the Settlement only if you do not exclude yourself from the Settlement. Excluding yourself from the Settlement is opting out and stating to the Court that you do not want to be part of the Settlement. If you opt out of the Settlement, you cannot object to it because the Settlement no longer affects you.

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The Court’s Final Approval Hearing

18. When is the Court’s Final Approval Hearing?

The Court will hold a final approval on December 2, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., in the US District Court, Northern District of New York, James M. Hanley Federal Building & U.S. Courthouse, 100 S. Clinton St., Syracuse, NY 13261.

At the Final Approval Hearing, the Court will decide whether to approve the Settlement. The Court will also decide how Class Counsel should be paid, and whether to award a Service Award payment to the Class Representative. The Court will also consider any objections to the Settlement.

If you are a Class Member, you or your lawyer may ask permission to speak at the hearing at your own cost (see Question 16). The date and time of this hearing may change without further notice. Please visit this website for updates.

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19. Do I have to come to the Final Approval Hearing?

No. Class Counsel will answer any questions the Court may have. You may attend at your own expense if you wish, but you do not have to.

If you file an objection, you do not have to come to the Final Approval Hearing to talk about it; the Court will consider it as long as it was filed on time. You may also pay your own lawyer to attend, but you do not have to.

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If I Do Nothing

20. What happens if I do nothing at all?

If you do nothing, you will receive a benefit from this Settlement. You will also give up the rights described in Question 8.

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Getting more information

21. How do I get more information?

This website and the Notice are a summary of the proposed Settlement. The full Settlement Agreement and other related documents are available on the Important Documents page.

If you have additional questions, you can ask for free help any time by contacting the Settlement Administrator at:

Olinsky Data Incident Settlement
c/o Settlement Administrator
P.O. Box 25226
Santa Ana, CA 92799-9958
Email: info@OlinskyDataSettlement.com
Call toll free, 24/7: (877) 723-7125

You can obtain copies of publicly filed documents by visiting the office of the Clerk of the Court, US District Court, Northern District of New York, James M. Hanley Federal Building & U.S. Courthouse, 100 S. Clinton St., Syracuse, NY 13261.

Do not contact the Court or Clerk of Court regarding this Settlement

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