Akin Gump Adds Hill Veteran Michael Barnard, Former Top Health Advisor to Senator Menendez

Addition of Mr. Barnard builds on growth of firm’s health policy team, which has seen several noteworthy additions in recent months

(Washington, D.C.) Michael Barnard, an experienced health policy professional with nearly a decade of experience on Capitol Hill, has joined Akin Gump as a senior policy advisor in its public law and policy practice.

Mr. Barnard brings to the firm extensive policy and advocacy skills in the life sciences sector and deep Hill experience. This includes serving for six years as an aide to Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), during which time he served as the lead health and human services advisor to the senior member of the Senate Finance Committee.

Prior to his tenure with Sen. Menendez, Mr. Barnard served as an aide for health for Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and as an aide to Rep. Ed Pastor (D-AZ). He also previously served as Associate Director of Government Affairs with the National Hispanic Medical Association. Most recently, Mr. Barnard served as Director, Federal Affairs for Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc.

Mr. Barnard represents the latest notable hire to Akin Gump’s health policy team in recent months. In May, the firm welcomed Anna Abram, former Deputy Commissioner for Policy, Legislation, and International Affairs at the Food and Drug Administration, as a senior advisor. In February, the team welcomed Jose Borjon, an accomplished veteran Capitol Hill staffer with strong ties to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Dr. Mario Ramirez, a practicing physician and former White House Fellow and acting director of the Office of Pandemic and Emerging Threats at the Department of Health and Human Services, also joined the firm as a consultant. And in December 2020, the team welcomed Matthew Hittle, a Capitol Hill veteran and former senior advisor to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma.

Commenting on Mr. Barnard’s arrival, Brian Pomper, co-head of Akin Gump’s public law and policy practice, said, “We have brought on a number of strong additions to our bipartisan health policy practice in recent months, all of whom boast substantial government experience—and Michael is yet another outstanding addition. With his background in the private sector and in public service, coupled with his wide-ranging knowledge of the health policy environment in D.C., Michael will be a significant and immediate asset to our clients—particularly those in the life sciences space.”

Added Mr. Barnard, “Akin Gump is home to the premier public policy practice in Washington. As I looked to make this next move in my career, the firm’s bipartisan team and deep and growing bench in the health policy and regulatory spaces made the decision an easy one. I am thrilled to join the firm and look forward to putting my skills and background to work on behalf of the firm’s clients.”

Mr. Barnard received his M.A. in political science from American University, a B.S. in economics from the University of Oregon, and a B.A., with a concentration on political economics and Latin American studies, from The Evergreen State College.

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers and advisors in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

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