Hogan Lovells boosts thriving State AG practice by naming partner Jason Downs as Co-Head, adding D.C. AG alum Lauren Cooper as counsel, and promoting Abby Wilhelm to Director

Hogan Lovells' State AG Practice continues to expand amid a recent wave of State AG regulatory and enforcement activity prompted by recent federal policy changes.

"Our State AG practice is shaping the way companies navigate multistate investigations, regulatory risk, and complex litigation," said Adam K. Levin, Practice Area Leader for the Litigation practice in the Americas. "As demand for work in this space grows, elevating Jason to this leadership role and bringing on Lauren reflects the strength of our practice and our ability to meet the moment."

Racine said: "Our objective is to be the best State AG practice in the country that focuses on defending clients against investigations, enforcement actions, and litigation. Elevating Jason to co-head recognizes his leadership and talent. I'm confident that clients will continue to retain our firm on matters of great import to them. I am also extremely excited to have Lauren join our team."

"With the recent surge in State AG activity, it's more important than ever for us to continue to recruit talented and respected leaders in the State AG community," Racine added. "Jason and Lauren are extremely experienced litigators and have immense credibility with State AG offices throughout the country. As alumni of the highly regarded D.C. AG's office, they bring powerful insight to how best to adapt to the ever-changing regulatory, enforcement, and litigation landscape," he said.

Downs previously served as Chief Deputy Attorney General for the District of Columbia during Racine's tenure as D.C. AG. He is an experienced first-chair trial lawyer who engages with government enforcement agencies and represents clients in State AG investigations, white-collar investigations, and ESG matters.

As Chief Deputy AG, Downs managed all legal matters for the District of Columbia, providing strategic leadership on enforcement actions, including multistate cases. He has extensive experience in antitrust, consumer protection, workers’ rights, and civil rights. Before joining the D.C. AG’s office, Downs served as lead counsel in 26 felony jury trials at the Public Defender Service. In private practice, he has represented clients in enforcement actions from various government entities, offering strategic advice on investigations and civil rights audits. His recent work includes helping Fortune 500 companies mitigate risk, improve equity in hiring, and manage community impact.

"I am honored to take on this new role, working with this incredible team to continue to advise clients on some of the most complex and high-profile investigations and litigation in the country," said Downs. "State AG activity shows no signs of slowing down, but businesses can rely on our team to develop effective solutions to these evolving state regulatory challenges and help ensure they stay ahead of emerging litigation risks, no matter where they operate."

As First Assistant Attorney General in Washington, D.C., Cooper supervised the Office of Attorney General's (OAG) Divisions and advised AG Brian L. Schwalb on the full range of issues affecting the agency, including management of OAG’s annual budget of more than $150 million. Prior to this role, she served as Chief of Staff and Senior Counsel, overseeing OAG’s legislative, communications, grants, and community engagement efforts, and advised the Attorney General on OAG’s legal practice and operations.

Cooper also served as the Special Counsel for Public Safety and Youth Initiatives and as a Trial Attorney in OAG’s Domestic Violence and Special Victims Section. Before her time at OAG, Cooper was an Assistant District Attorney in the Crimes Against Children Division at the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office in Dallas, Texas.

"I am so pleased to join Hogan Lovells at such a critical moment for this practice," Cooper said. "Joining this exceptional team allows me to leverage my experience to help build on their already strong bench, to effectively guide clients through the current regulatory environment and any State AG inquiries they might face."

Wilhelm will serve as the Director of Strategy and External Affairs for the State AG practice, further underscoring the growing importance of this work. In her previous position as Senior Business Manager and Policy Advisor, Wilhelm was instrumental in developing operational and strategic direction for the practice.

Racine said: "Abby has been an invaluable strategic and business leader, and has been key to our team’s success in developing and serving clients. A recent graduate of the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business (MBA), Abby brings a client-centered approach to growing our practice."