Brian Burns

Brian Burns

Counsel

Background

Skilled policy and legal advisor for the pharmaceutical industry. Decades of in-house government relations experience for major health care companies. Calibrates public communications with political engagement.

Brian Burns is a go-to strategist for pharmaceutical and health care companies in Washington, D.C. For decades, Brian has represented major health care companies before the legislative and executive branches, communicating complex science, business and political information to corporate clients. His deep knowledge of the unique ecosystem of drug policy and who the key players are is used to keep clients informed of the latest developments, provide sound policy counsel, and develop strategies that catalyze support among the third-party community, from advocacy organizations and trade groups to media publications. Brian is sought after for his ability to deftly maneuver clients through complex issues related to drug pricing; biosimilars; the opioid epidemic; intellectual property; and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

Prior to joining Brownstein, Brian served as executive director of federal affairs at Johnson & Johnson. There, he managed the company’s political action committee and grassroots activities, and staffed the company’s representative on the PhRMA Board of Directors. Brian also represented Hoffmann-La Roche before Congress as director of federal government affairs, where he provided counsel on issues such as the Medicare prescription drug benefit and intellectual property, and prepared the company for rigorous congressional hearings. Earlier in his career, Brian coordinated federal tax policy at Warner Lambert Company as director of government affairs and public policy.

Representative Matters

Recent Experience

  • Produces a daily newsletter on developments in the pharmaceutical industry, which includes fresh intelligence and analysis of media headlines and legislative and regulatory activity.

  • Prepared a corporate executive preparing to testify as a witness for a House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing on medical device counterfeiting. Advised on the types of questions and lines of inquiry the committee would focus on and provided insight on the perspectives of individual committee members.

Credentials

Education

  • J.D., 1990, George Mason University School of Law
  • B.A., 1982, Providence College

Admissions

  • District of Columbia