RICHMOND, Va. – April 29, 2025 – Cozen O'Connor today announced litigator and former chief deputy attorney general of Virginia, Charles “Chuck” Slemp, has joined its nationally recognized State Attorneys General Group. Slemp, who was responsible for overseeing Virginia’s consumer protection, debt collection, criminal, outside counsel, and appellate matters, while also representing the state’s AG in a range of capacities, joins Cozen O’Connor as a member and will work out of its Richmond office.
Slemp comes to the firm from Troutman Pepper Locke and brings a lengthy and distinguished background in both law and public service. Having served under four different AGs, he focuses much of his practice on advising and defending clients embroiled in a range of state government investigations and regulatory actions, including Civil Investigative Demands (CIDs), inquiries, regulatory matters, and litigation.
His resume also reflects some 20 years of public and private service in Virginia, which includes serving as the commonwealth’s attorney of Wise County and the city of Norton, commissioner of accounts for the circuit court of Wise County, and Pennington Gap’s town attorney. He previously maintained a private practice, developing a wealth of trial and appellate experience representing clients in federal and state courts and the Virginia Supreme Court.
“With state AGs playing an ever-greater role in regulatory enforcement, adding a litigator with Chuck’s public service track record is a major win for our team and our clients,” said Jerry W. Kilgore, co-chair, State Attorneys General Group. “By knowing what motivates an AG to execute a government action and how the matter will unfold, he’s well equipped to guide and represent our clients in an array of enforcement matters. I’ve known Chuck for years and I’m incredibly happy to welcome him aboard.”
Having served as a board member of the Virginia Crime Commission, the Virginia State Bar Criminal Law Section, the Virginia Violent Crime Task Force and the state’s Organized Retail Crime Workgroup, Slemp will continue to focus his practice on health care, Medicare and Medicaid fraud, as well as issues related to tobacco, cannabis, gaming, financial services, data privacy, and information security. He also brings experience in higher education, having led the external investigation into the shooting at the University of Virginia in 2022.
“Chuck has an impressive strategic network with his peers,” said Dustin McDaniel, co-chair, State Attorneys General. “He understands the dynamics and politics of an AG’s Office, and he brings long-term bipartisan relationships with AGs and their senior staffs, both in Virginia and across the country. Chuck is an experienced prosecutor and litigator who is respected by Democrats and Republicans alike.”
Outside of the office, Slemp has served as an adjunct faculty member at multiple universities, including Virginia Tech, Regent University School of Law, Mary Baldwin University, and the University of Virginia’s College at Wise. His course topics range from American government and public policy to business and contract law.
“I’m thrilled to be a part of a firm that offers clients a comprehensive and integrated suite of government-facing and regulatory solutions,” Slemp said. “Together we have an unsurpassed ability to provide counsel — and when necessary vigorously defend — to help clients achieve their strategic objectives at the intersection of business and government.”
Slemp earned his J.D. at Regent University School of Law; an M.A. in government, law and public policy at Regent University; and a B.A. in business administration at University of Virginia’s College of Wise. He also participated in Anglo-American constitutional studies as a postgraduate student at Oxford University’s Hertfort College.
About Cozen O’Connor
Established in 1970, Cozen O’Connor has over 925 attorneys who help clients manage risk and make better business decisions. The firm counsels clients on their most sophisticated legal matters in all areas of the law, including litigation, corporate, and regulatory law. Representing a broad array of leading global corporations and middle market companies, Cozen O’Connor serves its clients’ needs through 33 offices across two continents.