Douglas Friend Gansler

Former Maryland Attorney General and president of the National Association of Attorneys General, Douglas Gansler, co-chair of the State Attorneys General Practice, brings 36 years of public advocacy experience to his representation of businesses and individuals facing federal and state investigations, enforcement actions, and civil and criminal matters involving state attorneys general, the Department of Justice, and other government agencies.

Doug represents clients responding to and defending against attorney general inquiries from across the country, whether in civil lawsuits, regulatory investigations, or both. His practice encompasses matters involving financial services, health care, pharmaceutical, insurance, telecommunications, and other consumer-facing industries. He handles complex litigation cases involving procurement, Title IX, and state and federal criminal matters, as well as multistate matters, and provides regulatory compliance advice.

During his 23 years in government service, Doug served as Maryland Attorney General, Montgomery County State’s Attorney from 1999 to 2007, and an assistant United States Attorney for the District of Columbia from 1992 to 1998. He has acted as first chair in more than 50 jury trials and 100 bench trials, and has argued more than 50 cases in state and federal appellate courts. Doug argued and won a unanimous decision before the U.S. Supreme Court in Maryland v. Shatzer. Following his government service, he was appointed by the Pennsylvania attorney general as special deputy attorney general to investigate the improper use of email by Pennsylvania judges and state employees, and has conducted internal investigations for numerous national corporations.

A recent client noted 'we rely heavily on Doug's profound insights, close relationships, and deep knowledge of the underpinnings of the state Attorneys General Offices whenever we have an issue with an any office in the country, whether Republican or Democrat.'
-A Fortune 500 Client

“Our association has worked with Doug for years in the state Attorney General space. As the former NAAG president and deeply respected by both Democrats and Republican Attorneys General, Doug is extraordinarily smart, accessible, knowledgeable, and connected and is therefore the ideal person for bet-the-company litigation or to represent our members in their many interactions with state Attorneys General.'
- Vice-President, General Counsel, National Trade Association

“When I was falsely accused by the government for things that I did not do, I turned to Doug and God to help guide me through the storm. I would like to think that there was some divine intervention, but what I know is that Doug guided me with his strength, strategy and friendship through the toughest part of my life. In the end, because of his fierce and tireless advocacy, no charges were brought and the dark cloud that had covered me (and my family) for far too long, had finally blown away. I will never forget how Doug stood up for me and in my darkest hours was my brightest light.'- A White Collar Client

Doug has been recognized by Chambers USA for his State Attorneys General practice and The Legal 500 United States in the areas of Corporate Investigations and White Collar Criminal Defense and Cyber Law (Data Protection and Privacy). He was named a 2024 “Leader in Law” by The Daily Record and the Maryland State Bar Association, and to the 2025 and 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America and the 500 Global Leaders in Crisis Management guides. Doug serves as an adjunct professor at American University’s Washington College of Law in Washington, D.C. and frequent guest lecturer at law schools throughout the United States.

Concentrations

•Federal and state investigations, enforcement actions, and civil and criminal matters particularly involving attorneys general and government agencies
•Multistate attorney general inquiries and regulatory investigations across consumer-facing industries
•Complex litigation involving procurement, Title IX, and state and federal criminal matters
•Internal investigations and regulatory compliance counseling
•White collar criminal defense, corporate investigations, and data protection and privacy

Recognition & Leadership

Awards & Accolades

•Listed, Chambers USA Guide, State Attorneys General Practice
•Listed, The Legal 500 United States
•Corporate Investigations and White Collar Criminal Defense
•Cyber Law (Data Protection and Privacy)
•Listed, Lawdragon, 2025-2026
•“500 Leading Litigators in America,” 2025-2026
•“500 Global Leaders in Crisis Management,” 2025-2026
•Listed, The Daily Record and the Maryland State Bar Association, “Leaders in Law,” 2024
•Recipient, The Daily Record, “Innovator of the Year,” 2009