John Ford, Former Senior Health Counsel of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Joins Sidley Austin LLP

Sidley Austin LLP announced today that John Ford, formerly a Senior Democratic Health Counsel of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, will join the firm as counsel in our public policy, food and drug and healthcare practices. Ford, the lead healthcare counsel to Chairman John Dingell (D-MI) for food, drug, device and public health matters, has been a principal staff member involved in the development of numerous healthcare laws over the past decade, including the recently enacted Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007.

While serving at the Energy and Commerce Committee, Ford was responsible for advising the Chairman, Members of Congress and staff on legislative, administrative and other matters pertaining to the Food and Drug Administration, the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Health Resources and Services Administration and other agencies of the Public Health Service of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Prior to his service with the Committee, Ford was the Director of Government Relations for a global food company where he handled a wide range of federal legislative and regulatory matters. He has also practiced law for more than nine years as an associate, counsel and partner.

“John’s experience as a staff member in Congress and his knowledge of FDA and healthcare laws will complement Sidley’s growing legislative, public policy and regulatory capabilities,” said Carter Phillips, managing partner of Sidley’s Washington, D.C. office. “We are pleased that John is joining Sidley.”

Ford joins a public policy practice that already possesses significant capabilities and services a wide variety of clients in the health and FDA sectors. With Ford’s addition, Sidley will now have two of the former top health counsels of the Energy and Commerce Committee — a Committee with broad jurisdictional responsibility over FDA and healthcare issues – and a former Chief Counsel to the FDA.

“Sidley’s public policy, FDA regulatory and healthcare practices are distinctive because of the depth and diversity of experience the lawyers have,” said Ford. “I am excited to build my practice alongside such highly respected colleagues and professionals.”

“John’s extensive knowledge of the new Congress along with his experience on matters critical to the pharmaceutical and medical device industry will significantly enhance our public policy practice,” added Patrick Morrisey, a partner at Sidley and former Deputy Staff Director and Chief Health Counsel for the House Energy and Commerce Committee. “John provides experience and insight that will improve our ability to provide strategic advice to healthcare entities throughout all stages of a product’s life cycle.”

Sidley Austin LLP is one of the world’s largest full-service law firms, with more than 1800 lawyers practicing in 16 U.S. and international cities, including Beijing, Brussels, Frankfurt, Geneva, Hong Kong, London, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo. Every year since 2003, Sidley has been named to Legal Business’ Global Elite, their designation for “the 15 finest law firms in the world.” BTI, a Boston-based consulting and research firm, has named Sidley to their Client Service Hall of Fame as one of only two law firms to rank in the Client Service Top 10 for seven years in a row.

For purposes of the New York State Bar rules, this press release may be considered Attorney Advertising and the headquarters of the firm are Sidley Austin LLP 787 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019, 212.839.5300 and Sidley Austin LLP One South Dearborn, Chicago, IL 60603, 312.853.7000. Prior results described herein do not guarantee a similar outcome.