Director of Consumer Protection – Deputy Attorney General

State of Delaware•Dover, DE

10d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Delaware Department of Justice is seeking an exceptional attorney and leader to head the Consumer Protection Unit (CPU), one of DOJ’s most visible and public facing units, as its next Director. The CPU Director leads a talented team of attorneys, investigators, paralegals, and staff who protect Delawareans from deceptive and unfair practices. The role involves investigating and litigating major cases (both local and national in scope), shaping enforcement priorities alongside the Attorney General, crafting legislative priorities, and innovating creative and strategic ways to make Delaware a safer place for consumers. The Consumer Protection Unit serves as a critical safeguard to protect Delawareans from unfair, deceptive, and illegal practices in the marketplace through enforcement, mediation, advocacy, education, registration, and outreach. CPU has enforcement authority over more than 40 different state and federal laws, with a focus on the Consumer Fraud Act and the Deceptive Trade Practices Act. CPU prosecutes civil and administrative cases and also conducts multistate investigations in coordination with other states’ attorney general offices. This is a significant leadership opportunity within the Department of Justice that offers an opportunity to work closely with DOJ senior leadership on major policy priorities for the Attorney General and help shape the consumer protection landscape in Delaware. The Director oversees CPU’s broad portfolio, enforcing more than three dozen civil consumer laws and regulations in a variety of subject matters, including consumer fraud, deceptive trade practices, antitrust, privacy, data security, charitable solicitations, manufactured housing, debt management, health spa, and telemarketing. CPU brings major enforcement actions in state and federal court against companies engaged in deceptive practices, as well as administrative prosecutions and enforcement of cease-and-desist orders issued by the Director. The Director is responsible for the performance, culture, and strategic direction of CPU. The Director must be an effective manager of people, an experienced legal professional, a credible public voice on consumer protection issues, and a strategic partner to the Attorney General and her leadership team on enforcement priorities, legislative matters, and intergovernmental coordination. As Director, you will report directly to the Division Director and serve as a strategic partner to the Attorney General and her leadership team. Deputy Attorneys General in CPU, including the Director, are responsible for all phases of litigation and other enforcement actions, including working with special investigators, drafting and filing pleadings, conducting discovery, negotiating settlements, and trying cases in all Delaware courts before juries, judges, and administrative hearing officers. CPU DAGs also provide consumer education to the public and work with other state and governmental agencies to address consumer protection issues.

Requirements

Exceptional attorney and leader.
Seasoned litigator with a passion for public service and the desire to take on the challenge of leading a dynamic, mission-driven team.
Very strong organizational skills.
Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
Solid understanding of all facets of complex civil litigation.
Significant management experience.
At least five years of complex civil litigation experience.
Strong writing and presentation skills.
At least basic familiarity with financial reporting and accounting.
Strong commitment to working in the public interest.
Delaware Bar admission or a willingness to sit for the next Delaware Bar exam required.

Responsibilities

Strategically leading, managing, and directing all functions of CPU, a statewide unit consisting of Deputy Attorneys General, paralegals, special investigators, a technologist, and administrative staff.
Overseeing CPU’s broad portfolio, enforcing more than three dozen civil consumer laws and regulations in a variety of subject matters, including consumer fraud, deceptive trade practices, antitrust, privacy, data security, charitable solicitations, manufactured housing, debt management, health spa, and telemarketing.
Bringing major enforcement actions in state and federal court against companies engaged in deceptive practices, as well as administrative prosecutions and enforcement of cease-and-desist orders issued by the Director.
Being responsible for the performance, culture, and strategic direction of CPU.
Serving as an effective manager of people, an experienced legal professional, a credible public voice on consumer protection issues, and a strategic partner to the Attorney General and her leadership team on enforcement priorities, legislative matters, and intergovernmental coordination.
Reporting directly to the Division Director and serving as a strategic partner to the Attorney General and her leadership team.
Overseeing all local and national consumer protection enforcement through investigative and prosecution phases, while maintaining an active personal caseload.
Approving and directing major investigations; determining when to escalate to formal proceedings; authorizing and leading consumer protection litigation.
Ensuring that complaint patterns surfaced through mediation are appropriately escalated to enforcement review.
Coordinating with multistate enforcement coalitions, including NAAG task forces, and with federal partners.
Leading a statewide unit of Deputy Attorneys General, paralegals, special investigators, a technologist, and administrative staff.
Working closely with the Chief Special Investigator and Assistant Unit Head on legal, administrative, and HR matters.
Setting performance expectations, conducting evaluations, and driving accountability across the Unit.
Managing hiring, performance management, and employee relations in collaboration with Human Resources.
Overseeing the Consumer Protection Fund.
Building and sustaining a Unit culture that is professional, mission-driven, equitable, and responsive.
Serving as DOJ's primary liaison to the Delaware General Assembly on consumer protection legislation.
Advising the Attorney General on legislative priorities and providing testimony before legislative committees.
Ensuring that enforcement priorities align with the Attorney General’s consumer protection agenda and DOJ’s strategic priorities.
Alerting executive leadership to emerging issues and trends.
Drafting and reviewing press releases, public statements, and consumer publications.
Handling and assigning media inquiries, public speaking requests, and consumer education initiatives.
Performing related duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Being responsible for all phases of litigation and other enforcement actions, including working with special investigators, drafting and filing pleadings, conducting discovery, negotiating settlements, and trying cases in all Delaware courts before juries, judges, and administrative hearing officers.
Providing consumer education to the public and working with other state and governmental agencies to address consumer protection issues.