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

  • 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