Caroline Schmitz is a seasoned advertising and consumer protection attorney with deep government and private-sector experience. She guides clients through complex regulatory landscapes, advising on every stage of the product life cycle—from claim substantiation and label review to product safety and compliance with FTC, FDA, CPSC, and other federal and state standards. She also regularly represents companies in responding to FTC inquiries and investigations and advocates on their behalf at the National Advertising Division.
Prior to joining the firm, Caroline practiced at a leading law firm where she served as a seconded attorney to product teams at two Fortune 500 companies. In that role, she provided practical, business-focused counsel on advertising, marketing, and product compliance. Her work also extended to advising on privacy frameworks, data breach response, and children's privacy laws.
Caroline's foundation in consumer protection was shaped by her tenure at the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, where she focused on enforcement and policy initiatives on privacy, data security, and identity theft. Her combination of regulatory insight and in-house savvy makes her a trusted advisor for clients navigating high-stakes compliance and risk management challenges.
Admitted to Practice
- District of Columbia, 2023
- Minnesota, 2019
Education
- J.D., University of Minnesota Law School, 2019, cum laude
- Justice John Paul Stevens Fellowship, 2018
- National Moot Court Competition Team
- Student Director and Attorney, Consumer Protection Clinic, 2017-2019
- B.A., Communications, Colorado State University, 2015
Background
- Associate, Kelley Drye, Washington, D.C., 2021-2025
- Attorney, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, D.C., 2019-2021