Because the evolving legal and regulatory landscape affects our industry in unprecedented ways, Natural Products Expo West has partnered with Venable LLP to provide you with an opportunity to sit down with one of their attorneys in a one-on-one meeting to discuss the legal issues facing your business.
To participate, submit a “request for consultation” to ask questions about such issues as regulatory challenges, intellectual property protection, state and federal investigations, and enforcement.
These consultations are not intended to create an attorney-client relationship. Any advice may be given only when it is related to specific fact situations that Venable has accepted an engagement as counsel to address.
Venable will host meetings in their private meeting space, located in the Hall E lobby of the Anaheim Convention Center.
Hours of Operation:
Wednesday, March 13 | 10:00am – 2:00pm
Thursday, March 14 | 10:00am – 5:00pm
Friday, March 15 | 10:00am – 5:00pm
Attorneys Available for Consultations:
Todd A. Harrison
Partner
Todd Harrison focuses his practice on FDA, FSIS, APHIS, AMS, FTC, and the DEA, as well as other federal, state, and international consumer protection agencies governing rules and regulations related to drugs, foods, dietary supplements, homeopathic remedies, medical devices, medical foods, and cosmetics. Learn more.
Claudia A. Lewis
Partner
Claudia Lewis represents numerous clients in the areas of FDA regulations governing foods, dietary supplements, over-the-counter drugs, homeopathic preparations, medical foods, medical devices, and importation/exportation of FDA regulated goods; FTC regulations governing advertising appearing on the Internet, television, print media, and radio; FTC telemarketing regulations; USDA regulations governing the use of the term "organic"; and EPA regulations governing pesticides. Learn more.
Shahin O. Rothermel
Partner
Shahin Rothermel counsels and defends clients on issues involving advertising, marketing, e-commerce, privacy, social media, promotions, sweepstakes, and subscription programs. Shahin regularly represents clients before the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), state attorneys general, district attorneys, the National Advertising Division of the Better Business Bureaus (NAD), the National Advertising Review Board (NARB), and the Electronic Retailing Self-Regulation program (ERSP), in addition to handling complex consumer class actions and competitor disputes in federal and state courts. Learn more.
Bret P. Siciliano
Partner
Bret P. Siciliano represents clients in various industries on a wide range of business transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, private placements, real estate transactions, joint ventures, transactional advertising matters, and sponsorships and endorsements. Learn more.
Laura Rich
Counsel
Laura Rich focuses her practice on matters pertaining to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), particularly on the regulation of dietary supplements, biologics, and tobacco products. As a former senior policy advisor with the FDA, Laura provides valuable perspective to clients who turn to her for advice on shaping regulatory policy and providing input to FDA rulemaking. Learn more.
Melanie English
Associate
Melanie English brings experience in administrative law and policy to Venable's Food and Drug Law practice. Prior to joining Venable, Melanie was an intern at the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), where she reviewed and edited regulations for the Office of Regulation within the Office of the General Counsel. During law school, Melanie was a staff editor on the New York University School of Law Moot Court Board. She was also a Venable summer associate. Learn more.
Alexander S. Rubel
Associate
Alex Rubel focuses his practice on matters related to food and drug law, advertising, and consumer product safety. Alex counsels clients on regulatory compliance issues, including U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, and helps them mitigate the risk of marketing-related litigation and National Advertising Division (NAD) challenges. He also focuses on U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issues, including reporting obligations and product recalls. Before law school, Alex gained experience handling Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and CPSC matters in both the private and public sectors. Alex was also a Venable summer associate, working with the Regulatory Practice Group. Learn more.
Richard A. Starr
Associate
Richard Starr advises clients on Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) matters, including the labeling, advertising, and marketing of cosmetics, dietary supplements, and foods. Richard also has experience assisting clients in understanding green chemistry and food packaging laws throughout the United States and identifying regulatory and legislative advocacy priorities. He has aided clients in establishing clearances for food additives and food-contact materials by the FDA and other international regulatory agencies. Richard represents clients throughout the value chain, including multinational chemical and food manufacturers, distributors, restaurants, and trade associations, in FDA, state, and international regulatory matters. Learn more.
Kaelyne Wietelman
Associate
Kaelyne Yumul Wietelman advises clients on compliance with federal and state marketing and advertising laws. With a background in consumer protection and privacy, Kaelyne has helped clients substantiate claims related to price advertising and environmental and health benefits and has counseled clients on disclosures for autorenewal programs, influencers, endorsements, testimonials, reviews, and promotions. She has also defended clients before the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), National Advertising Division (NAD), and state attorneys general in investigations and inquiries into product marketing. Learn more.
Nicole Yapp
Associate
Nicole Yapp counsels clients on Food and Drug Administration (FDA) matters, including the labeling, advertising, and marketing of dietary supplements and medical devices. During law school, Nicole worked as a student attorney for the family law practice at the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau. In that role, she litigated and won a family law trial in Suffolk Probate and Family Court. She also conducted documentary and evidentiary research and prepared motions and briefs for presentation in court. Prior to law school, she worked for a community foundation, where she coordinated and facilitated a region-wide civic engagement initiative.
