Ryan Michael Fournier and Bob Hibbert Join Wiley, Further Bolstering FDA Regulatory Practice

October 1, 2020

Washington, DC – Wiley today announced that the firm has further expanded its food and drug regulatory practice with the addition of prominent lawyers Ryan Michael Fournier and Bob Hibbert, who joined as partner and senior counsel respectively. Their arrival follows on the heels of U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulatory lawyers Ann M. Begley and Gary Yingling, who joined in July. These four outstanding lawyers bring to the firm significant experience in policy, regulatory, and enforcement matters involving the FDA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), with Ms. Begley serving as chair of the practice.

Mr. Fournier will counsel clients on legal and compliance issues involving human and animal foods, medical devices – including those related to various digital health platforms and technology – the alcohol industry, and other products regulated by the FDA, the USDA, and the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. Mr. Hibbert advises clients in the food and agricultural industries on federal regulation, particularly relating to the USDA, as well as the FDA.

“Ryan and Bob are a highly regarded lawyers whose practices focus on a broad range of legal issues impacting the food, medical device, and agriculture industries,” said Peter D. Shields, Wiley’s Managing Partner. “They add to the strength of our expanding FDA regulatory team and will be instrumental in helping our clients thrive in a complex regulatory environment during a transformative time for life sciences.”

“Bob and I are pleased to rejoin our colleagues Ann and Gary, with whom we have worked closely over the years and developed a great collaborative relationship,” Mr. Fournier said. “I’m very impressed with Wiley’s outstanding advocacy for their clients and their deep experience in regulatory compliance, product development and market pathway strategies, and promotion and advertising compliance and enforcement.”

“We were attracted to Wiley’s strength in product regulation across the board and are excited to be a part of the firm’s fast-growing FDA regulatory practice,” said Mr. Hibbert.

“I am thrilled that Ryan and Bob are here,” said Ms. Begley. “They add substantial depth to our regulatory practice. Ryan’s extensive knowledge of medical devices and emerging technologies – along with Bob’s track record in USDA-related matters involving food safety compliance and new product development issues – will allow the firm to offer a broad range of services to clients.”

Mr. Fournier represents clients facing government inquiries and enforcement actions, food safety compliance challenges, and advertising and labeling issues, and he helps all actors in the supply chain, including manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. Mr. Fournier stays up to date with emerging technologies, including the online meal delivery and grocery services, which have seen increased demand during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Fournier has been active with the Food and Drug Law Institute (FDLI) and routinely presents at conferences on regulatory issues.

Mr. Fournier has an LL.M. from Georgetown University Law Center and a J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law.

Mr. Hibbert advises clients on labeling, advertising, recalls, food safety compliance, animal health, and new product development issues. His experience with civil litigation in federal court includes successful challenges to the scope of USDA jurisdiction and authority over major segments of the food processing industry. He represents growers and marketers of new transgenic crops, along with other companies, on labeling and advertising matters before the federal regulatory agencies on food product recalls, labeling and advertising matters, and the marketing of new technologies designed to enhance food safety and security. Recognized by Food Safety News and other authorities as an industry leader, he is quoted and interviewed in food and agriculture trade publications and speaks about trends at industry events. Mr. Hibbert has a J.D. from the American University Washington College of Law.

Wiley’s Food & Drug Practice handles complex legal and regulatory challenges, and the more routine but crucial regulatory tasks required of FDA-regulated companies in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, clinical research, food and dietary supplement, medical device, animal, and cosmetic industries. The Practice includes lawyers who have worked at the FDA and as in-house counsel at large consumer product companies – and who have received independent recognition from numerous organizations as leaders in food and drug law.