Partner
BuckleySandler LLP

Douglas F. Gansler, former Attorney General of Maryland and President of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG), is a partner in the Washington, DC, office of BuckleySandler LLP. Drawing on more than 20 years of public advocacy and leadership, Mr. Gansler brings a unique perspective to client matters in financial services, health care, pharmaceutical, insurance, telecommunications, and other consumer-centric industries. His practice focuses on advising businesses and individuals on federal and state investigations and enforcement actions and litigation matters involving state Attorneys General, the Department of Justice (DOJ), and other state and federal enforcement and regulatory agencies, including individual and multi-state enforcement actions. He also handles complex litigation cases involving data breaches, cybersecurity, and privacy matters and provides regulatory compliance advice.

Prior to joining BuckleySandler, Mr. Gansler held numerous public positions, including:

  • Attorney General of Maryland (2006–2014)
  • President of NAAG (2012–2013)
  • Montgomery County State’s Attorney (1998–2006)
  • Assistant United States Attorney (1992–1998)

Throughout his career, Mr. Gansler has handled numerous civil and criminal cases involving public corruption, economic crimes, and other issues, most notably including:

  • Arguing and winning a unanimous decision before the U.S. Supreme Court in Maryland v. Shatzer
  • Acting as first chair in more than 50 jury trials
  • The prosecution of John Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo (“Beltway snipers”)
  • Arguing more than 50 cases in state and federal appellate courts

In the public sector, Mr. Gansler’s successful record of leadership includes:

  • Establishing the first state-wide Internet Privacy and Safety Unit
  • Implementing the first State’s Attorney’s office community-based prosecution program, which became a nationwide model for effective, fair crime-fighting programs
  • Establishing the first domestic violence dockets, the first Gang Unit, and the first Elder Abuse Unit

During his tenure as Attorney General of Maryland, Mr. Gansler was selected as one of 24 elected leaders from the country to serve as a Rodel Fellow with the Aspen Institute.

A life-long community volunteer, Mr. Gansler founded Charm City Youth Lacrosse, a lacrosse league for underserved Baltimore inner-city youth. He has mentored at-risk area youth, served on the Montgomery County Commission on Aging, and co-chaired the NAACP Criminal Justice Committee. For his work in establishing the Charm City Youth Lacrosse League, he received the “Innovator of the Year” award from theDaily Record, Maryland’s largest legal publication, in 2009. Mr. Gansler also serves as an adjunct professor at American University’s Washington College of Law in Washington, DC.

Mr. Gansler received his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law and his B.A. from Yale University (cum laude). At Yale, he was a four-year starter, All-Ivy, and first team All-New England lacrosse player.