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Nick Littlefield
Partner
Boston
Since 1998, Nick Littlefield has served as Chair of the firm's Government Strategies Group. In that capacity he uses his extensive public policy background to provide clients with legal, legislative, regulatory and strategic planning advice in the areas of health care, biosciences and technology, education, venture capital and other industries.
Drawing on years of experience as Staff Director and Chief Counsel for Senator Kennedy on the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Nick represents leading life sciences companies and trade associations, in a wide range of matters. His clients include biomedical research, biotechnology, medical device, pharmaceutical, and information technology companies. They seek his guidance in connection with federal regulatory matters, including issues before the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). He has been engaged by clients on legislative and administrative law initiatives, including the multi-year bipartisan effort to add prescription drug coverage to Medicare, which passed the U.S. Senate in July 2003 with broad support, and ultimately was enacted into law in November 2003; the establishment of the Biologics Advanced Research and Development Authority ("BARDA") and reauthorization of Bioshield in 2006; and the 2007 Congressional effort to establish a legislative pathway for FDA to approve follow on biologics. Nick also advised clients on such concerns as Medicare coverage and reimbursement, orphan drugs, and protection of intellectual property. Other substantive areas in which Nick provides government strategies advice include early education, elementary and secondary and higher education, and government administration.
Nick first joined Foley Hoag in 1981 and was a partner from 1982 to 1989, when he left to assume his position in the U.S. Senate with Senator Kennedy. During this period of service with the firm he advised corporate and individual clients concerning a full range of civil and criminal litigation. He also conducted investigations for clients who were victims of or accused of wrongdoing, involving financial transactions, fraud and embezzlement, theft of trade secrets and medical research misconduct.
From 1989 through 1997, as Staff Director and Chief Counsel for the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Nick worked under Senator Kennedy's direction to develop the agenda for Democrats on the Committee, and to prepare, oversee, and negotiate legislation in Committee, on the Senate floor, and in conference. He also worked with outside advocacy groups and managed the Committee's budget and staff. From 1989 to 1992 the Committee, under Senator Kennedy's chairmanship and with bipartisan support, is considered to have had one of its most productive periods since the mid-1960s, with accomplishments that included the following:
Americans with Disabilities Act
Ryan White AIDS Care Act
Food Nutrition Labeling and Education Act
Prescription Drug User Fee Act
Safe Medical Devices Act
National Health Service Corps Revitalization
The first increase in the minimum wage since 1981, from $3.35 to $4.25
National and Community Service Act
Child Care Block Grant- the first comprehensive child care legislation enacted since World War II
Employee Pension Protection Act
Higher Education Reauthorization Act
Carl Perkins Vocational Education Act Amendments
Excellence in Math and Science Act
Drug Free Schools Amendments
Civil Rights Act of 1991, overruling seven Supreme Court decisions which had reduced protections against job discrimination
During 1993 and 1994, the first two years of the Clinton Administration, the Committee was particularly active in the areas of education, health care, and job security, producing these initiatives:
National Institute of Health Revitalization Act, including women's health initiatives, removal of ban on fetal tissue research, and childhood immunization initiatives
Family and Medical Leave Act
Goals 2000 school reform
Technology for Education Act
School-to-Work Opportunities Act
Student Loan Reform Act, instituting direct student loans and income-contingent repayment.
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