Fred Degnan specializes in matters concerning food law. A partner in our FDA practice and a former FDA counsel, Fred has represented clients in a wide array of food safety and related issues.

With more than 11 years in the Chief Counsel's Office at the Food and Drug Administration and 30 years at King & Spalding, Fred brings a wealth of experience to food industry clients. He has represented companies ranging from large multinational food companies and domestic food producers to international science-based nonprofit associations. Matters include food safety, biotechnology, good manufacturing practices, food labeling, and regulatory inspections and enforcement.

In addition to his responsibilities at King & Spalding, from 1989 through 2010 Fred served as The Distinguished Lecturer of Food and Drug Law at the Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law. He has written and lectured extensively on FDA-related issues and is the author of the book FDA's Creative Application of the Law (Second Edition, 2006), a consideration of FDA's implementation of its statutory authority to adapt to the demands of modern regulation.

While at FDA, Fred received the agency's highest awards. Fred served as General Counsel (1998–2009) and Chair (2010–2011) of the Food and Drug Law Institute and in 2002 received FDLI's Distinguished Leadership Award. Since 2008, he has received Chambers USA's highest ranking (Band 1) and recognition as one of the nation's top 3 to 4 food and beverage lawyers. He has also been consistently recognized by Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America, and by LMG Life Sciences as a leading food and drug lawyer.

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