Hunton & Williams LLP partners with clients to provide concrete solutions to their advertising and consumer law challenges.
Advertisers face unprecedented scrutiny from the Federal Trade Commission and state Attorneys General, both of which aggressively monitor and challenge advertising and marketing practices. Competitors have become much more aggressive in using both the Lanham Act and the National Advertising Division to challenge advertising. The constant threat of class action lawsuits alleging unfair and deceptive practices poses yet another concern. And, state legislators continue to propose and enact complex and often inconsistent legislation that restricts how companies can conduct business in their states. Hunton & Williams helps its clients meet these challenges through its talent and experience.
Several of our attorneys joined Hunton & Williams from the Federal Trade Commission, including former Director of Advertising Practices, Melvin H. Orlans. Other attorneys, such as Lawrence J. Bracken, II and Cassandra C. Collins, have distinguished themselves in private litigation, especially consumer class action defense.
Our clients include some of the world's largest companies across a broad spectrum of industries: consumer electronics, consumer appliances, computers and peripherals, internet and mail order, petroleum and lubricants, and internet service, among others.
We enhance the quality of our clients' experience with responsive, useful answers. Our attorneys are able to provide these solutions as a result of our extensive monitoring of advertising and consumer law developments, as well as through our experience representing clients before the Federal Trade Commission, state Attorneys General, the National Advertising Division, and in Lanham Act lawsuits.
In the recent past, Hunton & Williams has served as lead counsel in numerous advertising and consumer law matters, including:
- Consumer class action alleging false advertising and violation of unfair trade practices statutes. Obtained defense verdict on behalf of Fortune 50 company after a three-week trial.
- Federal Trade Commission investigation of the advertising and marketing practices of a technology company. Matter closed without action taken.
- Federal Trade Commission investigation of marketing practices of an information services company. Matter closed without action taken.
- Multiple consumer class actions in nine jurisdictions alleging deceptive and unfair trade practices in the advertising and sale of consumer electronics and computer products.
- Attorney general investigations of technology and telecommunications companies alleging false advertising and deceptive marketing practices.
- National Advertising Division proceedings representing Fortune 100 companies in challenges by competitors alleging false advertising.