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Christopher Allen

Member

: Washington, D.C.
1200 19th Street, NW
3rd Floor
Washington, D.C. 20036
P: (202) 471-3421
TF: (800) 540-1355
F: (202) 861-1905

Christopher Allen

Christopher Allen represents clients in connection with complex investigations, litigation and public policy advocacy on the state and federal level. As a member of the firm’s State Attorneys General Practice, Chris primarily handles state government negotiations, investigations and litigation in the areas of consumer protection, antitrust, data breach and information security, and environmental protection.

In the consumer protection realm, Chris represents clients before state government officials from a diverse array of industries, including telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, financial services, nutrition supplements, retail, and student and consumer lending. For instance, he has assisted major drug companies in connection with multistate drug pricing investigations and litigation and represented lenders in False Claims Act and consumer debt collection matters. He frequently advises clients on information security legal notice and compliance responsibilities and represents clients before state attorneys general in connection with major data breaches.

With respect to antitrust, Chris has guided telecommunications and pharmaceutical clients through antitrust reviews of major mergers by state attorneys general. He has worked to obtain the amici curiae support of state attorneys general in litigation before the U.S. Supreme Court on issues related to antitrust liability, arbitration and the availability of punitive damages.

Chris has extensive products liability experience, having served as outside counsel to several manufacturers in the context of Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) investigations and litigation. He represents consumer products manufacturers and distributors in product recalls, compliance matters and industry-wide investigations led by the CPSC.

Chris was a recipient of the Phi Delta Phi Award for Excellence in Jurisprudence and Professional Responsibility and a vice president of the Mock Trial Board at The George Washington University Law School. He also maintains an active pro bono practice, including representing the Society of Former Agents of the FBI as amicus curiae before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit on the issue of federal tort liability, and regularly serves as a guest judge for collegiate and law school mock trial competitions.

Experience

Assisted a major pharmaceutical company in connection with multistate investigations and litigation on prescription drug pricing and continues to represent pharmaceutical clients in designing outreach strategies to state governments on pricing and prescription drug coverage.

Represented clients with state and federal False Claims Act (“FCA”) matters concerning student lending standards and practices; allegations of “robo-signing” and other mortgage lending practices; and consumer debt collection practices.

Counseled a distributor of children’s products on compliance issues and represented that company in conducting several recalls based on children’s product and general safety standards, including flammability.

Counseled a children’s apparel company on consumer product safety compliance.

Represented a recreational products manufacturer in an industry-wide investigation by the CPSC into safety standards and testing.

Counseled clients with respect to compliance and other issues regarding California’s unique Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act (“Proposition 65”).

Represented clients regarding proposed federal legislation regulating manufacturers’ use of specific chemicals.

Secured dismissal of a qui tam action filed against our client, a provider of mortgage lender processing services, alleging violations of the federal False Claims Act, as well as those from almost two dozen states, stemming from allegedly faulty assignments created in connection with mortgage-backed-securities trusts. In dismissing the action, the federal district court accepted the argument that the relator had not offered specific facts necessary to plead that the allegedly fraudulent scheme resulted in the submission of specific false claims nor did she plead allegations sufficient to create a reasonable inference that false claims necessarily were submitted. This result was affirmed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

News

Herbalife Settles with FTC and Illinois Attorney General’s Office

July 18, 2016

Cozen O’Connor’s State Attorneys General Practice represented Herbalife International, Inc. and Herbalife International of America, Inc. in separate settlements with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Illinois Attorney General’s Office.

Cozen O’Connor Launches New State Attorneys General Practice with Addition of Nationally Acclaimed State AG Practice

May 05, 2015

On the heels of its recent announcement of the addition of 60 lawyers in Chicago, Cozen O’Connor is proud to announce the addition of ten attorneys and government professionals and the formation of the firm’s State Attorneys General Practice.

GNC Lawsuit: Dietary Supplement Companies Can Adapt to Focus of State AGs [Natural Products Insider]

August 31, 2016

Lori Kalani and Chris Allen discuss the implications of the Oregon State AG's lawsuit against GNC for the dietary supplements industry.

The State AG Report Weekly Update November 19, 2015 [The State AG Report Blog]

November 19, 2015

Antitrust Seven Attorneys General and the Federal Government Approve Merger of Two Financial Services Companies After previously raising concerns over the impact on competition, seven AGs and the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) approved the acquisition of OneMain Financial Holdings, LLC, by...

The State AG Report Weekly Update October 15, 2015 [The State AG Report Blog]

October 15, 2015

Consumer Protection Technology Companies Partner with Attorneys General, Others to Bring New Technologies Into Fight Against Missing and Exploited Children New York AG Eric Schneiderman announced a partnership with Facebook to use innovative data and analytical methods to aid law enforcement in...

The State AG Report Weekly Update October 1, 2015 [The State AG Report Blog]

October 01, 2015

Campaign Finance Washington Attorney General Sues Employee Union and PAC for Alleged Campaign Finance Violations Washington AG Bob Ferguson filed a lawsuit against the Service Employees International Healthcare 775NW (“SEIU 775”) and political action committee SEIU 775 Quality Care Committee...

The State AG Report Weekly Update August 13, 2015 [The State AG Report Blog]

August 13, 2015

Breaking News NAAG Forms New Committee Focused on Agriculture South Dakota AG Marty Jackley, President of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG), announced the formation of a new NAAG committee to address legal challenges facing farmers, ranchers, and the agriculture industry. The...

The State AG Report Weekly Update June 25, 2015 [The State AG Report Blog]

June 25, 2015

Breaking News NAAG Elects New Leadership The National Association of Attorneys General (“NAAG”) elected new leadership at its annual Summer Meeting, which took place June 16-18 in San Diego, California. South Dakota AG Marty Jackley will serve as President of NAAG for the 2015-2016 term....

The State AG Report Weekly Update June 4, 2015 [The State AG Report Blog]

June 04, 2015

Antitrust Ohio Attorney General and DOJ Investigate Movie Theater Chains for Possible Antitrust Violations Ohio AG Mike DeWine and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) have sent civil investigative demands (CIDs) to AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc., Regal Entertainment Group, and Cinemark...

2017 Guide to State Attorneys General [Map]

May 05, 2015

The guide includes information on attorney generals in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Commonwealth, and Territories of the United States, including a photos, year first elected or appointed, political party affiliation, leadership positions and brief background summaries.

Practice Areas

Cozen O'Connor Public Strategies - Government Relations

Government & Regulatory

State Attorneys General

Industry Sectors

Cannabis

Education

The George Washington University Law School, J.D., with honors, 2007
Baylor University, B.A., 2004

Bar Admissions

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