NEW YORK, March 2, 2026 – International law firm Cozen O’Connor today announced Lyndsay V. Ruotolo — a highly accomplished and sought after prosecutor and legal leader whose career spans federal violent crime litigation, major criminal investigations, complex administrative oversight, and civil litigation — has joined its award-winning State Attorneys General Group. Ruotolo, who most recently served as first assistant attorney general for the state of New Jersey, the second highest ranking official in the state’s Department of Law and Public Safety, joins the group as member and will work out of Cozen O’Connor’s New York City office.
As the second-in-command reporting directly to the attorney general, Ruotolo managed an 8,000-employee department, 21 county prosecutor’s offices, and more than 42,000 New Jersey state law enforcement officers. Her responsibilities included overseeing all major investigations, regulatory decisions, and civil enforcement matters ranging from consumer protection actions in the technology and financial services space to civil rights and voter protection issues. During her tenure, she played a central role in major consumer protection cases, including a $495 million settlement with an international financial institution, one of the largest civil settlement awards ever obtained by the state of New Jersey.
“Our clients rely on us to analyze and interpret an AGs’ interests and understand how those interests inform their enforcement and policy priorities, either alone or in multi-state actions,” said Jerry W. Kilgore, a former Virginia Attorney General and co-chair of the State Attorneys General Group.
“Lyndsay brings to us a deep understanding of how the New Jersey AG’s office operates, as well as her national reputation of experience of working with states on cutting edge matters — including consumer protection, antitrust, cybersecurity, data privacy, the environment, finance, and labor relations. She is a fantastic addition to our group, and we are very much looking forward to working with her,” said Dustin McDaniel, co-chair of the State Attorneys General Group.
Ruotolo also served as the director of the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) and as a Union County prosecutor, where she oversaw New Jersey’s major criminal units responsible for investigating and prosecuting violent crime, organized crime, corruption, and financial offenses. In those roles, she directed attorneys and investigators engaged daily in complex statewide investigations, ensuring that major cases — from violent crime conspiracies to multijurisdictional criminal networks — were prosecuted effectively and ethically.
“Having served in a number of senior government positions, Lyndsay brings to our clients a sophisticated, first-hand understanding of how policy positions are formulated and enforced, as well as long-standing professional relationships within the New Jersey state government itself,” said Geoffrey D. Ferrer, co-managing partner of Cozen O’Connor’s New York City office. “When an AG focuses attention on a client’s activities or business practices and an investigation or lawsuit ensues, Lyndsay has the experience to develop and execute a vigorous defense. She’s an important hire and I’m happy to welcome her to the New York office.”
Earlier in her career, Ruotolo served as an assistant U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey, where she prosecuted violent crime cases, coordinating with federal investigative agencies, presenting cases to the grand jury, and litigating matters in federal court. Prior to entering government service, Ruotolo worked in commercial litigation at McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter, handling civil disputes involving complex motion practice and discovery.
“I’ve long admired Cozen O’Connor and its State Attorneys General group and I’m excited to begin the next chapter of my career here,” Ruotolo said. “I’m looking forward to bringing the strategic and results-driven mindset I used to serve the people of New Jersey to work for our clients in helping them resolve difficult legal issues and move their businesses forward. I am thrilled and honored to join this incredible team of attorneys and professionals.”
Ruotolo earned her J.D. from New York Law School and a B.F.A. from the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University.
About Cozen O’Connor
Established in 1970, Cozen O’Connor has over 1,000 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 35 offices across two continents.
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