“Rachael will greatly expand our health care capabilities in the Midwest,” said Scot Hasselman, Co-Chair of the firm’s Life Sciences Health Industry Group. “Nationally known for her work in the compounding pharmacy space, she complements our existing health care and life science practice, and provides additional depth in compliance and regulatory issues on both the state and federal level. We’re extremely excited to welcome her to our team.”
Pontikes also has an active commercial and appellate litigation practice. Most notably, she had lead trial and appellate roles in two landmark cases that had a significant impact on the compounding pharmacy sector – Medical Center v. Mukasey and Wedgewood Village Pharmacy v. United States. She represents both international companies and U.S. companies in litigating or arbitrating cross-border disputes. In addition, she is litigation counsel for compounding pharmacies in resolving disputes with state pharmacy boards, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Drug Enforcement Administration in both administrative proceedings and in federal courts.
According to Pontikes, Reed Smith offers her an opportunity to grow her practice regionally and internationally.
“Reed Smith’s global platform, strong cross-selling opportunities and focus on client service allow me an incredible opportunity to grow my business and expand existing client relationships,” Pontikes said. “The Life Sciences Health Industry Group has a first-class international reputation with key clients in the pharmacy, pharmaceutical, and health care industries. I’m delighted to join a practice that offers tremendous potential for interesting and challenging work.”
Pontikes’ arrival follows the addition of real estate partner Bill Lewis, former chair of Vedder Price’s Real Estate and Land Use Group, who joined the Chicago Reed Smith office in March.
“With her significant experience as a litigator, as well as extensive health care regulatory practice, Racheal is a tremendous asset to our Chicago office,” said Michael LoVallo, office managing partner. “She enhances our capabilities to attract new clients and increase the scope of our service offerings in the health care sector to existing firm clients in the region.”
In addition to an active legal practice, Pontikes has devoted tremendous time and energy to pro bono and community service projects. Formerly Pro Bono Coordinator at her prior firm, she served on the executive committee of the Chicago Bar Association Alliance for Women, where she co-founded the mentoring circles program, which is the largest mentoring program for women attorneys in Chicago. In addition, she served on the board for the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation and as a lecturer in law at the University of Chicago, where she taught a seminar on “Obscenity and Pop Culture,” drawing on her experience as trial counsel for two groups of minor girls in their civil lawsuit alleging sexual exploitation as a result of being featured in child pornography.
Pontikes received her J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School and her B.A. from Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn., where she was elected Phi Beta Kappa.
About Reed Smith
Reed Smith is a global relationship law firm with more than 1,700 lawyers in 27 offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Founded in 1877, the firm represents leading international businesses, from Fortune 100 corporations to mid-market and emerging enterprises. Its lawyers provide litigation and other dispute resolution services in multi-jurisdictional and other high-stakes matters; deliver regulatory counsel; and execute the full range of strategic domestic and cross-border transactions. Reed Smith is a preeminent advisor to industries including financial services, life sciences, health care, advertising, entertainment and media, shipping and transport, energy and natural resources, real estate, manufacturing and technology, and education. For more information, visit reedsmith.com.
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