Photo of Stephen C. Piepgrass

Stephen leads the firm’s Regulatory Investigations, Strategy + Enforcement (RISE) Practice Group. He focuses his practice on enforcement actions, investigations, and litigation. Stephen primarily represents clients engaging with, or being investigated by, state attorneys general and other state or local governmental enforcement bodies, including the CFPB and FTC, as well as clients involved with litigation, with a particular focus on heavily regulated industries. He also has experience advising clients on data and privacy issues, including handling complex investigations into data incidents by state attorneys general other state and federal regulators. Additionally, Stephen provides strategic counsel to Troutman Pepper’s Strategies clients who need assistance with public policy, advocacy, and government relations strategies.

In this episode of Regulatory Oversight, we kick off a two-part series on the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Stephen Piepgrass, Michael Yaghi, and Dan Waltz explore the significance of the BBB for businesses, particularly in relation to regulatory scrutiny and consumer trust. The conversation begins with an overview of the BBB as a quasi-governmental agency, emphasizing its role in consumer complaints and how these are perceived by regulators, including state attorneys general.

On June 25, the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) entered a consent order with Coinme, Inc., a cryptocurrency “ATM” operator, for noncompliance with the California’s Consumer Financial Protection Law (CCFPL) and Digital Financial Assets Law (DFAL). The consent order marks a significant milestone in California’s regulatory efforts because it represents the conclusion of the agency’s first enforcement action under the DFAL.

In this episode of our special Regulatory Oversight: Solicitors General Insights series, Jeff Johnson is joined by District of Columbia Solicitor General Caroline Van Zile and Washington Solicitor General Noah Purcell to discuss their respective offices, and the distinct challenges and focuses of each. Noah shares insights into the Washington Solicitor General’s Office, and Caroline discusses the multifaceted nature of the District of Columbia Solicitor General’s Office, as they balance a diverse array of appellate work and providing legal advice on novel issues.

In this episode of our special Regulatory Oversight: Solicitors General Insights series, Jeff Johnson is joined by Iowa Solicitor General Eric Wessan and Indiana Solicitor General James Barta to discuss their roles and responsibilities, as well as the current legal challenges their offices are facing. The conversation delves into the intricacies of state and federal court appeals, highlighting the significant amount of work done in state courts.

In this episode of the Regulatory Oversight podcast, Stephen Piepgrass welcomes David Navetta, Lauren Geiser, and Dan Waltz to discuss the $51.75 million nationwide class settlement involving Clearview AI and its broader implications. The conversation focuses on Clearview AI’s facial recognition software, which has sparked controversy due to its use of publicly available images to generate biometric data.

On June 2, the Texas legislature passed the Texas Responsible Artificial Intelligence Governance Act, (TX AI Act or bill) which heads to the governor for his signature or veto. The bill will take effect January 1, 2026, if the governor signs it into law. It is the most comprehensive piece of AI governance legislation to pass a state legislature to date. If enacted, Texas will become the fourth state after Colorado, Utah, and California to pass AI-specific legislation.

In this crossover episode of The Consumer Finance Podcast and Regulatory Oversight, Chris Willis, Kim Phan, and Stephen Piepgrass provide insights on a new joint privacy task force among several state AGs, known as the Consortium of Privacy Regulators. The consortium recently outlined goals to share state resources and align enforcement priorities regarding consumer harm and privacy rights. In response to an anticipated shift of regulatory scrutiny from federal agencies to state leaders, this episode focuses on specific steps financial services companies should consider when dealing with consumer privacy, data, complaints, and inquiries to ensure compliance and mitigate potential investigations and enforcement actions.

Join us for a special crossover episode of The Consumer Finance Podcast and Regulatory Oversight, where Chris Willis, Kim Phan, and Gene Fishel delve into the evolving world of state AI legislation. As AI becomes a pivotal tool in the financial services industry, understanding the implications of new laws is crucial. This episode focuses on Colorado’s comprehensive AI law and its potential influence on other states, exploring key issues such as algorithmic discrimination, privacy, and cybersecurity. Gain insights into best practices for compliance and learn how state attorneys general are stepping up enforcement in the absence of federal action. Don’t miss this informative discussion bridging consumer finance and regulatory oversight.

In this episode of our special Regulatory Oversight: Solicitors General Insights series, Jeff Johnson, a former deputy solicitor general in the Missouri Attorney General’s office, welcomes Scott Stewart, solicitor general of Mississippi, and Matt Rice, solicitor general of Tennessee. The episode uncovers the intricacies of being a state solicitor general and the impact of their work on state and national levels.