Michael Yaghi

Michael is a partner in the firm’s State Attorneys General and Regulatory Investigations, Strategy + Enforcement (RISE) Practice Groups. As part of these nationwide teams, he advises clients on consumer protection, advertising enforcement, and a broad range of regulatory matters. The Legal 500 United States recognizes Michael as a key lawyer in the firm’s State Attorneys General practice. Based in the firm’s Orange County office, Michael represents clients in regulatory enforcement investigations involving all aspects of their businesses, including advertising and sales practices, consumer lending and financial services (including Tribal lending), monthly membership programs, automatic renewal programs, telemarketing and telephone solicitations, door-to-door sales practices, testimonials, and endorsements. Having begun his career as a commercial litigator, he also supports clients through litigation when investigations progress in that direction.

Michael represents companies in regulatory enforcement matters brought by state attorneys general, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), and state consumer financial and banking regulators. These matters frequently involve inquiries into advertising campaigns, consumer financial products and services, promotional materials, marketing and sales practices, emerging media marketing — including social networks and blogs — telemarketing campaigns, text marketing, email marketing (CAN-SPAM), and other regulatory issues affecting consumer marketing and sales. Throughout each investigation, Michael provides clients with clear guidance regarding likely developments and potential outcomes, assists in developing effective response strategies, and works to guide pending investigations toward favorable resolutions.

Michael also advises clients on state and federal Tribal consumer lending enforcement matters. He counsels Tribal lending entities and their business partners on the full range of regulatory and enforcement challenges that arise in the Tribal lending space, including issues involving Tribal sovereign immunity, the applicability of state consumer protection and usury laws, and federal oversight by the FTC and CFPB. Michael helps Tribal and related entities navigate the complex intersection of Tribal, state, and federal authority.

Michael also represents clients in matters before California regulators and brings substantial experience with the state’s comprehensive consumer protection framework. He regularly appears before the California Attorney General’s Office and the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI), including in matters arising under California consumer protection laws, the California Consumer Financial Protection Law, and other consumer lending and financial services statutes. His experience with these agencies enables him to manage the procedural and substantive demands of California regulatory enforcement and to develop strategies tailored to the state’s active enforcement environment.

Michael also draws on his experience with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), assisting clients in strengthening their relationships with regional BBBs and the Council of Better Business Bureaus. By helping clients transform potentially ineffective interactions into constructive engagements, he supports efforts to foster public trust, enhance credibility, improve BBB ratings, and position clients for BBB accreditation. His work in this area has contributed to meaningful improvements in client BBB ratings and successful accreditation outcomes, resulting in fewer customer complaints, more favorable media coverage, and reduced state and federal regulatory scrutiny.

• Representing a consumer lender and servicer in connection with enforcement actions, investigations, and litigation brought by multiple state AGs and the FTC.
• Representing a national cable and telecommunications provider in separate investigations by multiple state attorneys general, focusing on the marketing and sales practices of cable and broadband internet services to consumers in those states.
• Representing a satellite television provider in an investigation by a state concerning the promotion and sale of equipment protection plans and the availability of certain local channels.
• Providing strategic counsel to a leading home and utility services marketing company in multiple investigations state attorneys general offices, focusing on issues such as earnings claims, training practices, and the promotion of electric products.
• Representing an online membership fashion retailer in a 40-state investigation related to the company’s monthly membership and social media practices.
• Successfully assisted several clients in settling a multistate regulatory inquiry by 47 states and the District of Columbia. These clients run discount clubs and membership programs, offering a variety of services such as credit monitoring, roadside assistance, and discounted travel.
• Represented an American broadcasting company in an inquiry by 47 states relating to the company’s advertising, auto-renewal subscriptions, and similar customer service issues.
• Represented a television broadcaster in a nationwide multistate investigation involving its sales and disclosure practices to consumers.
• Successfully represented a television broadcaster in an investigation by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and subsequent litigation by the FTC over the client’s disclosures to consumers.
• Represented an online for-profit school to resolve an inquiry by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) about its educational program disclosures to students.
• Represented numerous clients in single-state consumer regulatory inquiries covering many topics, including sales practices, auto renewal plans, telemarketing, telephone solicitations, door-to-door sales tactics, mental health parity laws, and sellers of travel services.
• Represented many clients in resolving investigations brought by the FTC inquiring about advertising campaigns and sales disclosures to consumers.
• Represented banks in response to FTC Civil Investigative Demands targeting bank customers.

• Legal 500 United States: Government: State Attorneys General (2023-2026)