Ashley is a partner and practice group leader of the Governmental Law practice group and a member of the firm’s Executive Committee and Partner Compensation Committee.  He devotes his practice to: (i) defending companies in investigations initiated by state Attorneys General and other governmental agencies and (ii) representing companies in business related litigation and administrative law matters.  Ashley also serves as a Commissioner on the United States Commission on Civil Rights, appointed by President Bush. 

Ashley's current experience involves the defense of a mortgage corporation against approximately thirty-five separate state enforcement actions and investigations alleging origination and servicing violations.

Representative Experience

Multi-state State Attorneys General Investigations
Representation of data broker regarding 44-state investigation into data breach.

Representation of a leading pharmacy benefit manager in a 33-state investigation involving “undisclosed” rebates.

Representation of national trade association in connection with NAAG "model" legislation.

Representation of national pharmaceutical company in multi-state investigation involving off-label marketing.

Litigation
Counsel in class action involving the Fair Credit Reporting Act (Stephen M. Beverly v. ChoicePoint Inc., Civil Action No. 3:07-541).

Counsel to distributor in RICO action (R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company v. Market Basket Food Stores, Inc., Civil Action No. 05-253).

Counsel to national ministry in defense of action alleging various Constitutional challenges (Americans United for Separation of Church and State, et al., Appellees v. Prison Fellowship Ministries, Inc., et al., 509 F.3d 406 (8th Cir. 2007); 2007 U.S. App. LEXIS 27928).

Counsel to real estate developer in land acquisition dispute (Ventures Development, LLC and Lakeside Commons, LLC v. B.D. Ashe, Case No. 025CL06000137-00).

Publications and Speaking Engagements

Upcoming
"Federalism's Continuing Evolution - The Relationship Between the Federal and State Enforcement Actions as it Pertains to the FTC and State Attorneys General", American Bar Association State and Local Government Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA, August 2010

Previous
"Emerging State Enforcement Activities and Investigations and the Growing Authority of the State Attorneys General", American Conference Institute's National Advanced Forum on Litigation and Enforcement Preparedness for Data Privacy & Information Security, Dallas, TX, June 2010

"Working With AGs to Maneuver Your Way Through the Investigation Process", American Conference Institute's 9th Annual Conference on Consumer Finance Class Actions & Litigation, January 2010

"State Attorneys General: Responding to Multi-State Regulatory Compliance Investigations", American Bar Association Panel Seminar, July 2009

"Troutman Sanders' Ashley Taylor on the Rise of the State Attorneys General", Corporate Crime Reporter, July 2009

"From Cradle to Grave: Regulatory Investigations Which Beget Complex Business Litigation," Washington Metropolitan (WMACCA) Chapter of Association of Corporate Counsel, May 2009

"Multi-State Investigations and Suits: How to Address the Expanding Authority and Ambition of State Attorneys General," Washington Legal Foundation’s Web Seminar Series, March 2009

"State Attorneys Investigation," American Legislative Exchange Council, November 2008

"State Attorneys General: The Robust Use of Previously Ignored States Powers," Co-Author, The Urban Lawyer, The National Journal on State and Local Government Law, Summer 2008

"ChoicePoint Official: Experienced Counsel Key for Multi-State AG Probes," The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc., July 2007

"Cases Involving Government Agencies Present Unique Discovery Issues," Co-Author, Atlantic Coast In-House Counsel, July 2005

"Effectively Responding When the State Attorneys General Are Arrayed Against Your Company," Atlantic Coast In-House, March 2004

Firm Management Responsibilities
Member, Executive Committee
Member, Partner Compensation Committee

Honors and Other Distinctions
Recognized as a Virginia Super Lawyer in Civil Litigation Defense (2006-2009) and Super Lawyers Corporate Counsel Edition for Civil Litigation Defense (September/October 2009).

Named to Virginia Business magazine's Legal Elite in Legislative and Regulatory Law (2004), Civil Litigation (2005, 2007, 2009), and Young Lawyer (2006, 2008).

Recognized as one of "The 50 Most Influential Minority Lawyers in America" by the National Law Journal (2008).

Named as Style Weekly's 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).