Profile

Harris represents clients in consumer protection litigation, government investigations, enforcement actions, and regulatory disputes, drawing on two decades of experience at the Federal Trade Commission and a prior decade representing commercial clients in complex litigation.

Harris brings knowledgeable, creative, and determined advocacy to each matter, while continually assessing the strengths, vulnerabilities, and practical implications of each party's legal and factual positions. He works closely with clients to identify key facts and business objectives, then develops strategies to manage litigation and enforcement risk, advocate effectively, and resolve disputes and regulatory inquiries through negotiation, litigation, or both.

Before joining Hudson Cook, Harris capped his 20-year career with the Federal Trade Commission by serving as Acting Regional Director and Acting Assistant Regional Director in the FTC's East Central Region. At the FTC, he supervised and litigated consumer protection investigations and enforcement actions involving deceptive and unfair business practices. He oversaw case strategy, investigative development, settlement negotiations, and coordination with federal, state, and international enforcement partners.

That experience gives Harris a practical understanding of how enforcement agencies evaluate potential claims, build investigations, assess settlement posture, and decide when to litigate.

Harris's FTC experience also extended beyond investigations and enforcement to significant policy, rulemaking, interagency, and public education work. In 2024, he joined a high-profile rulemaking proceeding, co-leading the final phase of development of the Commission's "Click to Cancel" negative option rule. Earlier in his FTC career, Harris served a two-year term as Chief of the Bureau of Consumer Protection's Criminal Liaison Unit, working closely with criminal law enforcers and FTC teams on parallel civil and criminal matters. Throughout his time at the FTC, he presented on consumer protection topics to a variety of audiences, including attorneys, bank employees, small business owners, and criminal law enforcers.

Prior to his government service, Harris was a partner in the litigation group of a global law firm, representing national and international clients in complex commercial litigation. He began his legal career as law clerk to the Honorable Walter H. Rice of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. Harris is a graduate of Columbia Law School and Rice University.