#United States #Washington, D.C. #Greenberg Traurig #Douglas Gansler #Stephen Ruckman

Greenberg Traurig's Expansion in Washington, D.C.

Global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP has announced a significant expansion of its presence in Washington, D.C., by appointing Douglas Gansler as co-chair of its nationwide State Attorneys General Practice. Gansler, who has an extensive background in public service and legal advocacy, previously led the State Attorneys General Practice at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP. His wealth of experience includes serving as the Attorney General of Maryland, Special Deputy Attorney General for Pennsylvania, and President of the National Association of Attorneys General.

Alongside Gansler, Stephen Ruckman joins the practice as a shareholder, also transferring from Cadwalader. Ruckman brings significant experience, having served as a Senior Policy Advisor to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and as an Assistant Attorney General in the Maryland Office of the Attorney General's Executive Division.

The legal landscape for state attorneys general is shifting, with an increasing need for specialized expertise to navigate complex litigation scenarios. Richard A. Rosenbaum, Executive Chairman of Greenberg Traurig, commented on this evolution: “As state attorneys general expand the frequency and scope of their litigation, the demand for comprehensive expertise in handling these multifaceted matters has become paramount.” He further emphasized Gansler's over 35 years of public advocacy and successful client representation as key additions to their practice.

With Gansler and Ruckman, Greenberg Traurig aims to strengthen its practice further. The co-chairing with Michael A. Berlin enhances the robustness of the team, which includes eight former Assistant Attorneys General and more than two dozen attorneys experienced in dealing with State AG matters. Gansler's focus spans various industries, including financial services, health care, pharmaceuticals, insurance, and telecommunications, underscoring his ability to defend clients against inquiries from attorney generals in civil lawsuits and regulatory investigations. Notably, Gansler has participated as the first chair in over 50 jury trials and won numerous cases in state and federal appellate courts, including a unanimous decision from the U.S. Supreme Court in the notable case of Maryland v. Shatzer.

The growth of Greenberg Traurig’s State Attorneys General Practice underscores its commitment to providing top-tier legal representation in the capital region. Co-President and Chairman of the firm’s Washington office, Ernest LaMont Greer, noted the firm is focused on recruiting exceptional legal talent and mentioned Gansler's extensive experience in multistate AG litigation as a valuable asset. Ruckman's role will further reinforce the firm's capabilities, particularly in privacy, data security, and telecommunications law.

Both Gansler and Ruckman are expected to leverage Greenberg Traurig's extensive network across its 51 locations worldwide to enhance the practice's reach and efficacy in addressing the challenges faced by clients navigating federal and state enforcement actions.

Gansler, during his tenure in government service, held the position of Montgomery County State's Attorney from 1999 to 2007 and served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia from 1992 to 1998. He was tasked with investigating improper email usage among state judges and employees in Pennsylvania as a Special Deputy Attorney General. Currently, he is also an adjunct professor at American University Washington College of Law and regularly lectures at law schools across the United States. Gansler earned his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law and his B.A., cum laude, from Yale University.

Ruckman’s practice centers around federal and state investigations involving privacy, cyber risk, and telecommunications regulations. He was instrumental at the FCC in modernizing enforcement for online privacy protections and coordinating state-federal enforcement initiatives. Ruckman has experience in the higher education sector, having served at Johns Hopkins University as a senior advisor to the president for policy, where he focused on data retention, intellectual property, and online privacy.

The recent appointments of Gansler and Ruckman are part of a broader trend within Greenberg Traurig to enhance its capabilities in Washington, D.C., and reflect its solid trajectory of growth within the legal sector. This strategic expansion aims to respond effectively to client needs for specialized expertise in a rapidly evolving legal landscape.

In conclusion, Greenberg Traurig's continuous commitment to enhancing its legal capabilities by recruiting experienced professionals like Douglas Gansler and Stephen Ruckman signals a bright future for its State Attorneys General Practice, equipping it to tackle complex challenges and deliver exceptional legal counsel to its clients.