Key facts
- Christopher L. Peterson, a former CFPB senior official, will serve as acting director of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs.
- Peterson's appointment is pending formal nomination by Gov. Mikie Sherrill and confirmation by the state Senate.
- He previously worked on enforcement policy at the CFPB and helped develop the Military Lending Act.
- Peterson was most recently a law professor at the University of Utah.
- The Division of Consumer Affairs is New Jersey's primary civil consumer protection agency.
Christopher L. Peterson, a former senior official at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), has been appointed as the acting director of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. The announcement was made by Attorney General Jennifer Davenport's office this week. Peterson is set to begin his role on August 3, pending a formal nomination by Governor Mikie Sherrill and confirmation by the state Senate.
This appointment signifies a broader trend of states taking a more active role in overseeing predatory lending and consumer finance practices, particularly as federal enforcement priorities evolve. In May, California Governor Gavin Newsom appointed former CFPB Director Rohit Chopra to lead a new state agency focused on business and consumer services.
During his tenure at the CFPB, Peterson served as a senior adviser, contributing to enforcement policy and strategy during the agency's early years. He was also instrumental in developing the federal Military Lending Act, which aims to protect service members and their families from exploitative lending. More recently, Peterson held the John J. Flynn Endowed Professorship of Law at the University of Utah’s S.J. Quinney College of Law.
The Division of Consumer Affairs is New Jersey's principal agency for civil consumer protection. It is responsible for enforcing the state's consumer fraud laws, regulating the securities industry, and overseeing 51 professional boards.
Governor Sherrill emphasized Peterson's extensive experience in advocating for consumers through public service, congressional work, and legal practice, linking his appointment to the need for affordability for New Jersey families. Attorney General Davenport praised Peterson's track record of holding wrongdoers accountable and pursuing economic justice for consumers and military families.
Peterson expressed his commitment to making life more affordable for New Jersey families by safeguarding them from scams and exploitation, while also ensuring the agency supports legitimate businesses and holds lawbreakers accountable. Jeremy E. Hollander, who has served as acting director since January 2026, will return to his position as deputy director of the division’s Office of Consumer Protection.