Masoudi named FDA associate counsel

WASHINGTON, Oct. 16 (UPI) -- Gerald Masoudi has been named associate general counsel of the food and drug division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

In the post Masoudi will direct all legal matters concerning the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Since 2005, Masoudi has been deputy assistant attorney general in charge of international, policy and appellate matters in the Justice Department's antitrust division. Before entering government service he was a partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP.

"We are pleased to have Jerry's expertise and insight back at HHS," said Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach, "His leadership and service will be critical to FDA's public health mission and regulatory responsibilities."

Masoudi earned his bachelor's degree from Amherst College in 1990 and graduated from the University of Chicago Law School in 1993, subsequently clerking for Judge Frank Easterbrook of the Seventh District U.S. Court of Appeals.