On Wednesday, King & Spalding announced the addition of Lauren Roth as a partner in its Washington office. Roth, the former head of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA) policy office, joins the firm at a crucial time as pharmaceutical and medical device companies brace for significant health care policy shifts under Republican President-elect Donald Trump’s administration.
Roth’s Extensive FDA Experience
Roth brings a wealth of experience to King & Spalding, having served in several key roles at the FDA, including her most recent position as the agency’s associate commissioner for policy. Nikki Reeves, who co-leads the firm’s government matters and regulation practice, praised Roth’s deep understanding of FDA operations. “Lauren operated at the highest levels of FDA across multiple administrations, making her ideally situated to help our pharmaceutical and medical device clients navigate upcoming regulatory changes,” Reeves stated.
Strategic Government Hires Continue
This week, King & Spalding also welcomed two other high-profile hires from government positions. On Monday, the firm brought in Nema Milaninia, a former senior counsel to Google and senior adviser at the U.S. State Department, who focused on cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Milaninia now serves as a partner in the firm’s special matters and government investigations practice.
The following day, the firm added Ryan Majerus, a former U.S. Commerce Department official, who played a significant role in the Biden administration’s enforcement of antidumping and countervailing duty laws. Majerus now joins Roth as a partner in the government matters and regulation practice.
King & Spalding’s Expanding Roster of Former Officials
These recent hires underscore King & Spalding’s strategy of strengthening its team with experienced government officials. The firm already boasts several notable former U.S. government figures, including Rod Rosenstein, Donald Trump’s deputy U.S. attorney general, and Sally Yates, who served as deputy attorney general during the Obama administration. In September, King & Spalding welcomed back Robert Hur, the U.S. special counsel who investigated President Joe Biden’s handling of sensitive government materials.
With these strategic additions, King & Spalding positions itself to provide robust legal counsel to clients navigating the evolving regulatory landscape under the incoming administration.
