Jerry Kilgore

Practice Areas

Jerry advises clients — including market disrupters, companies in transition, industry leaders, and trade associations — in connection with important government investigations and consumer protection matters, and the interplay with Attorneys General and public policy. He is also a seasoned litigator and has significant experience handling multi-state actions. In recent years, Jerry has focused his practice on businesses in higher education (including for-profit colleges and universities), healthcare, cannabis, energy, timeshares, and the hospitality industry. Jerry also has significant experience in the FinTech arena, particularly with respect to products and platforms directed toward consumers, such as payment and loan technologies.

Career

As attorney general of Virginia from 2002-2005, Jerry served on the executive committee of the National Association of Attorneys General and as chairman of the Republican Attorneys General Association. He worked with the federal government, the state legislature, and other stakeholders to promote a business friendly environment. Jerry served as secretary of public safety under Governor George Allen from 1994 to 1998 and as assistant U.S. attorney for the Western District of Virginia from 1987-1992. He also has significant prior experience as a state-level lobbyist.

Professional Memberships

Jerry donates time to building legislative and executive support for America’s Kids Belong/Virginia Kids Belong, a program to encourage the adoption of children out of foster care. He also serves as chairman of the board of Appalachian School of Law.

Experience

Secured a favorable ruling for a trade association in its appeal before the National Advertising Review Board.

Advised medical cannabis start-up Dharma Pharmaceuticals in connection with its successful application to the Virginia Board of Pharmacy for a vertically integrated cultivating, processing, and dispensing facility permit. Fifty-one companies competed for only five available medical cannabis licenses, and Dharma Pharmaceuticals was selected over a number of larger companies. The Cozen O'Connor team continues to represent Dharma Pharmaceuticals on issues pertaining to its license and before the Virginia General Assembly and Administration on legislative issues regarding medical cannabis in Virginia.

Represented Career Education Corporation (“CEC”) in negotiations with 48 states and the District of Columbia in a 5-year investigation into the business practices of for-profit college operators, resulting in a settlement under which CEC was excluded from liability and any finding of wrong-doing. The investigation was part of an industry-wide effort by State AGs to police the for-profit educator sector and close schools found to be deploying unfair or fraudulent business practices.

Advised medical cannabis start-up Dharma Pharmaceuticals in connection with the licensing and manufacturing phases of its business, helping the company navigate Virginia’s complex legislative and regulatory processes.

Advised an emerging financial services client in connection with its dealings with State AG offices, and represented the client in licensing and consumer protection matters.

Guiding the American Resort Development Association, American Beverage Association, American Hotel & Lodging Association, and other major trade associations in Washington, DC through various federal and state legislative and regulatory processes.

Providing strategic and related advice to hospital systems, including Ballad Health and Chesapeake Regional Healthcare in Virginia, to facilitate their interactions with policymakers and legislators.

Expert in these Jurisdictions

Jerry is admitted to practice in Virginia and the District of Columbia.

Education

Awards