As State AGs Boost Activity, Ballard Spahr Consolidates Longstanding Strength in New Team

A newly formed team at national law firm Ballard Spahr—including attorneys who have served in leadership positions within state and federal law enforcement agencies—applies its deep experience to help businesses avoid and respond to state investigations and enforcement, as states’ attorneys general ramp up activity across the country.

The State Attorneys General practice at Ballard Spahr is led by Adrian R. King, Jr.—former Pennsylvania First Deputy Attorney General—and R. Stephen Stigall, former Attorney-in-Charge of the Camden branch of the New Jersey U.S. Attorney’s Office.

“State attorneys general have far-reaching authority and considerable resources for investigation and enforcement,” Mr. King said. “And they continue to escalate their scrutiny of commercial activity. We’ve brought together experienced attorneys from across the firm to advise and represent business entities in handling policy changes, reducing risk, and responding to civil or criminal actions.”

Ballard Spahr’s State Attorneys General practice represents commercial entities, nonprofits, and individuals in state AG-led investigations, with a focus on consumer protection issues in finance, mortgage lending, real estate, retail, and energy. With one of the nation’s strongest consumer finance practices, combined with deep attorney experience in state AG offices and other state and federal agencies, Ballard Spahr is uniquely positioned to help clients across those industries and others—such as health care and nonprofits—in light of more aggressive state AG action. Attorneys in the practice also regularly handle state AG-led criminal investigations, with a focus on alleged environmental crime, public corruption, and health care fraud.

Attorneys in the firm’s state AGs initiative—nearly 30 in offices nationwide—have specific government and industry experience related to state enforcement matters. Many have held senior-level positions in state AG offices, U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, and state and federal agencies with overlapping jurisdiction, such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

“Our team brings the breadth and depth businesses, organizations, and individuals need when faced with state-level investigations and enforcement,” Mr. Stigall said. “We have the background, skills, and resources to effectively handle state AG matters—a national scope and familiarity with personnel and procedures in jurisdictions across the country.”