News

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1 Feb 2010

Carlton Wessel joins DLA Piper's Litigation practice in Washington, DC

Former In-House Counsel Brings High-Level Government Investigations Experience

Press Release

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DLA Piper announced today that Carlton Wessel has joined the firm's Litigation practice as a partner in the Washington, DC office. Wessel has extensive white-collar experience, particularly in the representation of pharmaceutical clients in government and internal investigations, as well as compliance work. Most notably, he has held in-house roles at two major pharmaceutical companies, serving as Assistant General Counsel and head of the Government Investigations Group at Pfizer Inc. and Senior Legal Director for Litigation at Schering-Plough Corp.

“Carl’s specific knowledge of the key legal and business issues facing today’s pharmaceutical companies will be a tremendous asset to our clients as they navigate a challenging regulatory environment,” said Robert J. Mathias, Joint Global Leader and US Chair of DLA Piper’s Litigation practice. “His experience in house at Pfizer and Schering-Plough give him a unique insider perspective that will be incredibly valuable for serving our clients in the pharmaceutical sector.”

“Carl has an impressive track record of investigatory and compliance work and a deep pool of contacts and client relationships in the pharmaceutical industry,” said Rusty Conner, Managing Partner of DLA Piper’s Washington, DC office. “We are very pleased to welcome Carl to our Washington, DC office.”

In his role at Pfizer, Wessel handled all government investigations, including matters initiated by the US Attorney’s offices, state attorneys general, the Securities and Exchange Commission and congressional committees. He has substantial experience with matters concerning off-label promotion, anti-kickback violations, securities fraud, manufacturing, drug pricing, health care and drug sales and marketing investigations, and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). Wessel has also managed several product liability cases and other commercial litigation.

Prior to his employment in the pharmaceutical industry, Wessel served as Assistant US Attorney for the District of New Jersey where he prosecuted health care fraud, political corruption and other white-collar cases. In recognition of his superior performance, the Attorney General honored Wessel with the Director’s Award, the highest award given by the US Department of Justice.

Wessel was also a law clerk on the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and the US District Court in New Jersey. Wessel joins DLA Piper from King & Spalding where he was a partner in the Special Matters and Government Investigations practice.

Wessel received a J.D., cum laude, from Boston College Law School and a B.A. from Columbia College.