Denver and Washington, D.C., March 2, 2021 – Cozen O’Connor is pleased to announce that former Consumer Protection Division Chief and Assistant Attorney General Meghan Stoppel has joined the firm’s Denver and Washington D.C., offices as a member in the State Attorneys General Practice. Stoppel has served in high-level public roles and led and resolved multistate investigations in key industries including education, financial services, health care, and pharmaceuticals. She also understands the regulatory challenges facing general counsels, having served in a privacy and marketing compliance role for a multibillion dollar consumer-facing corporation.
In her role as Consumer Protection Division Chief, Stoppel represented Nebraska in cases involving alleged violations of Nebraska’s Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act, Consumer Protection Act, Nonprofit Corporation Act, and other state and federal consumer protection laws. She has a deep knowledge of deceptive and unfair trade practices, data privacy and security, antitrust and competition matters, nonprofits, tobacco regulation, and charitable trusts and how to help clients develop compliance strategies that align with their business goals.
Prior to her work in the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office, Stoppel served almost a decade as an assistant attorney general for the Kansas Attorney General’s Office. There she directed all investigations involving compliance with the Kansas No Call Act, the TCPA, the Telemarketing Sales Rule, CAN-SPAM, and the state’s data breach statute, while also investigating alleged violations of the Kansas Consumer Protection Act and other state and federal consumer protection laws. She has been recognized for her frequent collaborations with federal law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Department of Justice, FTC, FCC, and CFPB, to ensure consistent interpretation and judicious application of federal consumer protection laws.
“There is a responsibility that comes with having the preeminent State Attorneys General Practice in the United States. We are constantly striving to interpret and advise on some of the most complex regulatory issues and government investigations that impact our clients’ very existence,” said Lori Kalani, co-chair of the firm’s State Attorneys General Practice. “Meghan further expands our geographical reach and provides additional depth and experience when it comes to investigations and enforcement of consumer protection and deceptive trade practices rules.”
Stoppel led the National Association of Attorneys General’s wireless telecommunications working group while in Kansas, and NAAG’s dietary supplements working group while in Nebraska. She organized advocacy efforts by AGs directed to relevant policymakers such as the FCC and the FDA, and executed policy initiatives that positively impacted the economy, while defending consumers’ rights. During her time as an assistant attorney general in Kansas and during her tenure in Nebraska, Stoppel was a faculty member of the National Association of Attorneys General Training & Research Institute (NAGTRI) in Washington, D.C., where she provided training on complex civil litigation issues and trial advocacy skills for AG office staff throughout the United States.
She supported the Nebraska Attorney General in his role as co-chair of the National Association of Attorneys General’s Antitrust Committee and as co-chair of NAAG’s Consumer Protection and Charities Committees. Stoppel’s deep relationships in the state attorneys general community, and her commitment to ensuring Cozen O’Connor’s clients understand their consumer protection obligations, makes her a valuable addition to the Cozen O’Connor State Attorneys General Practice.
“Meghan brings the perfect complement of skills to expand our existing experience in consumer protection,” said Bernard Nash, co-chair of Cozen O’Connor’s State Attorneys General Practice. “Her vital relationships and ability to analyze and disseminate new privacy legislation and enforcement policies will add enormous value for our clients.”
“Having the opportunity to join the most robust State Attorneys General Practice in the United States is truly an honor and a unique opportunity. I am excited to bring my focus on consumer protection and deceptive trade practices and collaborate with my esteemed colleagues,” Stoppel said. “Cozen O’Connor clients will benefit from my experience and the relationships that I have established within the complex world of attorneys general. It is my goal to ensure that our clients are aware of new legislation and policies, and that their rights are fully defended at all times.”
Stoppel’s addition follows the recent hire of former Wisconsin Deputy Attorney General Paul W. Connell as the firm continues to experience significant growth in the State Attorneys General Practice. Cozen O’Connor’s State Attorneys General practice is the largest practice in the United States focusing on this legal area. With the advent of a new administration coupled with the economic and regulatory ramifications stemming from the pandemic, Cozen O’Connor remains uniquely focused on protecting its clients and serving as a trusted and experienced adviser.
Stoppel earned her B.A. in history and communications study from Texas Christian University where she graduated magna cum laude and was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society. She received her J.D. from the University of Colorado, School of Law where she received the Melanie Ruth Vogl Memorial Scholarship.
About Cozen O’Connor
Established in 1970, Cozen O’Connor has over 825 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 32 offices across two continents.