MLA Places Robert Falk as General Counsel at Truth Initiative in Washington, D.C.

Hanover, MD (December 5, 2017) – Major, Lindsey & Africa (MLA), the world’s leading legal search firm, today announced the placement of Robert Falk as general counsel and corporate secretary at Truth Initiative, America’s largest nonprofit public health organization dedicated to making tobacco use a thing of the past. Robert is an experienced healthcare attorney and has worked in federal and state legislative and regulatory advocacy, handled major corporate transactions and defended civil and criminal fraud cases. The search was led by Deborah Ben-Canaan of MLA’s In-House Practice Group and Stephen Springer of MLA’s Partner Practice Group, both based in the Washington, D.C., office.

Truth Initiative is a national public health organization that is inspiring tobacco-free lives and building a culture where all youth and young adults reject tobacco. The truth about tobacco and the tobacco industry are at the heart of the organization’s proven-effective and nationally recognized truth® public education campaign, its rigorous and scientific research and policy studies, and its innovative community and youth engagement programs supporting populations at high risk of using tobacco.

Prior to joining Truth Initiative, Robert served as general counsel and corporate secretary for the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest LGBTQ civil rights organization, for 11 years. During his tenure, he supported the organization's work on policy changes such as the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" repeal and the passage of marriage equality and employment nondiscrimination legislation by state legislatures. Robert also advised both the Human Rights Campaign and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation on legal issues including election and campaign finance law, nonprofit tax issues, real estate, human resource matters and intellectual property. He is a recipient of the HRC's Ally of Justice award.

Prior to joining HRC, Robert served as general counsel of the Whitman-Walker Clinic, a large HIV/AIDS social service agency, and as acting general counsel at D.C. General Hospital. He has 15 years of private practice experience in prominent national law firms where he concentrated on healthcare issues.

"Robert is the ideal match with Truth Initiative because he is passionate about matters revolving around healthcare and education, has provided extensive pro bono representation to nonprofit organizations, and in previous general counsel roles, he has successfully tackled tough issues and achieved groundbreaking social change,” said Deborah Ben-Canaan.

Robert earned his J.D. from Yale Law School and his A.B., summa cum laude, from Princeton University and Yale Law School. He also spent a year as a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Geneva, Switzerland.