Sectors
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Stephen Cobb

Partner

Stephen Cobb leverages his deep experience in public service and private practice to counsel consumer-facing businesses through investigations, litigation, and regulatory actions. A highly effective trial lawyer, Stephen advocates for clients facing state attorneys general investigations and litigation, using his unique vantage point to help clients navigate complex matters in areas such as consumer protection, data privacy, antitrust, unfair and deceptive trade practices, and environmental enforcement.

Stephen draws on the significant knowledge and relationships he developed during high-level roles in state and federal government. As deputy attorney general for the Commonwealth of Virginia, Stephen led the Government Operations and Transactions division, overseeing a team of more than 60 staff attorneys and with responsibility for advising over 150 commonwealth departments and agencies with combined budgets in excess of US$13 billion. His government background also includes time as a presidential appointee to the U.S. Department of Commerce, serving as a senior adviser to the Undersecretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Returning to private practice, Stephen established a significant track record representing clients in investigations, pre-investigative engagement, and complex state and federal litigation with state attorneys general, congressional committees, and state and federal regulatory agencies.

Stephen’s leadership has also extended to roles as outside counsel to the Harris-Walz presidential campaign, general counsel of the Democratic Party of Virginia, special counsel to Rock the Vote, and as a nonresident fellow at a Washington, D.C., think tank.

Prior to Foley, he was a partner in the Washington, D.C., office of an international law firm.

Awards and Recognition

  • Recognized in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business in the practice area of State Attorney General (2025)
  • Fulbright Specialist, Moldova (2023)
  • Leader in Law, Virginia Lawyers Weekly (2020)
  • Young Leaders Program Cohort, U.S. – Spain Council (2019)
  • Top 40 Under 40, Style Weekly (2019)

Affiliations

  • Democracy Fellow, American Bar Association
  • Former General Counsel, Democratic Party of Virginia
  • Former Special Counsel, Rock the Vote
  • Former adjunct professor, William & Mary Law School
  • Former adjunct professor, Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University
  • Former Senior Fellow, Joseph Rainey Center for Public Policy
  • Board member, Virginia Air & Space Center
  • Board of directors, Federal Bar Association Northern Virginia Chapter
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February 10, 2026 Tariff & International Trade Resource

A New Year and a Renewed Focus on Foreign Influence Laws

While enforcement of FARA had steadily increased in recent years, the first few months of the second Trump administration created uncertainty surrounding the DOJ's prioritization of investigations involving FARA. In the meantime, multiple states are taking up the enforcement mantle with legislation of their own that have disclosure requirements very similar to those contained in FARA. With recent indications from the administration and the DOJ that FARA is still alive and well, risk will exist on multiple fronts for companies and organizations that have ties to foreign entities, receive fundings from foreign sources, and interact with foreign governments.
September 8, 2025 In the News

Stephen Cobb Talks Evolving Role of State Attorneys General in Podcast Appearance

Foley & Lardner LLP partner Stephen Cobb appeared on the Counsel House podcast to assess the shifting balance of power between federal regulators and state attorneys general under the second Trump administration.
June 5, 2025 Press Releases

Foley Secures Top Rankings in Chambers USA 2025

Foley & Lardner LLP is proud to once again be recognized by Chambers & Partners as one of the leading law firms in the country in the 2025 edition of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business.
March 27, 2025 In the News

Foley State Attorneys General Practice Arrivals Featured Across Press

Foley & Lardner LLP partners Siran Faulders and Stephen Cobb and of counsel Meghan Stoppel are featured across legal and business press for their recent arrival to the firm.
March 24, 2025 Press Releases

Foley Expands Prominent State Attorneys General Practice with Addition of Three-Attorney Team

Foley & Lardner LLP announced today that the firm has further strengthened its nationwide State Attorneys General Practice with the addition of three seasoned AG practitioners, partners Siran Faulders and Stephen Cobb in Washington, D.C., and of counsel Meghan Stoppel in Denver, all of whom previously held leadership roles in state AG offices.