Polsinelli Shughart PC is dispelling the notion that a successful Food and Drug Administration (FDA) practice must be based in Washington, D.C. The firm is building its national FDA Regulatory practice beyond the beltway, with the addition of FDA Associate Chief Counsel Jason W. Sapsin.
Sapsin joined the Life Sciences Group at Polsinelli Shughart to further develop and expand the firm’s FDA Regulatory practice not only in the nation’s capital but other strategic locations including Chicago, Denver, Kansas City, Phoenix and St. Louis.
Sapsin brings more than 15 years of legal, public health and scientific experience. He will be able to advise clients on current and pending FDA regulations, FDA product review and enforcement matters, health reform law and its impact for the food and drug industry and public health issues. These challenging and ever-changing issues for businesses, institutes and entrepreneurs are key to the FDA regulatory services that Polsinelli Shughart offers to clients through its national Life Sciences practice.
“Our Life Sciences practice takes a fully-integrated, multi-disciplinary approach,” said Kevin Sweeney, chair of the Life Sciences national practice group. “Adding Jason further expands the spectrum of sophisticated services the firm offers to our life sciences clients. We’re thrilled to be on the cutting edge by adding counsel with a deep understanding of the FDA and regulatory matters. It’s right on track with our plan to continue to expand the platform for serving the full range of our clients’ needs.”
During his time at the FDA, Sapsin prosecuted and advised the agency on its enforcement activities in all product areas including drugs, food and dietary supplements, and worked on several major rulemakings and guidance documents. He also supported the FDA’s expanded initiatives for greater federal/state cooperation in compliance and enforcement.
“I’m very excited to be joining the talented team of attorneys at Polsinelli Shughart, “said Sapsin, who will be based in the firm’s Denver office but working with clients nationwide. “With the rapid changes occurring in the FDA regulatory landscape, this is an opportune time for me to offer my industry knowledge to Polsinelli Shughart’s clients.”
Prior to working at the FDA, Sapsin served as assistant attorney general for the Maryland Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, where he provided legal counsel for the agency’s annual $400 million in contracts and grants, and represented the state in Medicaid reimbursement
and other administrative litigation.
Sapsin also worked as an assistant scientist and faculty member at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health in Baltimore, Md., working closely with state health departments nationwide and the Centers for Disease Control. He helped draft the proposed Model State Emergency Health Powers Act (MSEHPA) to aid state legislatures in revising their public health laws to better
control epidemics and respond to bioterrorism. His private and corporate practice experience includes working at firms in Iowa and Washington, D.C.
Sapsin earned his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School and holds a Master of Public Health from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Williams College in Williamstown, Mass.
The national practice of Life Sciences includes more than 40 attorneys, and other professionals, in Denver, Phoenix, Kansas City, St. Louis, Chicago and Washington D.C. With a Public Policy - National practice in Washington, D.C., the firm is able to keep a close eye on regulations and reforms unfolding that may impact clients.
Sapsin is an excellent source for reporters working on stories about:
• Current and pending FDA regulations, including adding nutritional labels to restaurant menus
• Public health regulations and legal compliance issues related to imported food products and devices, food safety, clinical trials, and health claims, among others
• Healthcare reform law (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) and implications for the food and drug industry
• Public health issues and legal strategies related to bioterrorism and emergency preparedness
For information contact Public Relations Manager, Heather McMichael, 816-395-0618,
About Polsinelli Shughart PC
With more than 500 attorneys, Polsinelli Shughart PC (www.polsinelli.com) is a national law firm that is a recognized leader in the areas of business litigation, financial services, real estate, business law, construction, life sciences, environmental and natural resources, health care, insurance coverage/bad faith, and labor and employment. Serving corporate, institutional and individual clients regionally, nationally and worldwide, Polsinelli Shughart is known for successfully applying forward-thinking strategies for both straightforward and complex legal matters. The firm has 16 offices located in Kansas City, St. Louis, Phoenix, Chicago, Denver, Washington, New York, Wilmington, Overland Park, St. Joseph, Springfield, Jefferson City, Topeka and Edwardsville.