Partner, Covington

Wade Ackerman is a partner in Covington’s FDA Regulatory group and advises companies and trade associations on complex FDA issues that require coordinated legal, regulatory, and public policy strategies. Through his previous positions at the Senate HELP Committee and FDA’s Office of Chief Counsel, Wade has acquired unique insights into the evolving legal and regulatory landscape facing companies marketing FDA-regulated products. While at the Senate HELP Committee, Wade served as Senior FDA Counsel to Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) and, prior to that, Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA). Wade was involved in all major FDA legislative initiatives, oversight hearings, and other HELP Committee activities concerning the FDA, including the 21st Century Cures Act of 2016. Before taking his Senate role, Wade served for more than five years as Associate Chief Counsel within the FDA’s Office of Chief Counsel (OCC). At OCC, he was responsible for providing legal advice to FDA staff on a wide range of issues. He also helped implement the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act (FDASIA) of 2012 and the Drug Quality and Security Act (DQSA) of 2013—both significant reforms to the Agency’s authorities. Wade received his J.D. from Harvard Law School in 2004, and his B.S. from the University of Illinois in 2001.