State Attorneys General Defense and Investigations

Skadden lawyers are “knowledgeable on substance, keen strategists, creative, highly responsive and provide great client service.” – Corporate Crime & Investigations: The Elite respondent, Chambers USA

For decades, Skadden has stood at the forefront of handling high-stakes enforcement actions involving state attorneys general (AGs). Our firm has successfully navigated a wide range of individual and multistate AG matters across the United States, delivering exceptional legal services and achieving favorable outcomes for our clients, including multinational technology companies, major pharmaceutical firms, leading global financial institutions, universities and telecommunications services providers.

Areas of Focus

Skadden is well-equipped to address the varied and evolving legal challenges faced by clients in state AG actions, including:

  • Antitrust Enforcement: Navigating complex antitrust matters, including those involving price fixing and unfair competition allegations, as well as merger challenges.
  • Artificial Intelligence: Defending against enforcement actions and managing investigations related to the use of AI, including issues of consumer protection and data privacy.
  • Consumer Protection: Handling allegations of unfair, deceptive and other unlawful practices in multiple sectors, including e-commerce, life sciences and telecommunications.
  • Consumer Financial Services: Defending against investigations and enforcement actions involving consumer financial services and products.
  • Cybersecurity and Data Privacy: Managing highly complex matters related to cybersecurity incidents and privacy compliance.
  • False Claims Act: Defending against inquiries involving state false claims act provisions.
  • Products Liability: Handling claims related to the sales and marketing of consumer products.
  • Sanctions: Representing financial institutions in claims regarding compliance with U.S. economic sanctions and other related laws.
  • Securities Fraud: Addressing investigations and litigation involving allegations of securities law violations.

Skadden excels in providing comprehensive, strategic guidance on state enforcement actions involving parallel federal government actions, multidistrict litigation, class actions, mass arbitrations and crisis management. We are adept at both developing and implementing strategies to proactively minimize litigation and investigation exposure as well as effectively defending against and resolving AG lawsuits and investigations.

Experienced Team

Our team includes numerous seasoned litigators at both the trial and appellate levels, as well as former senior government enforcement officials. We employ a cross-practice approach, leveraging our attorneys’ diverse experience and insights to provide robust defense strategies that specifically address the multifaceted nature of many state AG matters.

Proactive Engagement

We have cultivated long-standing relationships with state attorneys general, enabling us to proactively engage with these key regulatory figures to resolve complex matters. Our attorneys are committed to protecting clients’ interests and mitigating potential legal risks through effective negotiation and advocacy.

Recognition

Our firm’s excellence in litigation and investigations has been consistently recognized by leading industry publications:

  • Litigation Department of the Year — General Litigation Finalist, New York Law Journal, 2024
  • Litigation Department of the Year — General Litigation Winner, The American Lawyer, 2021
  • Among the leading firms handling internal and government-led investigations, Global Investigations Review’s GIR 30, 2024
  • Repeatedly ranked as a top firm and as leading lawyers for corporate investigations, Chambers Global and Chambers USA