Overview
Anthony Anscombe is the chair of Steptoe's Consumer Litigation group. As group leader, he supports his colleagues at all levels of experience to find success practicing law the way they want to practice. He fosters an environment of collegiality, professional growth, and common endeavour.
Anthony's diverse practice centers on the intersection between civil litigation and the pervasive regulatory schemes that govern the food and beverage, life science, cosmetic, and retail industries. He devotes most of his time to the defense of class actions involving allegations of consumer fraud, deceptive trade practices, breach of warranty, and violations of consumer protection statutes.
For his food and beverage, life science, personal care, and retail clients, Anthony provides counsel on advertising compliance, risk management, and a wide range of commercial practices. He also has broad experience in mass tort, product liability, and toxic tort litigation.
Anthony's approach to client service is informed by over 35 years of experience, but is equally driven by his belief that each new assignment requires a fresh assessment and provides an opportunity for a creative solution. Anthony particularly enjoys presenting novel and complex legal, scientific, and procedural arguments. He speaks and writes frequently on issues relating to litigation reform and believes the law will not change unless practitioners try to change it.
- California
- Illinois
- Supreme Court of the United States
- US District Court, Eastern District of Arkansas
- US District Court, Central District of California
- US District Court, Eastern District of California
- US District Court, Northern District of California
- US District Court, Southern District of California
- US District Court, Central District of Illinois
- US District Court, Northern District of Illinois
- US District Court, Southern District of Illinois
- US District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
- US District Court, Western District of Michigan
- US District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
- US Court of Appeals, First Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- J.D., University of Virginia School of Law, 1988, Notes Editor, Virginia Journal of Natural Resources Law
- B.A., Yale University, 1983, cum laude
Areas of Work
Speaking Engagements
- "Consumer Products and Chemicals with Scary Names: Know the Legal Risks and How to Manage Them," Steptoe Consumer Litigation Group Webinar Series, November 6, 2024
- "Navigating Current Litigation Impacting the Cosmetics and Personal Care Industries," ACI's Annual Legal, Regulatory, And Compliance Forum, September 25-26, 2024
- "What do the Consumers Think? Planning and Presenting the Right Survey for your Case," Food and Beverage Exchange, November 10, 2021
- "Risk Management in Action - Evolving your Compliance Program to Meet E-Commerce Challenges," Food and Beverage Exchange, November 9, 2021
- "Consumer Surveys and Economic Analysis in Support of Litigation: How Much Weight Do They Carry in Court?," FDLI's Food Advertising, Labeling, and Litigation Conference, September 28, 2021
- "Advertising: The Federal Trade Commission and Private Rights of Action," FDLI's Introduction to Food Law and Regulation, March 25, 2020
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"The Impact of Recent Court Decisions: Deference, Precedent, Preemption, and the Impact on Marketing of Foods and Dietary Supplements," FDLI's Food Advertising, Labeling, and Litigation Conference, September 26, 2019
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"Class Action of FDA-Regulated Products: Recent Updates and Future Forecasts," Food and Drug Law Institute Webinar, August 21, 2019
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"Class Actions: The Next Phase," FDLI's Food Enforcement and Compliance Conference, March 21, 2019
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"FTC Update and Implications for Private Litigation," Food and Beverage Exchange, October 17, 2018
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"Case Updates and Hot Topics," Food and Drug Law Institute's Food Advertising, Labeling, and Litigation Conference, September 26, 2018
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"Examining the Impact of the FDA's Pronouncements and Rule-Making Processes on Class Action Litigation," American Conference Institute's Food Law Conference, April 23, 2018
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"Labeling Requirements for 'Made in USA'," Lorman Education Services, March 8, 2018
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"Trademarks, Product Claims and FDA Regulation," Food and Drug Law Institute's Food Advertising, Labeling and Litigation Conference, Washington, DC, September 13, 2017
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"Class Action and Prop 65: Anticipating the Next Wave of Litigation in Order to Mitigate Risk," American Conference Institute's Advanced Food Law and Regulation Forum, Chicago, IL, May 23, 2017
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"Food and Dietary Supplement Class Actions in a Time of Less Regulation," Food and Drug Law Institute's Annual Conference, Washington, DC, May 4, 2017
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"Shaping Agency Priorities - Response to Emerging Forces," Food and Drug Law Journal Symposium, Law and Food Systems, Georgetown University Law School, May 4, 2017
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"Shop Around: Pricing Class Action Trends," Retail Industry Leaders Association, Retail Law Conference, October 26, 2016
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"Advertising and Labeling Trends," Food and Drug Law Institute's Food Advertising and Litigation Conference, September 14, 2016
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"The Use of Survey Evidence in Class Litigation - Design and Admissibility," State Bar of California Antitrust, UCL and Privacy Section, May 24, 2016
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"The First Amendment and Marketing - What Amarin, Bayer and POM Wonderful Will Really Mean for the Promotion of Food and Beverage Products, May 12, 2016
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"Master Class on Upgrading your Advertising Compliance Program: What Risk Management Lessons Can be Gleaned from Those in the Class Action Trenches," American Conference Institute's 6th Advanced Regulatory and Compliance Summit on Food & Beverage Marketing and Advertising, May 10, 2016
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"The New Battleground for Class Certification: Plaintiff and Defense Burdens; Commonality Requirements; and What the Future Holds," American Conference Institute's Cross Industry Interdisciplinary Summit on Defending and Managing Class Actions, April 11, 2016
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"Labeling and Consumer Fraud Litigation," Food Litigation ExecuSummit, February 2, 2016
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"Attacking Plaintiffs' Damages Model - Understanding Damage Theories Used in Consumer Fraud Class Actions," American Conference Institute's 4th Advanced Summit on Defending Food and Beverage Consumer Fraud Litigation, January 26, 2016
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"Resolving a Case: Damages Models, Comcast Implications," Food and Drug Law Institute's Food Advertising and Litigation Conference, September 24, 2015
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"Recalls: How They Are Impacting Class Actions, Duty to Warn, and Recall-Based Rule 23 Arguments," American Conference Institute's 8th Annual Summit on Defending & Managing Automotive Product Liability Litigation, June 3, 2015
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"'All Natural,' Ingredient Labeling, and Health Claims, Oh My: Recent Developments in the Smorgasbord of Food Labeling Class Actions," ABA Section of Litigation Environmental, Mass Torts, and Products Liability Litigation Committees, January 30, 2015
News & Publications
Client Alerts
Landmark Cosmetic Law Adopted that Significantly Changes how Cosmetics Are Regulated by FDA
January 5, 2023
By: Surya Kundu, Joseph Dages, Joan Baughan, Anthony J. Anscombe
Media Mentions
Steptoe Helps Client CVS Fend Off Class Status in Hand Sanitizer Lawsuit
Bloomberg Law
May 10, 2022
Client Alerts
FDA Announces Potential Risk-Based Enforcement Policy for CBD Products, Reopens Public Docket
March 9, 2020
Media Mentions
Natural Products Insider Quotes Anthony Anscombe on CBD Class Action Lawsuits
March 3, 2020
Client Alerts
New Twist in ADA Claims: 60+ Class Actions Filed Over Gift Cards Without Braille
October 30, 2019
Events
Webinars
Consumer Products and Chemicals with Scary Names: Know the Legal Risks and How to Manage Them
November 6, 2024
Speakers: Anthony J. Anscombe, Joseph Dages, Jessica Cooper, Ph.D.
Noteworthy
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Thomson Reuters, Stand-Out Lawyer (2024, 2025)
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Legal 500 US, Dispute Resolution: Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Actions: Toxic Tort - Defense (2019)
Professional Affiliations
- Food and Drug Law Institute
- Chicago Section of the Institute of Food Technologists
- Past president of the Board of Directors, Chicago Center for Conflict Resolution (CCR), a leading nonprofit resource for mediation services and conflict management training