Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who has been nominated by President Donald Trump for the position of Health and Human Services secretary, plans to maintain his financial interest in certain litigation cases handled by the law firm Wisner Baum. Kennedy intends to continue receiving fees from past client referrals to the firm, despite the potential conflict of interest that may arise as he would be overseeing policies affecting drug manufacturers if confirmed by the Senate.
According to ethics records released on Wednesday, Kennedy has earned over $2.4 million from his association with Wisner Baum in recent years. The law firm is currently involved in a lawsuit against Merck over the HPV vaccine Gardasil, which is used to prevent human papillomavirus infections that can lead to cancer.
Wisner Baum is known for its expertise in handling Gardasil cases and is currently in the midst of a trial against Merck in California. Kennedy has stated in his ethics agreement that he would resign from his consulting arrangement with the firm if confirmed, but he plans to retain his contingency fee interest in cases not involving the United States or with a direct interest from the government.
Kennedy has been a vocal critic of vaccine safety and efficacy, including Gardasil, which is recommended by the CDC for routine vaccinations in children. Merck, the manufacturer of Gardasil, has emphasized the extensive scientific evidence supporting the safety and effectiveness of their HPV vaccines.
In addition to his involvement with Wisner Baum, Kennedy also has a referral agreement with the firm Morgan & Morgan PA, entitling him to a percentage of fees from cases he refers. Kennedy has stated that he has no ongoing contingency fee cases with the firm and will not receive further payments for past cases.