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# Zeta Given Another Hat at FDA — Special Counsel
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/zeta-given-another-hat-at-fda-special-counsel/
- Published: 2025-06-03T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-14T15:13:14.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: Drugs, #legacy-id-D5159295

FDA deputy commissioner for strategic initiatives **Lowell M. Zeta**, who joined the agency’s leadership team in April, has now been given a second role — Special Counsel for FDA in the Office of the Chief Counsel (OCC). “In this dual role, Mr. Zeta provides legal and strategic counsel to the FDA commissioner and agency leadership to advance strategic regulatory initiatives, drive cross-agency innovation, and strengthen oversight across all FDA-related product areas including drugs, biologics, food, medical devices, cosmetics, veterinary products, and tobacco products,” according to a just-[revised bio](https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/fda-organization/lowell-zeta?ref=fdaweb.com). Zeta is responsible for collaborating with the commissioner to identify opportunities to “improve regulatory programs, to develop innovative strategies to emerging and ongoing issues, and to implement new programs and solutions to achieve the FDA’s mission objectives,” it says.

Under his new special counsel position, Zeta will provide legal counsel and strategic counsel on high-priority regulatory and administrative actions and cross-cutting legal issues involving emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, domestic manufacturing and foreign inspections, and risk management for regulations, guidance, and policy development. He also will work with OCC litigators and counselors to “advise FDA officials on strategy planning and risk mitigation approaches, new and pending regulations and draft legislation, and complex compliance and enforcement matters to advance FDA’s mission of promoting and protecting the public health,” the agency says.

Zeta previously served at FDA (2020-2021) as a senior advisor to the commissioner. Most recently, he was practicing law at Hogan Lovells , where he focused on regulatory and commercial strategies, enforcement and administrative matters, compliance and investigations involving the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, FDA says.