State attorneys general continue to play a prominent role in consumer protection enforcement, with many recent actions pushing the boundaries of their broad authority. 2022 saw major initiatives in big tech, public health, and privacy that resulted in significant monetary settlements with detailed injunctive relief. However, some attorneys general are becoming increasingly vocal in their criticisms of multistate enforcement.
Our panel, which includes former state enforcers with decades of experience at state attorney general offices and the National Association of Attorneys General, will examine the underlying authority that state attorneys general have to protect consumers in their states, the legislative and enforcement priorities that they will pursue in 2023, and how the changing landscape of multistate enforcement may impact businesses in the future.
Presenter Bios
Paul Singer, former Texas Associate Deputy Attorney General, focuses his practice on state-level regulatory enforcement actions and State Attorneys General investigations, advertising and marketing, data privacy, and other consumer protection law matters. His unique experience, expertise, and relationships with numerous Attorneys General, Chief Deputies, and consumer protection staff from both political parties benefit clients.
Paul spent more than 20 years at the Texas Attorney General’s office having spent the majority of his time in the Consumer Protection Division, including as Division Chief. Most recently, he served as part of the agency’s Executive Leadership team as the Associate Deputy Attorney General for Civil Litigation, where he oversaw all plaintiff-oriented civil litigation for the Attorney General, including Consumer Protection, Environmental Protection, Antitrust, Civil Medicaid Fraud, and Bankruptcy and Collections. A significant portion of his practice has been leading major multistate investigations, many involving Fortune 500 companies, where he repeatedly led the 50 states and territories to settlement, many for multi-million-dollar recoveries.
Beth Chun focuses her practice on state-level regulatory enforcement actions and State Attorneys General investigations, advertising and marketing, data privacy, and other consumer protection law matters.
Beth comes to Kelley Drye from the Consumer Protection Division of the Office of the Attorney General of Texas. She investigated and prosecuted violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and other state and federal consumer protection laws. Beth led and participated in executive committees of various multi-state investigations into national corporations, acting as principal drafter, and managing and serving as representative in negotiations for Texas and other participating states. She led and assisted in investigations and litigation related to complex or emerging technologies on behalf of the State of Texas.
As the supervisor of the division’s first Intake and Complaint Team, Beth led a team reviewing businesses for potential investigation and responding to consumer inquiries, while developing new division intake processes. While working remotely, she trained and supervised a dozen staff in the complaint entry process to handle consumer complaint surges stemming from Covid-19 and Winter Storm Uri disaster declarations. Beth oversaw the intake of over 30,000 consumer complaints during FY 2020.
Abby Stempson focuses her practice on state-level regulatory enforcement actions and State Attorneys General investigations as well as investigations brought by the Federal Trade Commission and Consumer Financial Bureau and other consumer protection matters.
Abby was previously the director of the National Attorneys General Training and Research Institute’s (NAGTRI) Center for Consumer Protection at the National Association of Attorneys General, where she interacted with Attorneys General and their staff, at every level, in all 50 s
If you intend to take a course for CLE credit, please make sure your state is listed in the "Accreditation" section to the upper right of the program description. Accreditation displayed is unique to the purchased program format (live conference, live webcast, on demand, podcast). Credit totals listed for live conferences are the maximum credits available. Credits issued will be based upon actual time in attendance. Credit totals for other formats are for complete programs. Partial credit is not available for any online or downloadable format.
West LegalEdcenter will not provide accreditation for states not listed.
This product is intended for individual use by the named purchaser. Group viewings for online programs may be arranged for five or more attorneys within the same organization prior to viewing by emailing west.wlec-sales@thomson.com.