Akin Gump is pleased to announce that Matthew E. Wetzel has joined the firm as a senior counsel in its nationally recognized health care and life sciences practice. Mr. Wetzel comes to Akin Gump from the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed), where he served as vice president and deputy general counsel.
Mr. Wetzel brings to Akin Gump significant experience in federal policies and regulations affecting the medical technology and device industries.
At AdvaMed, Mr. Wetzel led the association’s advocacy on issues such as health care fraud and abuse, antibribery/anticorruption and physician-industry transparency. His work included developing, and advocating for, complex policy positions on legislative and regulatory matters confronting the medical device industry. Most recently, Mr. Wetzel led the medical device industry’s efforts to revise its longstanding AdvaMed Code of Ethics in the United States.
Mr. Wetzel was previously senior counsel at Boston Scientific Corporation, where he served as primary advisor on health care fraud and abuse, antibribery and anticorruption laws, physician-industry transparency and global compliance program operations.
“Matt will be a valuable addition to our team,” said John R. Jacob, head of Akin Gump’s health care and life sciences practice. “His insights into complex medical technology issues and device regulation will be a tremendous resource to our clients, and I am thrilled that he has joined us.”
Added Nate Brown, a partner in the firm who focuses on FDA law, “Matt’s experience continues the buildout of the growing range of services we can provide to clients in the medtech industry. Clients will benefit immensely from the knowledge and perspective he brings to our work in this dynamic space.”
Mr. Wetzel began his legal career in private practice at two international law firms in Washington, D.C. He joins a health care team at Akin Gump that is ranked among the top such practices in the U.S. by Chambers & Partners and that has been selected five times as a Law360 “Practice Group of the Year.”
“I am excited to bring the experience I have gained throughout nearly 15 years in the health care field to Akin Gump’s industry-leading team,” commented Mr. Wetzel. “The firm is well known for its sophisticated work for clients in the medical technology space. This represents a fantastic opportunity to continue supporting life sciences and health care companies as they address significant changes and challenges in the legal and regulatory environment.”
Mr. Wetzel received his J.D., cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center and his B.A., magna cum laude, from Georgetown University.
Source: www.akingump.com
