Ralph Simmons

Of Counsel @ Foster Garvey PC

About

Experienced attorney with an extensive background in both private practice and in the federal government. Mr. Simmons has represented many corporate and individual clients and the government in a wide variety of matters, including federal and state regulation of foods, drugs, cosmetics, and medical devices and other consumer products, litigation, and contracts, Specialties: Food, drug, cosmetic, and medical device and other consumer product legislation and regulation (FDA, FTC, USDA and state authorities); advice on labeling of and ingredients in foods, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, and other consumer products, including environmental claims; civil litigation trial counsel concerning consumer protection enforcement actions (e.g., California's Proposition 65) and other matters; commercial contracts

Country

United States

City

Reston

Industry

Legal Services

Skill

Biotechnology, Intellectual Property, Management, Legal Writing, Policy, Litigation, Lifesciences, Due Diligence, Public Speaking, Food Safety, Licensing, Technology Transfer, Product Development, Research, Mergers & Acquisitions, Legal Research, Nanotechnology, Regulatory Requirements, Food & Drug Law, FDA

Experience

Of Counsel

Foster Garvey PC

2022-4 - Present · 4 yrs 6 mos

Washington DC-Baltimore Area

Senior Regulatory Counsel - FDA/USDA/FTC and state regulation of foods, dietary supplements, cosmetics and drugs

Chairman and President

Ralph A. Simmons LLC

2016-12 - 2022-4 · 5 yrs 5 mos

1855 Saint Francis Street, #1508, Reston, VA 20190

Independent attorney/consultant advising corporate and individual clients on a variety of issues. The practice includes FDA and international regulation of the safety and environmental impact of food, drugs, and packaging. Other areas of representation include corporate formation and governance, all types of contracts, litigation (trial and case management). and personal legal assistance. Telephone is 703-909-9677 (office/mobile); E-mail is rasimmons73@verizon.net.

Senior Policy Advisor

FDA

2009-9 - 2016-12 · 7 yrs 4 mos

5100 Paint Branch Parkway, College Park, MD 20740

Senior Policy Analyst. Advisor to FDA management on relations with food and food packaging industries. Reviewed Food-Contact Substance Notifications and GRAS Notices. Received FDA Team Award for development regulations to reduce trans-fat in food. Developed innovative contracting procedure for FDA to obtain private-sector software for toxicological evaluations

Associate and Partner

Keller and Heckman LLP

1984-9 - 2006-12 · 22 yrs 4 mos

Washington, District of Columbia, United States

A principal managing partner in the FDA and related global regulatory practice with respect to food packaging and other food-contact materials and direct food additives. Extensive practice in state and federal trial and appellate civil litigation (including a 25 million dollar civil verdict). Formed and acted as General Counsel for industry trade associations. Elected annually to firm Management Committee for 20 years. Lead trial attorney in Suffolk County, NY case involving attempted state ban on plastic retail bags and polystyrene containers for carry-out food. Counsel for the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Packaging Committee of The Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI), now the Plastics Industry Association, General Counsel to the National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR),