Lewis Brisbois today announced that Daron Watts has joined the firm as a partner and will be national chair of the firm’s Government Affairs and Public Policy Practice and a member of the Administrative and Regulatory, Life Sciences, Health Care and Complex Commercial Litigation Practices. Watts will work from the firm’s Washington D.C. office. Mr. Watts joins Lewis Brisbois from The Watts Group.
With almost 30 years of legal experience, Watts counseled clients on general legal and policy questions as well as on complex matters involving law, public policy, market challenges, political issues, and crisis management. Before founding The Watts Group, Mr. Watts practiced for more than 23 years with Sidley Austin in its Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. offices, where he served as a founder and co-leader of the firm’s Government Strategies team as well as a partner in the firm’s Life Sciences/FDA/Health Care practices. In these capacities, Mr. Watts handled commercial litigation, regulatory and policy issues including matters across the spectrum of health and nutrition, technology, and equity.
In discussing his decision to return to a large law firm environment, Mr. Watts described that the unique opportunity at Lewis Brisbois appealed to him. “I was drawn to Lewis Brisbois because of its culture, and it has such a strong national platform. I am excited to have the opportunity to help round out the firm’s established Washington D.C. office,” Watts said. “Washington is ground zero for law and policy – globally, and I believe that a well-rounded Washington, D.C. office will positively impact practice groups nationwide. From our D.C. base, my team will continue to help clients navigate federal law and policy, like hot issues relating to health care innovation, access, and costs. But now, leveraging the combination of our expertise with Lewis Brisbois’ national platform and offices and resources in all the key states where these same issues are hot will be a game changer for many of my clients and even more of Lewis Brisbois’ existing clients.”
In addition, Mr. Watts explained that advocating for equity and social impact issues is “inextricably intertwined” with the other aspects of his practice. Specifically, he consistently works to support rare diseases, to increase access to health care for underserved populations, to protect voters’ rights, and criminal justice reform. “Advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion is part of the fabric of what I do. It’s how I live. I know that Lewis Brisbois supports and shares these values.”
“The work that we have done in developing our Washington, D.C. office has created a solid foundation for pursuing our future growth and development goals,” said Washington, D.C. Managing Partner Jane C. Luxton. “Daron’s deep and extensive capabilities in government affairs, public policy, life sciences, and social justice will benefit Lewis Brisbois and our clients in a variety of important ways. We look forward to working with Daron and learning from him.”
Similarly, Co-Chair of Lewis Brisbois’ Complex Business & Commercial Litigation Practice and member of the firm’s Management Committee Craig Holden said, “Daron has a terrific combination of skill sets that will help clients navigate complex commercial litigation that frequently intersects with complex regulatory and government affairs issues. I’m confident he will help us grow the client base in our DC office and nationally, while also bringing his valuable experience and perspectives to our DEI initiatives.”
Outside of his practice, Mr. Watts is an active member of the Board of the University of Southern California’s Gould School of Law. Mr. Watts also sits on the Board of the Congressional Black Caucus Political Action Committee.
Mr. Watts earned his law degree from the University of Southern California Gould School of Law and his undergraduate degree from the University of San Diego. He is admitted to practice in Washington, D.C. as well as in state and federal courts in California.
Source: lewisbrisbois.com
