Get to Know Us: HLI Faculty & Staff
Meet Seth Whitelaw, J.D., LL.M., S.J.D.
Senior Fellow and Adjunct Professor, Life Sciences Compliance
President & CEO, Whitelaw Compliance Group, LLC.
Editor, Policy & Medicine Compliance Update
Tell us about your healthcare compliance consulting practice.
After serving as an in-house drug and medical device compliance officer with C.R. Bard, Inc. and GSK and working as a Big Four consultant at Deloitte for more than two decades, I formed Whitelaw Compliance Group (WCG) in 2015.
At the time, I recognized that the industry had changed, and now small and medium-sized drug and device companies, in many ways, were at the forefront of developing new innovative drugs and medical technologies. Although these companies understood how to develop products, many struggled to appreciate and navigate the complex world of healthcare compliance. That is where WCG comes in.
I help small and midsized companies develop or enhance their compliance programs by providing practical solutions tailored to their needs. Sometimes, that means designing and implementing compliance programs from scratch. Other times, it means providing independent reviews of existing programs or making specific enhancements, such as creating new policies and procedures. However, at its core, my work always centers around education.
What do you enjoy most about your work as a senior fellow with the Health Law Institute?
My students are what I enjoy most about working with HLI. They bring fresh perspectives to class with their diverse backgrounds and experiences. They ask insightful questions and are unafraid to explore different approaches to solving problems. They give me the gift of seeing healthcare compliance differently and learning with them.
You’ve taken an active role in the Opioid litigation. Do you expect meaningful changes from the pharmaceutical industry?
I believe we will see meaningful but incremental changes. We are already seeing litigants and courts explore non-monetary solutions to address the ongoing complexity of the continuing epidemic. These changes range from enhancing traditional compliance programs to creating meaningful harm reduction programs. Viewed more broadly, I believe these changes will impact the entire industry, but it will be an evolution, not a revolution.
What advice would you give your students who are considering a career in health law and compliance?
I started as a food and drug lawyer but ended up making a career in life science compliance. I didn’t plan it that way, but it changed my career for the better. Therefore, I advise my students considering a health law and compliance career to be lifelong explorers, never stop learning, and be open to new possibilities and happy accidents. Health law and compliance is an ever-changing field, and having a broad set of experiences ultimately makes us better healthcare lawyers and compliance professionals.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I am fortunate to have lived in the same community for more than two decades. So, when I am not caring for our four rescue dogs and tending our gentleman’s farm with my wife, I focus on making a difference locally by volunteering with our Township government, serving on the board of North Star of Chester County, a local charity that helps single parents with dependent children become financially independent, and supporting various animal rescues in our area.
Healthy Dose of Good News
Meet David Saucedo, MHSL 3L Student
Tell us about what inspired you to go to law school?
I was originally accepted into law school after I graduated from Notre Dame in 2007 but decided to return home to focus on the family business and my civic involvement in El Paso. Tragically, in 2019, my three-year-old daughter, Ivanna, died at what experts have called the most egregious case of medical malpractice they have ever seen. Since that time, I have become aware of several instances of wrongdoing with the victims not knowing they’ve been victimized and/or not having the wherewithal to understand how to try and obtain justice. This was my calling, I feel my tragedy can help others in their grief and, ultimately, change the laws that protect bad actors. As of the posting of this article, our case is now before the Texas Supreme Court as the court is tasked with considering the scope of the peer review privilege in Texas which could change the legal landscape for medical malpractice litigation.
What has been most valuable to you as a student participating in the Health Law Institute?
The course work has been challenging but rewarding. It’s reassuring to know that, indeed, there are safeguards to protect the public from harm. It’s incumbent upon those of us that plan to practice healthcare law to keep these institutions and medical providers accountable to the communities in which they serve. The Health Law Institute has done a good job preparing us to help serve the public and keep communities safe.
What are your plans following graduation?
I plan to practice in the areas of healthcare and work as an advocate for those that have been victimized by the medical systems that should have helped them but didn’t. I feel there is a void in this area, and I want to dedicate a practice to helping fill that void. Helping to bring people together through common goals is a passion of mine and I believe this law degree will help me advance these objectives.
In a few words, what are you most proud of from your time at MHSL?
I’ve enjoyed my time at MHSL and would highly recommend it to anyone that doesn’t have the luxury of putting their life on hold for three years. This program has not only allowed me to continue to serve as the president of our 100-year-old family business, but more importantly allowed me to focus on my family while in school. What I’m most proud of is coming together to a group of people from all walks of life that I now call my friends. They’ve seen me through my worst, especially with this litigation, and have always shown nothing but empathy and support. I’ll miss them when I leave, but I know these relationships we’ve forged will be an asset to us once we become practicing attorneys.
We welcome the opportunity to highlight you in one of our upcoming newsletters, and encourage any students or alumni to email us!
Events & Opportunities
Save the date for our upcoming symposium with the Food Law Center! Their lineup of experts will give a timely overview of food related topics, including recent FDA rules and guidance, anti-trust, proposed Farm Bill and labeling litigation from plaintiff and defendant perspectives. This CLE is pending for 3.25 credits, and is sponsored by Dykema.
For more information, please visit the event page.
Faculty & Staff News
Congratulations to the HLI faculty and staff on their accomplishments in September and October of 2023! Follow the links to view their most recent presentations, publications, events, panels, and media highlights.
Health Care Compliance Certificate Program
Gain a competitive advantage in one of the hottest job markets by obtaining your Health Care Compliance Certificate through our 11-14 credit program, completely online! More information and application details for J.D. students and for working professionals.
Health Law Institute’s Rankings
The Health Law Institute has been awarded an ‘A+’ by preLaw. Read more on page 40 in their Back to School 2023 issue.
U.S. News & World Report
Mitchell Hamline School of Law’s Health Law Institute was ranked nationally by U.S. News & World Report for 2023.
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