Former FDA Criminal Investigations Director Joins DLA Piper in Miami
George Karavetsos has joined DLA Piper in the firm’s litigation practice as a partner in the Miami office.
Karavetsos most recently served as the director of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations, where he helped develop FDA enforcement initiatives. He also oversaw more than 300 agents and administrative personnel in the investigation of criminal violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and related laws.
Prior to his role with the FDA, Karavetsos spent more than 12 years as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Southern District of Florida, rising to executive assistant US attorney, the third-highest position in the office. Karavetsos was responsible for prosecuting complex white collar and international narcotics and money laundering cases.
In a release, the firm said Karavetsos will focus on pharmaceutical, medical device, food, dietary supplement, tobacco and healthcare matters, advising the firm’s broad array of clients in these sectors.
The news release continues:
“George has a very unique combination of white collar and FDA regulatory experience,” said Loren Brown, co-chair of DLA Piper’s global and US Litigation practices. “We’re excited to add someone with George’s reputation and talents to our team, and he will immediately enhance our trial bench, white collar and investigations platform, and FDA regulatory practice.”
Earlier this month, Louis Ramos, formerly an assistant US attorney and assistant general counsel at Pfizer, joined DLA Piper’s Litigation practice in Washington, DC. Ramos, like Karavetsos, brings extensive expertise in the life sciences and healthcare areas.
“We look forward to involving George in several sectors that are important in this region and beyond,” said Joshua Kaye, DLA Piper’s managing partner of the Miami office. “His extensive experience trying healthcare fraud cases will prove invaluable to our clients and will help reinforce our Firm’s commitment to assisting clients in meeting their compliance goals through prevention, compliance and advocacy services.”
Karavetsos earned his J.D. from Suffolk University Law School and his B.A. from the Virginia Military Institute.
