Rebecca Zadaka
Associate Attorney
O: 651.461.6857
Rebecca Zadaka advises FDA-regulated companies on advertising, labeling, and regulatory compliance across drugs, medical devices, dietary supplements, cosmetics, and food-related products. Her work centers on reviewing advertising and promotional materials, including websites, product labeling, social media, and sales materials, for FDA regulatory compliance and advising on how products are described and positioned in the marketplace. She also reviews commercial agreements relating to medical devices, helping clients helping clients align contractual terms with applicable regulatory considerations. Clients rely on her for practical, grounded guidance that aligns regulatory requirements with business objectives.
Her perspective is shaped by a background in biochemistry and experience working in a preclinical testing laboratory focused on device and pharmaceutical biocompatibility. That technical foundation informs how she evaluates regulatory questions, particularly where scientific concepts, product performance, and marketing claims intersect. She also brings experience from business litigation, where she worked on a variety of business litigation cases, including FDA-related food matters, which continues to inform her approach to risk and regulatory interpretation.
Rebecca works closely with in-house counsel, regulatory teams, and marketing stakeholders to translate FDA requirements into clear, actionable guidance. She is frequently involved in cross-functional review processes, advising on advertising and promotional materials, labeling considerations, and compliance issues tied to product development and commercialization. Her approach emphasizes clarity, efficiency, and practical decision-making.
Clients engage Rebecca on a range of matters, including advertising and promotional review, FDA regulatory questions, and state licensing considerations. She regularly works with companies to evaluate marketing materials, address compliance issues, and navigate regulatory questions that arise in day-to-day operations. She also advises on commercial contracts involving medical devices, with attention to how regulatory obligations intersect with business terms.
Her practice reflects a focus on helping companies operate effectively within regulated environments while making informed decisions about how their products are marketed and supported.
Focus Areas
- Advertising and promotional review
- FDA regulatory compliance
- Labeling for drugs, medical devices, dietary supplements, cosmetics, and food products
- Claims and marketing review for FDA-regulated products
- Commercial contracts for medical devices
- State licensing considerations
Representative Experience
- Regularly reviews advertising and promotional materials for FDA-regulated products
- Advises clients on FDA regulatory questions, including advertising and labeling considerations, product development, and product lifecycle
- Works with cross-functional teams to evaluate marketing and promotional strategies
- Reviews commercial agreements relating to medical devices with attention to regulatory considerations
Differentiators
- Background in biochemistry with experience in preclinical testing for device and pharmaceutical biocompatibility
- Experience in business litigation involving FDA-related food matters prior to joining Gardner Law
- Combines technical scientific training with regulatory and commercial legal analysis
- Experience advising across multiple FDA-regulated product categories
Thought Leadership, Teaching, & Ventures
- Author, article on FDA health claims and regulatory standards (JD Supra)
- Co-author, FDA enforcement and advertising developments (JD Supra)
- Publication, Minnesota Lawyer, “Briefly: In briefs, what difference a font can make” (October 26, 2021)
- Student Director, Health Law Clinic, during law school
- Contributes regularly to ongoing discussions around FDA enforcement trends, advertising compliance, and regulatory developments affecting industry.
Education
- J.D., Law, University of Minnesota Law School
- M.A., Bioethics, University of Minnesota
- B.S., Biochemistry, University of St Andrews
Admissions & Affiliations
- Minnesota
- U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- Twin Cities Cardozo Society
Personal
Rebecca enjoys spending time outdoors, including running, walking her dog, camping, and cross-country skiing. She also has an interest in history and enjoys learning new and lesser-known historical facts.
Articles, Presentations & Press
- FDA's Anticipated Proposed Rulemaking for Direct-to-Consumer Advertising
- Rebecca Zadaka and Paul Rothermel Named 2026 Super Lawyers Rising Stars
- Mississippi Establishes New Medical Device Establishment License and Expands Definition of “Device”
- FDA Escalates Enforcement Against Compounded GLP-1 Marketing
- A Recent Challenge to FDA’s Approach to Dietary Supplements Claims
- FDA Issues Supplemental Draft Guidance for Premarket Cybersecurity