Ashley is a nationally recognized and sought-after strategist and problem solver for clients facing bet-the-company government investigations, enforcement actions, and litigation. Drawing from his experience with industry-shaping, multistate investigations and litigation, he provides clear-cut advice for his clients' toughest challenges.

Overview
Representative Matters
Insights
Awards

Ashley is co-leader of the firm’s nationally ranked State Attorneys General practice, vice chair of the firm, and a partner in its Regulatory Investigations, Strategy + Enforcement (RISE) Practice Group. He helps his clients navigate the complexities involved with multistate attorneys general investigations and enforcement actions, federal agency actions, and accompanying litigation.

Ashley’s clients benefit from his experience as a former deputy attorney general and the insights gained from handling high stakes matters before every state attorney general (AG) in U.S. as well as the federal agencies that regulate his clients’ businesses. While he is experienced across a wide range of heavily regulated sectors, Ashley offers exceptional experience in the financial services industry, including issues involving the Federal Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA), State Consumer Protection laws, and before agencies such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

The outcomes Ashley achieves on behalf of his clients are due, in part, to his knowledge of the regulatory enforcement priorities of each state AG and their approaches to enforcement actions and investigations. His long-standing relationships with personnel at all levels in state AG offices throughout the U.S., combined with his ability to apply effective risk management strategies in the face of multiple government actions and litigations, enables him to efficiently resolve his clients’ largest and most mission-critical challenges. As government scrutiny continues to intensify across many consumer facing industries, Ashley informs his clients of the latest regulatory trends and emerging issues through comprehensive counseling and frequent thought leadership.

Ashley is deeply involved with attorneys general organizations, including the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG). He founded, and co-chairs the American Bar Association committee on state attorneys general matters. He previously served as a commissioner on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, appointed by President Bush from 2004 to 2010.

As a thought leader, Ashley provides ongoing analysis and commentary on regulatory developments. He often writes about issues in the state and federal regulatory landscape, and his work can be found on the firm’s Regulatory Oversight blog.

Multistate State Attorneys General Investigations

  • Representing a national managed health care company in a multistate attorneys general investigation.
  • Selected to serve as an expert witness in a dispute related to a multistate attorneys general investigation.
  • Successfully settled more than a dozen False Claims Act investigations against an international data and analytics company.
  • Successfully resolved a 40-state investigation of a national automobile manufacturer relating to alleged manufacturing defects
  • Successfully resolved a 44-state investigation of a data broker relating to a data breach.
  • Negotiated settlement of a 33-state investigation of a leading pharmacy benefit manager involving “undisclosed” rebates.
  • Drafted and effectively advocated for advancement of National Association of Attorneys General model legislation on behalf of a national trade association.
  • Successfully resolved a multistate investigation of a national pharmaceutical company involving off-label marketing.

Single State Investigations

  • Representing a national delivery service in a state attorneys general investigation.
  • Representing a finance company in an investigation by the Massachusetts Attorney General relating to alleged violations of the state’s False Claims Act and Consumer Protection Act stemming from the company’s auto loan origination, collection, and securitization practices.
  • Representing a tenant screening company in an investigation by the California Attorney General in what is likely the first investigation by that office relating to a newly implemented section of the California Consumer Credit Reporting Agencies Act relating to the prevention of housing and tenant industries from using COVID-19 rental debt as a negative factor for the purposes of evaluating a prospective housing application.
  • Representing the tenant screening company in an investigation by the Massachusetts Attorney General in connection with screening and background check services.

Litigation

  • Representing a publicly traded technology company in a multidistrict litigation arising out of an alleged data breach.
  • Representing a national company in litigation grounded in consumer protection brought by the District of Columbia Attorney General.
  • Representing a government contractor in a multijurisdictional ownership dispute.
  • Represented a national leader in short-term credit solutions in the first Virginia Attorney General investigation following the comprehensive overhaul of nonbank lending legislation.
  • Successfully defended litigation brought by the AG relating to the company’s compliance with the Fairness in Lending Act and Consumer Protection Act.

Compliance and Internal Investigations

  • Representing the majority shareholder of a holding company for several debt collection agencies in connection with the proactive mitigation of potential regulatory risks in more than 35 states and territories.
  • Assisted client concerning a nationwide evaluation of disclosure requirements and developed an outreach and engagement strategy to avert possible adverse regulatory action.
  • Representing a publicly traded utility in an internal investigation relating to potential employee misconduct
  • Representing a municipality in an internal investigation involving the death of a minor who had been placed in the care of the municipality.
  • Chambers USA: State Attorneys General, USA Nationwide (2015-2025)
  • Legal 500 United States: Government: State Attorneys General (2023-2025)
  • Virginia Lawyers Weekly: Go To Lawyer – Business Litigation (2023, 2025)
  • Lawdragon: 500 Global Leaders in Crisis Management (2025)
  • Best Lawyers in America®: Commercial Litigation (2013-2026), Corporate Law (2011-2026), Privacy and Data Security Law (2026), Administrative / Regulatory Law (2026)
  • Virginia Super Lawyers (2021)
  • Legal 500 United States for Firms to Watch editorial for Government: Government Relations (2022)
  • Savoy Magazine: “Most Influential Black Lawyers” (2018)
  • Law and Politics: “Super Lawyer” in Civil Litigation Defense and Consumer Law (2006-2012)
  • Virginia Business Magazine: “Legal Elite” in Legislative and Regulatory (2004, 2010)
  • Virginia Business Magazine: “Legal Elite” in Legislative/Regulatory/Administrative (2020, 2022)
  • Virginia Business Magazine: “Legal Elite” in Civil Litigation (2005, 2007, 2009)
  • Virginia Business Magazine: “Legal Elite” in Administrative/Government/Legislative (2023)
  • National Law Journal: “50 Most Influential Minority Lawyers in America” (2008)
  • Style Weekly: “Top 40 Under 40” (2007)
  • Named by the American Bar Association State and Local Government Section as the “Up and Comer” of the Year (1999)

Ashley is co-leader of the firm’s nationally ranked State Attorneys General practice, vice chair of the firm, and a partner in its Regulatory Investigations, Strategy + Enforcement (RISE) Practice Group. He helps his clients navigate the complexities involved with multistate attorneys general investigations and enforcement actions, federal agency actions, and accompanying litigation.

Ashley’s clients benefit from his experience as a former deputy attorney general and the insights gained from handling high stakes matters before every state attorney general (AG) in U.S. as well as the federal agencies that regulate his clients’ businesses. While he is experienced across a wide range of heavily regulated sectors, Ashley offers exceptional experience in the financial services industry, including issues involving the Federal Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA), State Consumer Protection laws, and before agencies such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

The outcomes Ashley achieves on behalf of his clients are due, in part, to his knowledge of the regulatory enforcement priorities of each state AG and their approaches to enforcement actions and investigations. His long-standing relationships with personnel at all levels in state AG offices throughout the U.S., combined with his ability to apply effective risk management strategies in the face of multiple government actions and litigations, enables him to efficiently resolve his clients’ largest and most mission-critical challenges. As government scrutiny continues to intensify across many consumer facing industries, Ashley informs his clients of the latest regulatory trends and emerging issues through comprehensive counseling and frequent thought leadership.

Ashley is deeply involved with attorneys general organizations, including the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG). He founded, and co-chairs the American Bar Association committee on state attorneys general matters. He previously served as a commissioner on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, appointed by President Bush from 2004 to 2010.

As a thought leader, Ashley provides ongoing analysis and commentary on regulatory developments. He often writes about issues in the state and federal regulatory landscape, and his work can be found on the firm’s Regulatory Oversight blog.

Multistate State Attorneys General Investigations

  • Representing a national managed health care company in a multistate attorneys general investigation.
  • Selected to serve as an expert witness in a dispute related to a multistate attorneys general investigation.
  • Successfully settled more than a dozen False Claims Act investigations against an international data and analytics company.
  • Successfully resolved a 40-state investigation of a national automobile manufacturer relating to alleged manufacturing defects
  • Successfully resolved a 44-state investigation of a data broker relating to a data breach.
  • Negotiated settlement of a 33-state investigation of a leading pharmacy benefit manager involving “undisclosed” rebates.
  • Drafted and effectively advocated for advancement of National Association of Attorneys General model legislation on behalf of a national trade association.
  • Successfully resolved a multistate investigation of a national pharmaceutical company involving off-label marketing.

Single State Investigations

  • Representing a national delivery service in a state attorneys general investigation.
  • Representing a finance company in an investigation by the Massachusetts Attorney General relating to alleged violations of the state’s False Claims Act and Consumer Protection Act stemming from the company’s auto loan origination, collection, and securitization practices.
  • Representing a tenant screening company in an investigation by the California Attorney General in what is likely the first investigation by that office relating to a newly implemented section of the California Consumer Credit Reporting Agencies Act relating to the prevention of housing and tenant industries from using COVID-19 rental debt as a negative factor for the purposes of evaluating a prospective housing application.
  • Representing the tenant screening company in an investigation by the Massachusetts Attorney General in connection with screening and background check services.

Litigation

  • Representing a publicly traded technology company in a multidistrict litigation arising out of an alleged data breach.
  • Representing a national company in litigation grounded in consumer protection brought by the District of Columbia Attorney General.
  • Representing a government contractor in a multijurisdictional ownership dispute.
  • Represented a national leader in short-term credit solutions in the first Virginia Attorney General investigation following the comprehensive overhaul of nonbank lending legislation.
  • Successfully defended litigation brought by the AG relating to the company’s compliance with the Fairness in Lending Act and Consumer Protection Act.

Compliance and Internal Investigations

  • Representing the majority shareholder of a holding company for several debt collection agencies in connection with the proactive mitigation of potential regulatory risks in more than 35 states and territories.
  • Assisted client concerning a nationwide evaluation of disclosure requirements and developed an outreach and engagement strategy to avert possible adverse regulatory action.
  • Representing a publicly traded utility in an internal investigation relating to potential employee misconduct
  • Representing a municipality in an internal investigation involving the death of a minor who had been placed in the care of the municipality.
  • Chambers USA: State Attorneys General, USA Nationwide (2015-2025)
  • Legal 500 United States: Government: State Attorneys General (2023-2025)
  • Virginia Lawyers Weekly: Go To Lawyer – Business Litigation (2023, 2025)
  • Lawdragon: 500 Global Leaders in Crisis Management (2025)
  • Best Lawyers in America®: Commercial Litigation (2013-2026), Corporate Law (2011-2026), Privacy and Data Security Law (2026), Administrative / Regulatory Law (2026)
  • Virginia Super Lawyers (2021)
  • Legal 500 United States for Firms to Watch editorial for Government: Government Relations (2022)
  • Savoy Magazine: “Most Influential Black Lawyers” (2018)
  • Law and Politics: “Super Lawyer” in Civil Litigation Defense and Consumer Law (2006-2012)
  • Virginia Business Magazine: “Legal Elite” in Legislative and Regulatory (2004, 2010)
  • Virginia Business Magazine: “Legal Elite” in Legislative/Regulatory/Administrative (2020, 2022)
  • Virginia Business Magazine: “Legal Elite” in Civil Litigation (2005, 2007, 2009)
  • Virginia Business Magazine: “Legal Elite” in Administrative/Government/Legislative (2023)
  • National Law Journal: “50 Most Influential Minority Lawyers in America” (2008)
  • Style Weekly: “Top 40 Under 40” (2007)
  • Named by the American Bar Association State and Local Government Section as the “Up and Comer” of the Year (1999)

Hear Ashley Taylor on our Regulatory Oversight Podcast

The Regulatory Oversight Podcast analyzes the underlying trends that drive enforcement activity and provides expert perspectives on key focus areas. Featuring insights from members of the firm’s Regulatory Practice Group, including its nationally ranked State Attorneys General practice, with guest commentary from business leaders, regulatory experts, and current and former government officials, our podcast examines a range of topics affecting companies operating in highly regulated industries.

radio microphone with graphic of noise/speaking lines going across image on a blue center fade to black background
  • Fellow, American Bar Association
  • Member, St. Catherine’s School Board of Governors; chair, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee
  • Board member, The Richmond Forum
  • Founding chair, State Attorneys General and Department of Justice Issues Committee, Section of State and Local Government Law, American Bar Association, 2013-present
  • Member, Law360 Consumer Protection Advisory Board (2024-2025)
  • Former and current Board member, St. Christopher’s School, 2009-2015, 2018-2021
  • Member, Virginia Bar Association’s Committee on Federal Judgeships, Eastern District
  • Member, Commission on Virginia Courts in the 21st Century, appointed by Chief Justice Hassell
  • Former member, Executive Counsel, American Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division
  • Former member, Executive Committee, Virginia Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division
  • Former director, Virginia Military Institute Athletic Association (The Keydet Club)
  • Commissioner, United States Commission on Civil Rights, Appointed by President George W. Bush (December 2004–2010)
  • Deputy Virginia attorney general (1998–2001)

Education

  • Washington and Lee University School of Law, J.D., 1993
  • Virginia Military Institute, B.A., 1990

Bar Admissions

  • Virginia
  • District of Columbia

Court Admissions

  • Supreme Court of the United States
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Virginia
  • Supreme Court of Virginia

Clerkships

  • United States District Court, 1993-1995

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