COLUMBIA, S.C. — Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP is pleased to announce that Howard Adler and John Claud have joined the firm as partners in the Corporate Practice Group, bringing extensive experience in complex transactional, regulatory, and strategic matters.

“Howard and John are outstanding additions to our Corporate Practice Group,” said Doug Spear, leader of the Corporate Practice Group. “Howard brings extensive experience in executive compensation, while John offers valuable insight into FDA regulatory and enforcement issues. Together, they strengthen our ability to deliver practical solutions to clients facing complex legal and regulatory challenges.”

Adler joins the firm’s New York office, where he focuses on executive compensation and employee benefits in complex mergers and acquisitions. Previously, he served as U.S. Chair of the Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits Group at a large international law firm. He advises on management rollovers, employment and severance arrangements, and the treatment of material employment liabilities. Adler also designs and negotiates a wide range of compensation structures, including equity-based awards, deferred compensation plans, change-in-control arrangements, and employment and separation agreements.

Claud joins the Washington, D.C., office, having previously served as a federal prosecutor and Assistant Director at the Department of Justice. He advises pharmaceutical, medical device, food, dietary supplement, cosmetics, and wellness clients on FDA litigation, enforcement, and compliance matters under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. His practice includes matters involving FDA inspections, Form 483 observations, warning and untitled letters, consent decrees, and internal investigations. Claud also counsels clients on labeling and marketing claims, brand integrity concerns, and litigation under the False Claims Act affecting life sciences companies.

The addition of Adler and Claud reflects Nelson Mullins’ continued strategic growth in key markets and its commitment to providing counsel to clients operating in highly regulated and rapidly evolving industries.