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Claire Dennis is a senior associate in the Life Sciences and Healthcare Regulatory practice at Arnold & Porter. She counsels FDA-regulated industry across the product life cycle with a focus on devices, drugs, biologics, and combination products. Her work regularly involves strategic thinking on medical product research & development, applications, and post-approval topics. 

Prior to joining Arnold & Porter, Claire was an Associate Chief Counsel at the U.S. Food & Drug Administration for nearly six years where she focused on medical devices, information disclosure, and combination products. At FDA, Claire was an integral member of the COVID-19 pandemic response and advised the agency and HHS on emergency use authorizations, enforcement, legislation, and questions concerning the Clinical Laboratory Improvements Act of 1988 (CLIA), the PREP Act, and the Defense Production Act. In addition, she provided counsel on draft and final guidance, proposed and final rulemaking, and worked on several priority topics, including in vitro diagnostics, clinical trial diversity, and emerging technologies. 

Perspectives

Chapter 13: Enforcement and Government Investigations Relating to Medical Devices
Medical Devices Law and Regulation Answer Book (Tenth Edition), Practising Law Institute
Chapter 3: 483s and Warning Letters Forms and Checklists Pharmaceutical Compliance and Enforcement Answer Book
Pharmaceutical Compliance and Enforcement Answer Book (Eleventh Edition), Practising Law Institute
Root Causes: Updates and Insights on Quality and Inspections
Newsletter
FDA Seeks Public Feedback on Regulatory Approach for Generative AI-Enabled Medical Devices
Advisory
FDA Releases Proposed PDUFA VIII Commitment Letter
Advisory
More
AFIDA In Focus: Navigating USDA’s Proposed Rule After the Comment Period
FDA Process 101: An Essential Toolkit for Practicing in FDA-Regulated Products Areas
Food & Drug Law Institute
Hot Topics in Advertising Law: The NAD and Drug and Medical Device Promotion
Arnold & Porter and BBB National Programs Presentation
Digital Health (pdf)
Introduction to Medical Device Law and Regulation, Food & Drug Law Institute
Digital Health Technology and Regulation: Bytes to Rights: First Amendment and Regulation of Output from Prescription Drug Use-Related Software Guidance
Speaker, Food & Drug Law Institute (FDLI)
More

Recognition

Commissioner's Special Citation Award
Commissioner's Special Citation Award (2023)
FDA Group Recognition Award
FDA Group Recognition Award (several) (2022-2023)
FDA Outstanding Service Award
FDA Outstanding Service Award (2022)
More

Credentials

Education

  • J.D., University of Wisconsin Law School, 2018, with Honors
  • M.P.H., University of Wisconsin - Madison, School of Medicine and Public Health, 2018
  • B.A., Political Science (Concentration in Bioethics), Yale University, 2013

Admissions

  • District of Columbia
  • Washington
  • Wisconsin

Government & Military Service

  • Associate Chief Counsel, U.S. FDA, September 2018-March 2024 (Summer Associate 2017)

Activities

  • New to FDA Law and Regulation Planning Committee, Food and Drug Law Institute (2026)
Overview