Get to Know J.B. Van Hollen, Wisconsin Attorney General Teleseminar Noon – 1 p.m. (U.S. EST) September 9, 2014 Divonne Smoyer J.B. Van Hollen Partner, Washington, D.C. Attorney General dsmoyer@reedsmith.com State of Wisconsin http://www.linkedin.com/in/divonnesmoyer @DivonneSmoyer 1
Presenter Bio Divonne Smoyer Divonne is a partner in Reed Smith’s Global Regulatory Group. She advises clients on a wide range of matters with focus on legal and policy matters involving state attorneys general (AGs). Divonne has extensive experience counseling major corporations through government investigations and litigation, as well as private litigation. She regularly represents Fortune 500 companies on high-stakes matters, and advises clients in a wide array of industries. Divonne works with clients to avoid becoming the target of state investigations and to resolve issues before they become litigation. She also is an experienced legal advocate, ready to represent companies when litigation becomes inevitable. In addition, Divonne regularly represents clients before state AGs and monitors policy and legal trends that may impact clients at The National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG), Conference of Western Attorneys General (CWAG), and Democratic and Republican Attorneys General Associations (DAGA and RAGA). 2
Presenter Bio J.B. Van Hollen Wisconsin's 43rd Attorney General (AG), J.B. Van Hollen took office in 2007 and won a second, four-year term in 2010. As attorney for the State of Wisconsin, its officers and agencies, AG Van Hollen has emphasized integrity and adherence to the rule of law. During a time when partisan politics increasingly has polarized Wisconsin, Van Hollen has kept focused on enforcing and following the laws as written without regard to political and policy debates. AG Van Hollen vowed that fighting crime also would define his work as AG, and during his tenure as President of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) from 2013-2014, his Presidential Initiative topic was “America’s Promise: Keeping Kids Safe.” A philosophy of first principles, limited government, and the Office’s role as an “exist to assist” state agency has guided his tenure as AG over the past 8 years. General Van Hollen not only is a superb state public servant. Prior to becoming AG, J.B. served as the U.S. Attorney for Wisconsin’s Western District, an AUSA in that office, DA in both Ashland and Bayfield Counties and as an Assistant State Public Defender. 3
4 Wisconsin State Office of the Attorney General
5 Hot Issues in Wisconsin
Working Effectively with the Wisconsin AG’s Office 6
Key Current National Issues for State AGs PATENTS 7
National Trends in AG Practice • Multistate Activity (investigations, litigation, letter & brief sign- ons) • Partnerships with federal regulators (e.g. DOJ, CFPB, FTC) • State AG enforcement of federal laws (e.g., Dodd-Frank, HIPAA, COPPA, FCRA, CPSIA) • Pressures to use outside counsel • Parens patriae suits • Publicity/politicization of the office 8
Tips for Companies and Legal Departments for Effectively Navigating AG Offices Generally 9
10 Questions
Additional Information Thank you for participating in today’s teleseminar. For more information: Divonne Smoyer Partner, Washington, D.C. dsmoyer@reedsmith.com http://www.linkedin.com/in/divonnesmoyer @DivonneSmoyer 11
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