Milton A. Marquis

Member

Milton represents large companies in connection with matters involving, or having the potential to involve, State Attorneys General (AG) and other enforcement agencies across the United States. His first objective is to counsel companies on how to avoid attracting enforcement agency attention, particularly relating to consumer protection and antitrust issues. However, should an organization become the target of an investigation, he uses his many years on the front lines of enforcement to guide clients toward achieving the best possible outcome, while minimizing interruption to their business, cost, and reputational damage. Milton’s experience as an antitrust and consumer protection enforcer provides him with unique insights into the workings of enforcement agencies. This insider’s perspective, overlaid with almost two decades in private practice, offers tremendous benefits to Milton’s clients.

Milton has represented Fortune 50 companies in a range of industry sectors — including pharmaceuticals, hospitality, automotive, telecommunications, and technology — in connection with investigations and litigations involving state AGs nationwide, as well as the Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice. He also has an active antitrust and consumer protection counseling practice, advising companies on regulatory compliance issues, especially as related to potential mergers and acquisitions. Milton has advised companies through all stages of the Hart-Scott-Rodino premerger notification process. He has achieved considerable success working with lawyers from other firms, contributing his knowledge of AG issues and concerns on complex issues as part of a multi-faceted legal team.

Clients appreciate Milton’s ability to see the complete picture, and he strives to align a client’s current situation with its goals for the future. He works collaboratively with the client  to reach resolutions free from restrictions that would place the client at a competitive disadvantage, and that minimize any harm to the client’s reputation or business standing.

Milton was recognized in the Chambers And Partners 2024 USA Guide for his representation of corporations in state attorneys general investigations with a focus on consumer protection and antitrust. Clients interviewed as part of Chambers’ extensive research and analysis process commented: "Milton is very analytical and diligent, being responsive as well as a great writer. He really knows the antitrust area, particularly as it relates to the state AG world.” “He is very responsive and collaborative. He never hesitates to get to grips and take the lead.”

Milton served as senior counsel to the assistant attorney general for antitrust, U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), where he served as the Antitrust Division’s first liaison to state attorneys general.

Prior to his service at the DOJ, Milton served as an antitrust and consumer protection litigator in the offices of the attorneys general of Massachusetts and Virginia. During his tenure as a state antitrust prosecutor, Milton was a leading member of the Multistate Antitrust Task Force of the National Association of Attorneys General.

Milton is a member of Cozen O'Connor's board of directors. He currently serves on the Advisory Board of the American Antitrust Institute and is a long-time member of the National Bar Association. Milton also serves as a trustee of Case Western Reserve University.

Experience

News

Best Lawyers Honors More Than 200 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys in its Best Lawyers in America 2025 Edition

August 15, 2024

Best Lawyers selected 242 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 24 of the firm’s U.S. offices for inclusion in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America.

Nearly 100 Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 27 Practices Earn Top Recognition in Chambers USA 2024 Guide

June 10, 2024

Chambers USA rankings are based on an “assessment of a firm’s work and opinions from external market sources, with an emphasis on client feedback.” In order to be ranked in the guide, lawyers and firms must demonstrate “sustained excellence.”

Eleven Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Recognized as Washington, D.C., Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

April 22, 2024

Seven attorneys were recognized as Super Lawyers and four were named Rising Stars, a list that recognizes attorneys under the age of 40.

Best Lawyers Honors More Than 200 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys to its Best Lawyers in America 2024 Edition

August 17, 2023

Best Lawyers selected 232 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 24 of the firm’s U.S. offices for inclusion in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

Business Today Names 32 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys to Its Top 10 Lists

July 28, 2023

These lists recognize lawyers “mastering,” “leading,” “revolutionizing,” and “dominating” their fields in their respective states and nationwide.

Eighty-eight Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 23 Practices Earn Top Recognition in Chambers USA 2023 Guide

June 05, 2023

Of the 88 lawyers ranked, 17 lawyers have been recognized nationally, and eighteen were recognized in Band 1. Eight of the firm's practice areas have been recognized nationally, and nine were ranked Band 1.

More Than 200 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch

August 22, 2022

210 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 24 of the firm’s nationwide offices for inclusion in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

Chambers Ranks 86 Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 22 Practice Areas in Chambers USA 2022 Guide

June 02, 2022

Chambers USA, the leading annual guide to the top lawyers and law firms in the United States, has ranked 86 Cozen O’Connor lawyers as leaders in their respective fields in the guide’s 2022 edition.

More Than 205 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch By The Best Lawyers In America

August 19, 2021

Best Lawyers selected 210 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 23 of the firm’s nationwide offices for inclusion in the 2022 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

82 Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 19 Practices Earn Top Recognition in Chambers USA 2021 Guide

May 26, 2021

Chambers USA, the leading annual guide to the top lawyers and law firms in the United States, has ranked 82 Cozen O’Connor lawyers as leaders in their respective fields in the guide’s 2021 edition; of those, 15 lawyers have been recognized nationally.

200 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch By The Best Lawyers In America

August 20, 2020

Best Lawyers selected 200 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 23 of the firm’s nationwide offices for inclusion in the 2021 edition of The Best Lawyers in America© (Copyright 2020 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, SC).

Fourteen Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Recognized as Washington, D.C., Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

April 20, 2020

Super Lawyers has named 14 Cozen O'Connor attorneys to its 2020 Washington, D.C., Super Lawyers and Rising Stars list.

Publications

The Future Of State AG Antitrust Enforcement And Federal-State Cooperation

February 01, 2024

In CPI’s January Antitrust Chronicle Milton Marquis, Keturah Taylor and Meghan Stoppel review recent state AG antitrust enforcement actions and offer predictions for what’s to come.

Don’t ignore state antitrust risks, competition specialists say

May 03, 2023

Legal Dive listened to our podcast The Broad Sweep of State AGs’ Antitrust Authority and warns consumer goods companies of the risks of ignoring state AGs’ independent antitrust authority.

State AG Pulse | The Broad Sweep of State AGs’ Antitrust Authority

May 01, 2023

State AGs have a wide range of tools they can use to hold companies accountable. Milton Marquis, Jerry Kilgore and Ann-Marie Luciano explore AGs’ power to prevent anticompetitive business conduct ranging from no-poach agreements and illegal non-competes to collusion and price-fixing.

Attorneys general open to penalty negotiations if framed right

February 08, 2023

Legal Dive Lead Editor Robert Freedman listened to our podcast Money Money Money: Where does it go and why and teases out some of the key themes related to restitution, disgorgement and penalty negotiations in state AG settlements.

State AG Pulse | Money, Money, Money: Where does it go and why?

February 06, 2023

In this episode we draw back the curtain on attorney general settlements, including an AG’s statutory authority and motives, and the factors that determine the size and composition of a settlement, and provide insights to help businesses negotiate for the best possible outcome.

State AG Pulse | In Massachusetts, What Will Sway The Voters?

July 25, 2022

Bernie, Mira and Milton discuss whether the candidates’ backgrounds, or an endorsement by the outgoing AG, could be the deciding factor in the tight race for the Massachusetts AG’s office.

State AG Pulse | The Politician v. The Judge: Maryland’s Primary

June 20, 2022

The two leading contenders for Maryland AG come from very different backgrounds. In this week’s podcast, host Bernie and his State AG Group colleagues Milton Marquis and Chris Allen debate what this means for their election prospects and the future of the Maryland AG’s office.

Milton Marquis on the American Bar Association’s Our Curious Amalgam Podcast

May 09, 2022

On May 9th, State AG Group member Milton Marquis was featured on the American Bar Association’s Our Curious Amalgam podcast, talking about how states join together to conduct antitrust investigations and the differences between state and federal antitrust enforcement.

A Post-AMG Capital Update: Equitable Solutions For Litigating Parties That Have Past The Point Of No Return

March 25, 2022

In this Legal Opinion Letter published by Washington Legal Foundation, Bernie Nash, Milton Marquis, and Mira Baylson consider the FleetCor case and what it means for businesses post-AMG Capital.

Recent Trends and Insights in State Attorney General Antitrust Enforcement

August 31, 2021

Milton Marquis, Ann-Marie Luciano and Gianna Puccinelli analyze recent state AG antitrust enforcement trends, provide insight into targeted industries and consider future roles for state AGs.

FTC’s Alternative Path to Restitution—Collaborating With State AGs [Bloomberg Law]

May 05, 2021

Bernie Nash, Milton Marquis, and Mira Baylson authored an article predicting that the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling revoking the FTC’s ability to go straight to federal court to seek monetary relief for unfair or deceptive acts will strengthen the commission’s partnership with state attorneys general.

Industry Sectors

Education

  • Case Western Reserve University School of Law, J.D., 1984
  • University of Georgia, B.A., 1979

Awards & Honors

Chambers & Partners USA 2021-2024; Band 2 in Government Relations: State Attorneys General

Lawyers of Color Power List Honoree 2020

Best Lawyers in America 2019-2025

  • District of Columbia