Sheldon Baker05.21.10
Ashish Talati is a partner at the Chicago-based law firm of Amin Talati. Talati primarily counsels companies and trade associations in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry on a wide range of issues surrounding U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) review, approval, and oversight of drug and biological products. He also counsels drug and biotechnology clients as well as food, dietary supplement, cosmetic and medical device companies on matters of regulatory compliance, helps them anticipate and address regulatory issues in their day-to-day business operations and strategic planning and advocates on their behalf before the FDA, FTC, Customs, USDA, DEA and other federal and state agencies, as well as in court.
I caught up with Ashish on a recent visit to my kind of town, Chicago...
Health E-Insights: What are the major changes in the industry and how is your firm responding?
Mr. Talati: There is no doubt that FDA and FTC enforcement is going to increase substantially in the coming months. We are asking all of our clients to evaluate their compliance by setting up dedicated cross-functional compliance teams and implementing any changes as soon as possible.
Health E-Insights: How do you encourage creative thinking within your organization?
Mr. Talati: At our firm everyone is on equal footing when it comes to creative thinking. We encourage all of our attorneys and support staff members to speak up if they think there is a better way to service our clients and/or complete a certain task. We have consciously kept our firm culture very informal so that associates and staff can easily talk to partners. We also have firm lunches and meetings.
Health E-Insights: What is the one thing that most upsets you?
Mr. Talati: I am very easy going so most things don’t upset me. But just like everyone else I have a very busy life and that means I don’t get to see my nieces and nephews as often as I would like. I probably see them once a year. That is something I really wish I can change.
Health E-Insights: Can you explain the impact, if any, that social networking and Web 2.0 has made on your organization or you personally?
Mr. Talati: We have been a little slow in adapting to social networking and Web 2.0. However that will change once our nutraceutical industry dedicated blog is up in about four weeks. We have channeled considerable resources so that it can be a very important website for our clients and the industry.
Health E-Insights: What's your favorite funny story about yourself?
Talati: Oh I have many. The one that comes to mind is my wedding reception. My best man’s speech lasted little too long (about 30 minutes) and so to lighten it up I made an impromptu decision to sing for my wife. Of course I cannot sing. But on that day everyone thought I was the most romantic guy with a great voice.
For more information and interview consideration, contact Sheldon Baker at sbaker@bakerdillon.com or visit his website at www.bakerdillon.com.
I caught up with Ashish on a recent visit to my kind of town, Chicago...
Health E-Insights: What are the major changes in the industry and how is your firm responding?
Mr. Talati: There is no doubt that FDA and FTC enforcement is going to increase substantially in the coming months. We are asking all of our clients to evaluate their compliance by setting up dedicated cross-functional compliance teams and implementing any changes as soon as possible.
Health E-Insights: How do you encourage creative thinking within your organization?
Mr. Talati: At our firm everyone is on equal footing when it comes to creative thinking. We encourage all of our attorneys and support staff members to speak up if they think there is a better way to service our clients and/or complete a certain task. We have consciously kept our firm culture very informal so that associates and staff can easily talk to partners. We also have firm lunches and meetings.
Health E-Insights: What is the one thing that most upsets you?
Mr. Talati: I am very easy going so most things don’t upset me. But just like everyone else I have a very busy life and that means I don’t get to see my nieces and nephews as often as I would like. I probably see them once a year. That is something I really wish I can change.
Health E-Insights: Can you explain the impact, if any, that social networking and Web 2.0 has made on your organization or you personally?
Mr. Talati: We have been a little slow in adapting to social networking and Web 2.0. However that will change once our nutraceutical industry dedicated blog is up in about four weeks. We have channeled considerable resources so that it can be a very important website for our clients and the industry.
Health E-Insights: What's your favorite funny story about yourself?
Talati: Oh I have many. The one that comes to mind is my wedding reception. My best man’s speech lasted little too long (about 30 minutes) and so to lighten it up I made an impromptu decision to sing for my wife. Of course I cannot sing. But on that day everyone thought I was the most romantic guy with a great voice.
For more information and interview consideration, contact Sheldon Baker at sbaker@bakerdillon.com or visit his website at www.bakerdillon.com.
