Richard H. Hughes IV

Richard Hughes is a health lawyer, strategic advisor, advocate, and teacher.

His advice and counsel are sought after by leading biopharmaceutical companies, investors, startups, industry trade associations, advocacy organizations, members of Congress and Congressional committees, and federal agencies.

Richard previously served as Vice President at a major vaccine manufacturer during the COVID-19 pandemic and as Managing Director at a leading Washington health care advisory firm. He also held leadership roles at a leading biopharmaceutical company and the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, and he was a gubernatorially appointed member of the Arkansas State Board of Health.

Richard is a Professorial Lecturer in Law at The George Washington University Law School, where he devotes his time to teaching and mentoring students. He previously served as a Professorial Lecturer in Health Policy & Management at the GW Milken Institute School of Public Health.

He proudly serves on the board of Vaccinate Your Family, a nonprofit organization devoted to protecting people of all ages from vaccine-preventable diseases.

Richard is a popular public speaker at industry events and conferences, frequently publishes articles and commentaries, and is regularly quoted in prominent news media outlets, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, NPR's Marketplace, Politico, Forbes, Axios, Bloomberg Law, Law360, Fierce Healthcare, Roll Call, The Washington Blade, and The Hill.

Thought Leadership & Public Affairs: Both independently and on behalf of clients, Richard shapes public discourse and thinking on pressing health law and policy issues. His thought leadership and problem-solving strategies have broken barriers to accessing vaccines and medicines. Further, he often advises clients on effective public affairs risk mitigation strategies through high-stakes external developments.

Public Policy Strategy: Richard is in high demand for his public policy strategy advice, guiding clients on proactive and reactive strategies at all levels of government across a wide range of issues, domestically and globally. Clients have trusted his guidance through periods of political unpredictability and situational uncertainty, including Affordable Care Act implementation, two Trump administrations, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Research & Analysis: Richard assembles and leads multidisciplinary teams of attorneys, health services researchers, clinicians, and analysts to offer research, analysis, and strategic industry-related business advice. He regularly facilitates or participates in client advisory boards or internal workshops and planning discussions to validate strategies and deliver valuable insights.

Legal Advocacy: Richard has represented over two dozen patient advocacy organizations in amicus brief filings before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and the Supreme Court of the United States. He regularly consults with organizations on impact litigation strategies.

Education

• The George Washington University Law School (J.D.)
• University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (M.P.H.)
• Arkansas State University (B.S.)

Board of Directors

• Vaccinate Your Family (2025 to Present)
• National Vaccine Law Conference (2023 to 2024)

• Arkansas State Board of Health (Gubernatorial Appointment) (2006 to 2009)

Past Events