Boston, MA. With new and shifting priorities under the Biden administration, Nixon Peabody officially launched a dedicated State Attorneys General practice team, providing clients across the country with trusted guidance—from regulatory to civil and criminal litigation challenges by state AGs.
Comprised of former prosecutors and assistant attorneys general, the team will be co-led by J. William Codinha and Robert Fisher, both formerly of the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office; Erica F. Buckley, former chief of the Real Estate Finance Bureau of the New York Attorney General’s Office; and Travis Hill, a recent former chief of both the Public Integrity Bureau and the Real Estate Enforcement Unit of the New York Attorney General’s Office.
Nixon Peabody has been advising clients on enforcement actions and challenges brought by state AGs for many years, and the firm is in a strong position to address the expected increase in cases out of the various state AG offices and enhanced collaboration between state and federal authorities. The team draws its strength from Nixon Peabody’s deep experience in its Government Investigations & White Collar Defense practice.
“Vast sectors of the American economy are poised to come into the crosshairs of state AGs in 2021,” said Scott O’Connell, chair of Nixon Peabody’s Litigation department. “Our practice thrives on offering the depth of experience that is crucial as businesses navigate this specialized enforcement. Erica, Bill, Rob, and Travis—all formerly of their state AGs’ circle—are ideally positioned to lead this team.”
The team also has a deep bench of experienced defense lawyers who are well-versed in civil and criminal matters involving the False Claims Act, consumer protection, financial and tech fraud, real estate securities, the Martin Act and Executive Law in New York, antitrust, price gouging, environmental, and civil rights, among others. These matters could involve numerous industries including life sciences, health care, real estate, financial services and banking, education, office product supply, telecom, technology, and government contracting.
“State AG actions occurring simultaneously with federal agency inquiries, Department of Justice or SEC enforcement actions, criminal proceedings, and follow-on litigation are becoming increasingly more common,” said David Vicinanzo, leader of Nixon Peabody’s Government Investigations & White Collar Defense practice. “Our attorneys’ collective involvement in decades of multifaceted issues and proceedings provides a foundation to guide clients through these unique experiences.”
In addition to helping clients successfully resolve state AG actions with minimal disruption to their businesses, Nixon Peabody positions clients as advantageously as possible in crisis situations that require immediate response; parallel proceedings; multistate investigations; multifaceted business and legal issues involving potential criminal, regulatory, and civil liability; and reputational issues associated with the challenges of social media and brand protection.
Click here for more information on Nixon Peabody’s State Attorneys General practice team.
