Kentucky
Russell Coleman (R), a Louisville attorney and former federal prosecutor, prevailed over Pamela Stevenson (D), member of the Kentucky House of Representatives, for District 43. Coleman will take over from departing attorney general (AG) Daniel Cameron (R), who was unsuccessful in running for governor against incumbent Andy Beshear (D). Such an outcome suggests that prevailing political headwinds affect AGs differently — despite their overt party affiliations. Coleman will take over the AG post in December.
Winning his race with roughly 58% of the vote, Coleman is no stranger to the role of chief law enforcement officer. In addition to his experience in government investigations private practice, he previously served as the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Kentucky. Further, his background includes experience as a volunteer assistant commonwealth’s attorney in Oldham County, a senior advisor and legal counsel to U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell, and an FBI special agent.
Mississippi
Incumbent Mississippi AG Lynn Fitch (R) won reelection with roughly 58.8% of the vote, fending off a challenge by Greta Kemp Martin (D), a Jackson attorney and litigation director for Disability Rights Mississippi. Fitch began her legal career as a special assistant AG before working in private practice as a bond attorney. She has long been influential in Mississippi state government.
Her previous experience includes serving as executive director of the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, counsel to the multiple committees of the Mississippi House of Representatives, and Mississippi’s elected state treasurer.
Fitch has been recognized for her impact on the legal profession — particularly given her status as the first woman to hold the office in Mississippi. Her accolades include being selected as Outstanding Woman Lawyer of 2012, recognized as a Woman Trailblazer by the Mississippi Bar Association, and named to Mississippi’s Top 50 Most Influential Hall of Fame for 2017.
What It Means
In addition to Mississippi and Kentucky, the other state AG election this year takes place in Louisiana where the current AG, Jeff Landry, was elected governor. In his stead, Liz Murrill (R), the solicitor general to Landry faces off against Lindsey Cheek (D), a New Orleans attorney. If Murrill is successful, it will mean that Republicans maintained their role as state AGs in all three southern states.
As we have written about previously, 2024 offers a slew of interesting state AG races.
Troutman Pepper State Attorneys General Team
Ashley Taylor – Co-leader and Firm Vice Chair Ashley is a partner in the firm’s Regulatory Investigations, Strategy + Enforcement (RISE) Practice Group and co-leader of the State Attorneys General practice. He focuses primarily on federal and state government regulatory and enforcement matters involving state attorneys general, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Drawing upon his experience as a deputy attorney general, Ashley has developed an extensive consumer practice with regard to the consumer financial services industry. |
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Clay Friedman – Co-leader Clay is a partner in the firm’s Regulatory Investigations, Strategy + Enforcement (RISE) Practice Group and co-leader of the State Attorneys General practice. Informed by nearly a decade in a state attorneys general office, and more than 25 years in private practice, Clay spends much of his time representing clients in singular or multistate regulatory actions. Clay has repeatedly led teams before all 50 state attorneys general and also handles matters with the Federal Trade Commission, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and other local, state and federal agencies. |
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Judy Jagdmann Judy is a partner in the firm’s Regulatory Investigations, Strategy and Enforcement (RISE) practice, based in the Richmond office. She brings experience serving as chair and commissioner of the Virginia State Corporate Commission (VSCC) from 2006 through 2022, which includes regulating the utilities, insurance, banking, and securities industries. She also served as Virginia’s attorney general from 2005-2006. |
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Stephen Piepgrass Stephen represents clients interacting with, and being investigated by, state attorneys general and other enforcement bodies, including the CFPB and FTC, as well as clients involved with litigation, particularly in heavily regulated industries. |
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Avi Schick A former deputy attorney general of New York, Avi applies his experience in bet-the-company matters, representing clients in criminal and civil investigations and enforcement actions before state and federal regulators, prosecutors and enforcement agencies. |
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Michael Yaghi Michael handles high-profile state attorneys general, FTC, and CFPB investigations by advising clients through these complex government inquiries. He assists clients through the entire life cycle of investigations, from regulatory enforcement through formal litigation. |
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Ketan Bhirud As a former government official at the state and federal level, Ketan leverages extensive experience in the public and private sectors to skillfully represent client interests. |
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Tim Bado Tim is an attorney in the firm’s Regulatory Investigations, Strategy + Enforcement (RISE) Practice Group, with a primary focus on financial services litigation. |
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Chris Carlson Chris represents clients in regulatory, civil and criminal investigations and litigation. In his practice, Chris regularly employs his prior regulatory experience to benefit clients who are interacting with and being investigated by state attorneys general. |
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Natalia Jacobo Natalia is an associate in the firm’s business litigation practice. She recently received her J.D from the University of California, Davis School of Law. |
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Namrata Kang Namrata is an associate in the firm’s Regulatory Investigations, Strategy + Enforcement (RISE) Practice Group, based in the Washington, D.C. office. Her work includes advising clients in regulatory investigations and compliance matters, in addition to representing clients in civil litigation matters. |
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Michael Lafleur Michael is an associate in the firm’s Regulatory Investigations, Strategy, and Enforcement Practice Group. Based out of the firm’s Boston office, Mike has deep experience in litigation, investigations, and other regulatory matters involving state-level regulators and state attorneys general. |
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Susan Nikdel Susan is an associate in the firm’s Consumer Financial Services Practice Group, and focuses her practice on consumer financial services matters. She has defended several of the nation’s largest and most influential financial institutions in individual and class action litigation involving the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), and other consumer privacy statutes. Susan also represents banks, fintechs, and financial services companies in connection with regulatory examinations and investigations brought by the CFPB, state attorneys general, and the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation. |
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John Sample John represents clients in a wide variety of general and complex litigation matters, shareholder disputes, products liability, and privacy claims. |
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Whitney Shephard Whitney is an attorney in the firm’s Regulatory Investigations, Strategy + Enforcement (RISE) Practice Group. She represents clients facing state and federal regulatory investigations and enforcement actions, as well as related civil litigation. |
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Trey Smith Trey is an associate in the firm’s Regulatory Investigations, Strategy + Enforcement practice. His experience includes serving as a summer associate at the firm in 2021. |
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Daniel Waltz An experienced litigator, Daniel advises and represents regional, national and international companies, financial institutions and insurers in all facets of business, complex commercial and insurance coverage litigation. He is committed to working with his clients to find creative solutions to meet their needs. |
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Stephanie Kozol Stephanie is Troutman Pepper’s senior government relations manager in the state attorneys general department. |