Mark Mansour has practiced US and international food and drug law since 1991. He works with the food, pharmaceutical, dietary supplement, cosmetics and life sciences industries to secure regulatory approvals, maintain compliance and preserve intellectual property rights in the US and in key global markets. Mr. Mansour counsels corporate organizations on how to effectively negotiate with government agencies, both domestically and internationally.
His daily practice focuses upon work on domestic and international food, drug, cosmetic and consumer product regulation, as well as regulatory and public policy issues relating to nutrition, dietary supplements, food additives, pharmaceuticals, agribusiness, biotechnology and nanotechnology. He also devotes a portion of his practice to conceiving and implementing strategies for both multinational, medium sized and smaller organizations facing challenges with international regulatory requirements. Addressing their needs in a shrinking commercial global village, Mr. Mansour works to develop and market products as part of a global strategy to build markets not only in the United States and developed nations, but also through the emerging commercial centers of Asia.
Mr. Mansour is recognized as a pioneer in the development of strategies to open markets and addresses non-tariff barriers to trade affecting the international regulation of food, food additives and ingredients, dietary supplements, nutritional foods, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, nanotechnology and a variety of other consumer products. His approach to client relations is to serve as a business advisor, rather than solely as a legal adviser. He strives to provide advice and counsel in a broader business context rather than seek to solve a narrow legal issue in isolation, using a broad range of experience in the formation of teams of experts from diverse backgrounds and cultures to manage complex legal and public policy projects. He has had active experience working with regulators in the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, the European Union, the Middle East, North Africa and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, South Africa, Turkey, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, China and Australia, among other major global markets.
He maintains a presence for the Firm in governmental, intergovernmental and international industry groups that is keyed to his solid reputation in the consumer product, food, dietary supplement and biotechnology industries. He is also active in a variety of international public policy matters governing the food and drug trade, advising multinational food and drug producers and trade associations, while working closely with congressional offices and U.S. government agencies on trade matters. The Egyptian and Kuwaiti governments each invited his participation in the drafting of their environmental laws, which took unique advantage of his special skills in regulatory affairs coupled with his native Arabic language and cultural understanding. He continues to be a leading participant and speaker on a variety of regulatory and trade issues affecting the regulated consumer products industries and other emerging technologies, addressing regulators, public policy leaders and scientists in countries around the world, often participating in programs sponsored by leading U.S. agencies, including the Department of Agriculture and the Department of State.
Prior to entering private practice, Mr. Mansour served as assistant general counsel and director of global regulatory affairs with two of the world's largest food companies, where he led the development and implementation of the companies' global regulatory strategies. He chaired a multidisciplinary team that set policies and global strategies in the areas of health and nutrition claims, fortification, packaging, food safety, FDA compliance and removal of international regulatory and trade barriers. Building upon his unique set of international and public policy academic credentials, Mr. Mansour is uniquely able to call upon his complementary set of experiences in major multinational corporations, private law firm practice and his previous legislative experience as a former staff member in the U.S. House of Representatives. He is active in a variety of international public policy matters, advising multinational food and drug producers and trade associations and working closely with congressional offices and U.S. government agencies on regulatory and trade issues affecting the food, commodity and agribusiness, drug, dietary supplement, cosmetics, medical device, consumer product, biotechnology and nanotechnology industries.
Publications
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"From Farm to Fork: The Impact on Global Commerce of the New European Union Biotechnology Regulatory Scheme," International Lawyer, Spring 2004 (co-authored with Sarah A. Key)
Speaking Engagements
Mr. Mansour is a regular speaker at Food and Drug Law Institute (FDLI) events and frequent participant at international regulatory and public policy seminars
Civic Involvement and Distinctions
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ABA International Law
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World Food Law Institute – Member, Advisory Council
Languages