Chuck’s more than 20 years’ public service, culminating in his role as chief deputy to the Virginia attorney general, together with his years as a trial lawyer, well equips him to provide legal counsel at the intersection of government and business. He understands the politics and dynamics of AG offices and government agencies, and can translate that understanding into practical strategies to guide clients facing AG investigations or litigation.
As chief deputy AG in Virginia, Chuck was the chief operating officer for the state’s legal department, encompassing consumer protection, debt collection, criminal, outside counsel, and appellate matters, and represented the AG in a range of fora and capacities. He was also responsible for reviewing and approving all Civil Investigative Demands (CIDs) issued by the office, as well as legal pleadings filed on behalf of the commonwealth. His oversight extended to settlements entered into by the office, including those resulting from multistate investigations and enforcement actions either led by or joined by the office. This understanding of what motivates an AG’s office to initiate regulatory actions, and the factors at play in reaching a settlement, are invaluable to clients facing regulatory enforcement.
Chuck has worked with clients across a wide range of industry sectors spanning health care, financial services, gaming, education, cannabis, and tobacco. He brings a deep understanding of the issues that commonly draw the attention of state attorneys general, such as Medicare and Medicaid fraud, consumer protection, data privacy and information security, the use of artificial intelligence, and deceptive or unfair trade practices. His wealth of trial and appellate experience throughout the commonwealth, appearing himself in federal and state courts right up to the Virginia Supreme Court and managing teams of attorneys handling complex litigation and investigations, bolster the ability of the Cozen O’Connor State AG Group to handle any state AG enforcement action.
In addition to serving in the Virginia AG’s office in a variety of different roles under four attorneys general, Chuck was an elected official in county and municipal offices, and led the largest prosecutor’s office in southwestern Virginia, coordinating complex multi-jurisdictional law enforcement operations. He has also led various commissions and task forces aimed at improving public safety, criminal justice, economic development, and community well-being, and served in a quasi-judicial capacity as commissioner of accounts and general receiver responsible for Virginia’s probate court, conducting hearings on a wide range of issues, including the sufficiency of fiduciary bonds, creditors’ claims, and disputes involving estate administration.