Sectors
A man in a blue suit and light blue tie smiles at the camera, standing in a blurred indoor corporate law office setting.

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 (2025-2026)
  • 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
November 6, 2026 Events

Election Results Are In: What the 2026 Midterm Election Results Mean for Congress, the Administration, and Your Business

The 2026 midterm elections will reset the political landscape — and organizations across industries will need to understand what comes next. Join Foley & Lardner for a timely post-election briefing that goes beyond the headlines to examine the results, the new balance of power in Congress, and the Trump Administration’s likely response.
November 5, 2026 Events

The States Have Spoken: What the Attorneys General Election Results Mean for Business

State Attorneys General are playing an increasingly prominent role in shaping the legal and regulatory environment for businesses. Join Foley & Lardner for a timely post-election webinar examining the results of the 2026 State Attorneys General elections and what the outcomes may mean for state enforcement priorities, multistate investigations, litigation, and regulatory activity.
October 9, 2026 Foley Viewpoints

2026 State Attorneys General Election Report

This Special Report examines the 2026 State AG election landscape, highlights state races to watch, explores key enforcement and policy trends, and offers practical considerations for companies preparing for the election season and the transition period that follows.
October 9, 2026 Press Releases

Foley Releases 2026 State AG Election Report and Interactive Map on Key Races and Enforcement Trends

Foley & Lardner LLP released today its 2026 State Attorneys General Election Report, a special report examining why the upcoming attorneys general (AG) races matter and how this election cycle may affect the state enforcement, regulatory, and litigation landscape for businesses across the country. In light of the 33 attorneys general elections (30 states, Washington, D.C., Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands) in November 2026 there will be, at a minimum, 11 new attorneys general in January 2027.
September 8, 2026 Foley Viewpoints

What the Midterm Elections Mean for Congressional Oversight and Investigations

Congressional investigations are one of the most effective tools Congress uses to influence private-sector behavior, shape public narratives, and exert pressure where legislation may be harder to advance. In a divided government where no single party controls the White House, U.S. House and U.S. Senate, these investigations become powerful tools for lawmakers.  As a result, the midterm elections may have significant implications for congressional oversight activity affecting companies, executives, boards, nonprofits, and other organizations with meaningful ties to federal policy, funding, or regulation.
June 4, 2026 Press Releases

Foley Achieves Top Rankings in Chambers USA 2026

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.