The State Attorneys General practice at King & Spalding is praised for the ‘depth of the bench’, both in terms of ’political knowledge’ and ‘subject matter expertise’, with capabilities across life sciences and healthcare, financial services, product liability, energy, technology, and other industry sectors. Operating as a cross-practice group, the team draws on knowledge from across the firm and handles matters ranging from informal inquiries through investigation, trial, and settlement. J.C. Boggs co-chairs the practice from Washington DC, advising on both investigations and ongoing constructive engagement with AGs. Also in DC, co-chair Alicia O’Brien has longstanding experience in crisis management. In San Francisco, Matt Blaschke’s practice focuses on complex litigation involving scientific and technical issues, while Robert Friedman, based in Atlanta, is experienced in product liability and mass tort cases.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘K&S has a great team that can adapt to inquiries on both sides of the political aisle. I appreciate the depth of the bench both from a political knowledge standpoint, but a subject matter expertise perspective across a variety of hot topics for tech companies (in particular, online safety/content moderation and AI). In particular some of their team members are former in-house counsel - folks who are particularly adept at counseling understanding the business POV and the risks and concerns that leadership will care about. ’

  • ‘The team is sharp, driven, and provides great client service, particularly at the partner level. I appreciate the strategic thinking and inputs the team brings to every conversation. They understand what makes us unique as a client and ensure that is reflected in their advice, which is also really important - work and advice feels very tailored to the specific situation and considerations we are facing.

  • 'Nema Milaninia is an exceptional counselor in this space. He's very knowledgeable about issues and considerations relevant to us as a client, and understands the business approach and considerations having previously been in house counsel. He's very available, and quick to respond to requests/inquiries with good, quality thinking and work. And he's a pleasure to work with. ’
  • ‘King & Spalding’s State Attorneys General practice stands out for its depth of real-world government experience, disciplined advocacy, and its ability to translate complex enforcement dynamics into clear, practical guidance for executives. The team brings a strong understanding of how state attorneys general evaluate False Claims Act matters, particularly when investigations intersect with political, regulatory, and public-interest considerations.'

  • 'What distinguishes this practice is its ability to combine authoritative legal analysis with strategic judgment. The team consistently demonstrated an ability to assess risk realistically, anticipate investigative posture, and frame responses in a way that aligned with both the law and the expectations of state government decision-makers. Their work reflected careful analysis of relevant case law and precedent, paired with messaging that was firm, credible, and appropriately calibrated.'
  • 'Compared with other firms, King & Spalding’s approach felt especially integrated and collaborative. Senior partners remained actively involved, communication was clear and timely, and the team showed an appreciation for executive-level concerns beyond the purely legal issues. This combination of experience, clarity, and strategic restraint was instrumental in advancing the matter toward an appropriate resolution.’
Practice head

J.C. Boggs; Alicia O'Brien; Matt Blaschke; Robert Friedman

Other key lawyers

Greg Scott; Ehren Halse; Nema Milaninia; Matthew Rowan