Sectors
Jen Walsh headshot.

Jennifer F. Walsh

Director, Public Affairs

Jennifer F. Walsh

Director, Public Affairs

Jennifer F. Walsh is a member of the Government & Public Policy Practice and serves as the chair of the Federal Lobbying team. She has extensive experience in government affairs, including a lengthy career as a senior staffer in the U.S. Congress and the California Legislature, and as a vice president for Federal Government Affairs at a top 20 Fortune 500 health care company. Jennifer has effectively advanced key issues before the United States Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, and the Administration.

Prior to joining Foley, Jennifer served as vice president for federal government affairs at a leading multinational health care company, where she developed and executed strategies to impact policy objectives and increase the company’s visibility among opinion leaders. Jennifer collaborated with colleagues across the health care industry, including third parties and trade associations to ensure the effective execution and success of the company’s priorities.

Jennifer served nine years as chief of staff to former Congressman Dennis Cardoza, 18th District of California. She was chief advisor and principal strategist on all legislative and political activity and served as primary liaison with the Bush and Obama Administrations, Members of Congress, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and the California Democratic Delegation. She also served as finance director for the Cardoza for Congress campaign, where she developed and managed a $2 million fundraising effort.

Previously she served as a chief of staff in the California State Legislature as well as a congressional field representative, deputy campaign manager, and House Democratic Caucus program director to former Congressman Vic Fazio, 3rd Congressional District of California.

 

Awards and Recognition

  • Top Lobbyist by The Hill newspaper (2022, 2023, 2024, 2025)

Affiliations

  • Board Member, Future Forum Foundation
  • Trustee, McLean School of Maryland

Presentations and Publications

  • Guest, Healthcare IT News’ HIMSSCast Podcast (February 2024, May 2024)
  • Speaker, 49th ACCC 2023 Annual Meeting & Cancer Center Business Summit – Association of Community Cancer Centers (March 2023)
  • Quoted, “Biden Greenlights $1.2 Trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework,” Inc.com (June 24, 2021)
  • Speaker, 46th ACCC 2020 Annual Meeting & Cancer Center Business Summit – Association of Community Cancer Centers (March 2020)
  • Speaker, Association for Value-Based Cancer Care Conference (December 2019)
April 16, 2026 Press Releases

Foley Announces Jennifer Walsh and Katie Schoettler as New Federal Lobbying Team Leadership

Foley & Lardner LLP is pleased to announce new leadership appointments for its Federal Lobbying team within the firm’s Government Solutions Practice Group, naming public affairs directors Jennifer Walsh as chair and Katie Schoettler as vice chair.
April 15, 2026 Honors and Awards

Foley Recognized as Top Lobbying Firm of 2025 by Bloomberg Government

Foley & Lardner LLP is recognized by Bloomberg Government as a Top-Performing Lobbying Firm for 2025.
December 11, 2025 Honors and Awards

Foley Recognized on The Hill's 2025 Top Lobbyists List

Foley & Lardner LLP is pleased to announce that public affairs directors Dennis Cardoza, Katie Schoettler, Jennifer Walsh, and special counsel John Strom are recognized by The Hill as 2025 Top Lobbyists.
October 16, 2025 In the News

Foley Attorneys Outline H.R. 1’s Sweeping Changes to Medicaid

Foley & Lardner LLP partner Anil Shankar and public affairs director Jennifer Walsh are highlighted for their recent health care webinar in the healthcare innovation article, "H.R. 1 and Medicaid: What Healthcare Providers Need to Know About Upcoming Changes."
October 15, 2025 Events

How H.R.1 Slashed Medicaid Budgets: What This Means For You

The new federal budget law H.R.1, enacted on July 4, 2025, makes dramatic changes to Medicaid and other government healthcare programs, including significant new restrictions on eligibility for certain immigrants, new requirements applicable to states that have chosen to cover low-income adults under the Medicaid coverage expansion, and drastic changes to the financing of the Medicaid program.
A person wearing purple gloves handles a tray filled with red and white capsules in a laboratory or pharmaceutical setting, similar to the careful attention to detail found in top corporate law office environments.
April 21, 2025 Health Care Law Today

Prescription Drugs: Executive Order Aims to Lower Prices

On April 15, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order (EO) with the aim of reducing the cost of prescription drugs.