Rachael G. Pontikes Photo
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Rachael advises life sciences and health care clients on the full range of health care regulations impacting companies operating in this industry. Widely regarded as a thought leader in the compounding sector, Rachael represents coalitions of compounding pharmacies and outsourcing facilities to challenge FDA, state regulators, or other regulatory bodies on critical issues defining the industry.  As a recognized national authority, Rachael is the leading health care partner in our Chambers-Band 1 ranked Illinois Health Care group, and is personally ranked by Chambers USA in Band 1 for the Illinois Healthcare: Pharmaceutical/Medical Products Regulatory category. Clients describe her as “quick to understand and support the perspective of the business, allowing her to help formulate business solutions that fit into the regulatory framework of our industry” and say “[h]er intellect, measured responses, written expertise and work ethic are unsurpassed."

Credentials

  • University of Chicago Law School, 2001, J.D.
  • Wesleyan University, 1996, B.A., Philosophy and Italian Studies, with honors, Phi Beta Kappa

  • Illinois

  • State Supreme Court - Illinois
  • U.S. District Court - Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court - Northern District of Florida
  • U.S. Court of Appeals - Second Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals - Third Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals - Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals - Eleventh Circuit
  • Trial Bar of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

  • Preventive Medicine Group, Board member, 2020-present 
  • Metropolitan Council, Metropolis of Chicago, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America: Council Member; Legal Committee Member; and Inaugural Member and Steering Committee Member for the Order of the Myrrhbearing Women, 2018-present
  • Culture Reframed, Board member, 2018-present 
  • Lecturer in law, University of Chicago Law School, 2010-2012, "Obscenity and Pop Culture," a seminar created by drawing on experience as counsel for 11 minor girls in Doe v. Francis and Plaintiff B v. Francis.  
  • Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE), Board member, 2011-2014, serving and chairing various committees, including the committee that conducted the executive director search.
  • Chicago Bar Association: Alliance for Women and Executive Committee, 2009-2013; Co-chair and founder, Mentoring Circles Program and Committee, 2009-2012; Co-Chair, Advocacy and Domestic Violence Committee, 2012-2013.

  • Greek
  • Italian

Awards & Recognition

  • Selected through peer review for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© for FDA Law, 2023-2025
  • Selected to the Crain's Chicago Business's Notable Women in Law List, 2022
  • Ranked Band 1 in Chambers USA for Illinois Healthcare: Pharmaceutical/Medical Products Regulatory, 2020-2024
  • Selected to the Illinois Super Lawyers list for Business Litigation, 2014-2016, 2019-2020, 2023
  • Selected to the Rising Stars list by Illinois Super Lawyers magazine, 2012-2013
  • Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, One of “40 Illinois Attorneys Under Forty to Watch” in 2013 (selected from over 1,300 nominees)
  • Illinois Leading Lawyer, 2013

NOTABLE QUOTES

  • 29 July 2015 "Order Vacates Conviction Under Trafficking-Victims Act" Chicago Daily Law Bulletin
  • 2014 “The Regulation of Pharmacy Compounding: FDA Authority and the Compounding Quality Act of 2013” Food and Drug Law Institute Primer
  • 30 April 2013 "Compounding Bill May Hand FDA New Power Over Health Care" Law360
  • March/April 2013 "FDA Authority Over Compounding Pharmacy" FDLI Update
  • 10 November 2011 "Lawyers See Challenges in Cross-Border Disputes" Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.
  • March 2011 "Q&A: Rachael Pontikes" by Olivia Clarke, The Chicago Lawyer
  • 1 February 2011 "Panel: Girls in 'Wild' video to remain anonymous" Bloomberg Businessweek

MEDIA COVERAGE

  • 21 September 2021 “Pharmacies Win Remand Of FDA's Compounded Drug Memo” Law360
  • 22 September 2021 “FDA must revisit major drug compounding policy, judge rules” Reuters