Foley Expands Health Care Public Affairs Team in Washington With Jennifer Walsh

Foley & Lardner LLP announced today that Jennifer Walsh has joined as director of public affairs in the Washington, D.C. office.

In this role, Walsh will work closely with former U.S. Representative Dennis Cardoza (D-CA), for whom she served as chief of staff during his tenure in Congress, as well as with former U.S. Representative Scott Klug (R-WI). Her focus at Foley will include advising clients on legislative, regulatory and public policy matters related to a variety of issues, and primarily health care. Walsh has deep expertise on a wide range of health care issues, including the Affordable Care Act (ACA), traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, military and veterans’ health, the regulatory process, health information technology and efforts to modernize the health care system.

“With health care legislation a priority initiative for many of our clients planning for changes in their industry, reimbursement, and core business operations, Jennifer’s experience on Capitol Hill and in the private sector, combined with her intimate knowledge of the ACA will be an invaluable asset,” said Larry Vernaglia, chair of Foley’s Health Care Industry Team.

Walsh began her political career working for former U.S. Representative Vic Fazio (D-CA) in the U.S. House Democratic Caucus and later in his California office. She served as a chief of staff in the California Legislature and was tapped by Cardoza to serve as finance director on his congressional campaign and later run his office in 2003.

“I have had the privilege of working with Jennifer since I served in the California Legislature. She was among the most effective and respected chiefs of staff in the California Assembly and continued that reputation on Capitol Hill, having been part of the House Democratic leadership team while the Affordable Care Act was developed, and an instrumental leader among the Blue Dog Coalition,” said Cardoza, co-chair of Foley’s Federal Public Affairs Practice. “I look forward to building on her health care experience to develop a top notch public policy practice together.”

After leaving Capitol Hill in 2011, Walsh served as vice president for federal government affairs at a leading multi-national health care company, where she developed expertise on a variety of issues across the health care spectrum.

“I am pleased to welcome Jennifer to our DC office, where her successful track record in working with both Democrats and Republicans will greatly enhance the firm’s national public affairs practice,” said Scott Fredericksen, managing partner of the firm’s Washington office.