DLA Piper adds Vernessa Pollard as co-chair of the Food and Drug Administration Practice

DLA Piper is pleased to welcome Vernessa Pollard as a partner and co-chair of the FDA Practice in Washington, DC.

Pollard represents life sciences, medical device and technology companies, helping them navigate FDA regulatory complexities to bring novel technologies and cutting-edge products to market. She advises clients – ranging from multinational companies to startups, and investors – in developing practical, scalable and innovative strategies for solving challenging regulatory and compliance problems, evaluating risk and achieving business objectives. Pollard provides strategic business and regulatory counsel on premarket strategy, including product development, post-market compliance and regulatory issues, from manufacturing and quality to advertising and promotion.

Pollard previously served as Associate Chief Counsel for Enforcement in the FDA’s Office of Chief Counsel, where she represented the FDA on a variety of regulatory, litigation and enforcement matters involving issues ranging from advertising, medical device and drug manufacturing to clinical trial compliance and product safety. She worked closely with compliance and regulatory personnel across the FDA, including the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiology Health (CDRH) to review and evaluate warning letters, compliance policies and regulatory actions.

“Vernessa is one of the leading FDA regulatory lawyers in the field, and we are thrilled that she will be coming in to help lead this critically important practice for us. I also know that our clients will benefit greatly from her deep experience and counsel as they continue to navigate an increasingly complex external regulatory environment,” said Loren Brown, US vice chairman and chair of the US Disputes Practice.

“Vernessa is well-known as one of the preeminent leaders on national regulatory issues related to life sciences and medical devices, and we look forward to supporting her as she takes on this key leadership role,” said William Minor, managing partner of the firm’s Washington, DC office.