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.

Calvin R. Nelson
Partner

Calvin Nelson counsels his clients as they seek to secure and acquire IP, such as trademarks and copyrights, and is a valued partner in their brand-protection efforts, providing support through enforcement on online marketplaces, sending cease and desist letters, assisting with anti-counterfeiting efforts, and litigating disputes that can’t be resolved out of court. His broad experience includes representing clients in IP disputes in federal courts and cancellations and oppositions before the Trademark Trial and Appeals Board (TTAB). Learn more.

Dan S. Silverman
Partner

Dan Silverman has more than 30 years of experience successfully defending against consumer false advertising class actions for food, beverage, and dietary supplement companies throughout the country, and litigating competitor false advertising suits brought under the Lanham Act. Dan also frequently defends against class actions involving privacy statutes, autorenewal laws, and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), as well as suits arising under California's Proposition 65. He also has a winning track record litigating a wide variety of complex commercial and intellectual property disputes. Learn more.

Ari N. Rothman
Partner

Ari Rothman focuses his nationwide practice on all legal facets of advertising and marketing, telemarketing, privacy disputes, and payment processing. Ari represents online retailers, advertisers, nutritional supplement and food companies, affiliate networks, lead generators, advertising agencies, payment processors, independent sales organizations (ISOs), and others in contract negotiations and compliance reviews. He also represents such clients in investigations before the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and state attorneys general, in class action and business-to-business litigation, arbitrations, and before the National Advertising Division (NAD) of the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Learn more.

Caitlin C. Blanche
Partner

Caitlin Blanche is a seasoned litigator who focuses her practice on consumer class action and product focused litigation. Caitlin represents the manufacturers and distributors of food and beverages, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and other equipment facing issues such as false advertising, unfair competition, or other fraud-based claims, as well as product liability claims, including under California’s Proposition 65. She is nationally recognized as a thought leader in the environmental social governance (ESG) space, including greenwashing challenges, and is actively involved in efforts to combat “greenhushing.” Learn more.

Laura Rich
Counsel

Laura Rich focuses her practice on matters pertaining to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), including food, cosmetic products, drugs, devices, and tobacco products. As a former senior policy advisor with the FDA and a seasoned attorney, Laura provides valuable perspective to clients who turn to her for advice on new state and federal requirements related to FDA-regulated products, how to respond to changes in regulatory policy, and providing input to FDA rulemakings. 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.

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.

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. Learn more.