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Managing Partner at Shub Johns & Holbrook LLP Benjamin F. Johns has been appointed lead counsel in an ongoing data breach class action matter following a ransomware incident that impacted sensitive information located in its data servers.
The case is captioned Papenmeier et al. v Kean University, Case No. 2:26-cv-09644 (D. N. J.). If you have been impacted by the data breach and are interested in participating, fill out our investigation form.
Data Breach impacts Kean University
Shub Johns & Holbrook investigates claims that Kean University failed to issue adequate cybersecurity safeguards before a ransomware attack allegedly resulted in the exposure of sensitive information potentially impacting thousands of students, applicants, alumni and employees.
On July 24, 2026, a post was submitted to a dark web monitoring platform that identified the ransomware group Qilin claimed responsibility. The post did not provide additional information concerning how much data may have been exfiltrated nor did it identify how many individuals were potentially impacted. Kean University has not published a statement concerning the data breach at the time of this post.
Kean University Class Action
On July 30, 2026, Shub Johns & Holbrook LLP filed a proposed class action lawsuit against Kean University currently pending before the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. The lawsuit alleges that Kean’s failure to put basic protections in place left thousands of individuals connected to the university facing a lifetime risk of identity theft.
On August 13, 2026, the New Jersey District Court ordered to consolidate all active cases against Kean Univeristy concerning the data breach. In the Court’s order concerning consolidation, the Judge also appointed Benjamin F. Johns of Shub Johns & Holbrook LLP, along with co-counsel, as Interim Co-lead Class Counsel.
Plaintiffs are seeking damages as well as injunctive relief that would require Kean to fully disclose the extent of the data breach, identify the specific categories of data compromised, adopt industry-standard security measures going forward, and provide affected individuals with lifetime identity theft protection services.
The case is captioned Papenmeier et al. v Kean University, Case No. 2:26-cv-09644 (D. N. J.).You can review the consolidation order here.
Contact Us
If you are a current or former student, applicant, alumnus, or employee with Kean University and are concerned that your personal information may have been compromised in this data breach, contact us about our case.
Fill out the form on this page to share your experience and learn more about your legal rights.