Jeff Jacobson Comments on Price Gouging Laws in Pennsylvania and New Jersey

The Philadelphia Inquirer turned to litigation partner Jeff Jacobson for insight in a story that highlighted the increase of price-gouging complaints by consumers in Pennsylvania and New Jersey during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jacobson, a former director of the New Jersey Division of Law, told the publication that Pennsylvania’s and New Jersey’s price gouging laws were designed for regional short-term emergencies such as hurricanes, not a global pandemic that disrupts the national supply chain for a longer time. He added that he is anticipating lawsuits, and as such, is calling for regulatory guidance from states.

“The problem is it’s not just attorney general investigations,” he said. “You’ve got plaintiffs’ lawyers who have all the time in the world.”