Michael Yaghi is a partner in the firm’s State Attorneys General practice, a nationwide team that advises clients on consumer protection enforcement matters and other regulatory issues. He is also a partner in the firm’s Advertising and Media group. Based in the firm’s Orange County office, Michael represents high-profile clients in regulatory enforcement investigations. Having begun his career as a commercial litigator, he also supports clients throughout litigation, should an investigation move in that direction.
Mike works with companies facing regulatory enforcement cases brought by State Attorneys General, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. These enforcement actions typically involve federal and state regulators inquiring about a client’s advertising campaigns, promotional materials, marketing and sales practices, marketing through emerging media including social networks and blogs, telemarketing campaigns, email marketing, and other regulatory issues affecting consumer marketing and sales. Throughout an investigation, Mike keeps clients informed of likely developments and outcomes, assists with developing appropriate strategies, and approaches all cases with the goal of steering pending investigations toward a favorable resolution.
Representative Matters
- Successfully helped several clients settle 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. These jurisdictions alleged that consumers were misled into signing up and paying for various services.
- Assisted an American broadcasting company in an inquiry by 47 states relating to the company’s advertising, auto-renewal subscriptions, and similar customer service issues.
- Assisted many clients with resolving single-state consumer regulatory inquiries.
- Assisted a for-profit university with resolving an investigation brought by the CFPB.
- Assisted clients with resolving investigations brought by the FTC inquiring about advertising campaigns and sales disclosures to consumers.
- Helped banks respond to FTC Civil Investigative Demands targeting bank customers.
Affiliations
Admitted to practice: California; U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Central Districts of California
Speeches & Presentations
Publications
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"INSIGHT: AGs Turn Focus To Consumer Credit, Mortgages, Stimulus Checks," Bloomberg Law
(May 27, 2020).
Authors: Michael Yaghi, and Clayton S. Friedman.
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"INSIGHT: State AGs Use Broad Powers To Fight Coronavirus Fraud," Bloomberg Law
(April 9, 2020).
Author: Michael Yaghi.
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"The 411 on Mobile Marketing," Orange County Business Journal
(July 30, 2012).
Co-Author: Michael Yaghi.
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"Retailers Beware - Why Regulators and Class Counsel May Be Salivating," ABTL Report, Vol. XXXIII, No. 1
(Summer 2011).
Author: Michael Yaghi.
Client Alerts & Newsletters
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"Pricing in an Anti-Price Gouging World,"
Advertising & State AG Alert
(May 27, 2020).
Contacts: Clayton S. Friedman, Natalie O. Ludaway, Holly A. Melton, Michael Yaghi, Suzanne Trivette
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"Consumers Hold Businesses Accountable During the COVID-19 Crisis,"
Advertising & State AG Alert
(May 27, 2020).
Contacts: Clayton S. Friedman, Natalie O. Ludaway, Michael Yaghi, Suzanne Trivette
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"Attorneys General Turn their Focus to Consumer Credit and Mortgages,"
Advertising & State AG Alert
(May 4, 2020).
Contacts: Clayton S. Friedman, Natalie O. Ludaway, Michael Yaghi, Joselle Albracht, Suzanne Trivette
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"Will State Attorneys General Pursue Enforcement Demanding COVID-19 Refunds for Consumers?,"
Advertising & State AG Alert
(April 28, 2020).
Contacts: Clayton S. Friedman, Michael Yaghi, Natalie O. Ludaway, Joselle Albracht, Suzanne Trivette
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"Attorneys General Press the Federal Government to Protect Consumers' Relief Checks Under the CARES Act ,"
Advertising & State AG Alert
(April 20, 2020).
Contacts: Clayton S. Friedman, Natalie O. Ludaway, Michael Yaghi, Suzanne Trivette
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"State UDAP Laws are a Treasure Trove of Civil Penalties for Price Gouging,"
Advertising & State AG Alert
(April 15, 2020).
Contacts: Clayton S. Friedman, Natalie O. Ludaway, Joselle Albracht, Michael Yaghi, Suzanne Trivette
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"Force Majeure and Reference Pricing are Concepts Businesses Need to Think About During the COVID-19 Crisis,"
Advertising & State AG Alert
(April 13, 2020).
Contacts: Clayton S. Friedman, Michael Yaghi, Suzanne Trivette
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"Does Recent Guidance from State Attorneys General on Consumer Losses Signal Future Enforcement Actions?,"
Advertising & State AG Alert
(March 31, 2020).
Contacts: Clayton S. Friedman, Michael Yaghi, Suzanne Trivette
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"State Attorneys General Update: COVID-19 Crisis,"
Advertising & State AG Alert
(March 27, 2020).
Contacts: Clayton S. Friedman, Natalie O. Ludaway, Michael Yaghi
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"FTC Guidelines: Possible Civil Penalties to Deter Deceptive Influencer Marketing,"
Advertising & State AG Alert
(March 2, 2020).
Contacts: Michael Yaghi, Suzanne Trivette
Media Mentions
Firm News & Announcements