State Attorneys General

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Washington Attorney General (AG) Nick Brown secured a $3.75 million settlement with Puppyland, known for selling purebred and mixed breed puppies, over unlawful advertising and sales practices. The settlement resolves a lawsuit filed by former AG Bob Ferguson, addressing multiple violations under the state’s Consumer Protection Act. The complaint alleged that Puppyland misrepresented the breeding standard of puppies sold; failed to honor advertised health guarantees; channeled customers into loans with interest rates approaching 200% “without adequate time to review and understand the terms;” and used nondisparagement provisions in their purchase agreements that restricted truthful online reviews.

State attorneys general (AGs) continue to play a pivotal role as innovators, shaping the regulatory environment by leveraging their expertise and resources to influence policy and practice. The public-facing nature of AG offices across the U.S. compels them to respond to constituent concerns on abbreviated timetables. This political sensitivity, combined with the AGs’ authority to address both local and national issues, underscores their significant influence in the current regulatory environment.

In a recent interview, Karen White, the executive director of the Attorney General Alliance (AGA), discussed the organization’s impactful partnership with PBS, its involvement in the Bipartisan Leadership Project, and its proactive stance on artificial intelligence (AI). Originally a regional group, the AGA has grown into a significant force addressing complex issues through bipartisan collaboration and innovative partnerships.

West Virginia Attorney General (AG) Patrick Morrisey announced a total $17 million settlement agreement with pharmaceutical companies, Pfizer and Ranbaxy after more than a decade of litigation regarding the companies’ alleged “pay-for-delay” antitrust violations related to the cholesterol drug, Lipitor.

Published in Law360 on January 22, 2025. © Copyright 2025, Portfolio Media, Inc., publisher of Law360. Reprinted here with permission.

In the first installment of this two-part article, state attorneys general across the U.S. took bold action in 2024 to address what they perceived as unlawful activities by corporations in several areas, including privacy and data security, financial transparency, children’s internet safety, and other overall consumer protection claims.

Comprehensive Guide Offers Insights Into Enforcement Actions, Challenges, and Priorities

Ashley L. Taylor, Jr., co-leader of Troutman Pepper Locke’s nationally ranked State Attorneys General Practice, co-edited a new book published by the American Bar Association titled Consumer Protection: Understanding Enforcement Actions Brought by State Attorneys General. Given the growing regulatory power of state attorneys general in highly regulated industries, companies are at risk of bet-the-company government investigations, enforcement actions, and high-stakes litigation.

Missouri’s attorney general (AG) announced on X.com (formerly Twitter) that he is “issuing a rule requiring Big Tech to guarantee algorithmic choice for social media users.” [X.com post (January 17, 2025, roughly 3:35 p.m. EST)] He intends to use his authority “under consumer protection law,” known as the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act in that state, “to ensure Big Tech companies are transparent about the algorithms they use and offer consumers the option to select alternatives.” [x.com post] The Missouri AG touts this rule as the “first of its kind” in an “effort to protect free speech and safeguard consumers from censorship.” [Press release]

On January 9, New Jersey Attorney General (AG) Matthew J. Platkin and the Division on Civil Rights (DCR) launched a new Civil Rights and Technology Initiative aimed at addressing the potential for discrimination and bias associated with artificial intelligence (AI) and other decision-making technologies. The announcement is one of many recent examples of AG’s leading the development of AI regulation. The New Jersey initiative is informed by recommendations from Governor Phil Murphy’s Artificial Intelligence Task Force, which emphasized the need for public education on bias and discrimination related to AI deployment.