– Washington, DC – Regulatory law firm Keller and Heckman LLP continues to expand their internationally recognized Food and Drug practice with the strategic addition of Partner Anthony (Tony) Pavel in the firm’s Washington, DC office.

After having worked for over ten years in private practice at major international law firms, Tony led the Global Food Law Team at one of the world’s largest food and agricultural products producers. He then served as Deputy General Counsel, Global Food Law for a global precision fermentation start-up and its portfolio of biotech services and food/ingredient offerings. He has a robust understanding of U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations related to food, animal feed, food additives and ingredients, dietary supplements, and cosmetics, as well as issues related to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and other regulatory bodies around the world. Tony also has significant experience helping clients navigate recall and market withdrawal strategies, import detentions, seizures, and alleged food tampering.

“Tony’s impressive career path syncs seamlessly with Keller and Heckman’s collaboration of law and science," said Richard (Rick) Mann, Chair of Keller and Heckman’s Management Committee and a partner in the Food and Drug practice. “Tony’s esteemed reputation and professional accomplishments both in-house and in private practice are an asset to our clients and enhances our already dynamic Food and Drug team.”

Tony focuses his practice on an array of comprehensive food and drug regulatory matters, bringing his global corporate experience to counseling clients on items such as obtaining the authorization of new food ingredients, complying with manufacturing requirements, promotional and labeling claims, regulatory advocacy and regulatory compliance within the global supply chain.

“Keller and Heckman’s Food and Drug practice is an international leader in food and drug regulations. When considering a move back to private practice I knew I wanted to be part of this talented team of attorneys and scientists with unmatched global expertise in key geographies,” said Tony. “I am eager to share my experience and guide clients through the multitude of issues that I have become so familiar with during my 20-plus years in the food industry.”

Tony received his J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, and his Honors B.Sc. in Animal Science from the University of Western Ontario.

About Keller and Heckman

Keller and Heckman is an internationally renowned law firm with a broad practice in the areas of regulatory law, public policy, and litigation. From offices around the world, we represent global companies and trade associations servicing a range of industries, including technology, telecommunications, food and food additives, plastics, pesticides, industrial and specialty chemicals, consumer products, drugs, medical devices, and transportation. We are a pioneer in the use of interdisciplinary approaches to problem-solving with an in-house scientific staff that works closely with the attorneys on matters of technical complexity.
 

The 2024 Chambers Europe Guide has continued to recognize Keller and Heckman’s Food and Drug Practice with a Spotlight ranking in the Regulatory: Agro/Food category and the Environmental Practice with a Band 3 ranking in the Regulatory: Environment category, Europe-wide. Additionally, Partner Hazel O’Keeffe was elevated to the Spotlight ranking in the Regulatory: Agro/Food category Europe-wide, joining fellow Food and Drug Partner Rachida Semail in this prestigious individual ranking.

With an office in Brussels, Belgium, Keller and Heckman’s internationally recognized European Food and Drug Practice and Environmental Practice are comprised of diverse teams of multilingual attorneys and scientists collaborating to meet the demands of an array of clients operating throughout the European Union (EU) and around the globe.

The firm’s European Food and Drug Practice provides legal advice to food and food packaging clients, including trade associations, on a comprehensive range of legal and regulatory issues. They promote, protect, and defend products made by the spectrum of industries regulated under national, international, and EU food law, advising the world’s largest and most prestigious food manufacturing, food processing, recycled products, and waste conglomerates. 

For the third consecutive year, Rachida Semail received a Spotlight ranking for her specialized knowledge in food law, including food contact regulations. Hazel O’Keeffe received her inaugural Spotlight ranking for her extensive knowledge of the regulation of food contact materials, as well as her sustainability practice, which focuses on matters such as packaging waste and extended producer responsibility schemes.

Keller and Heckman’s European Environmental Practice, led by Partner Ales Bartl, provides industrial, corporate, and association clients with creative and cost-effective solutions for regulatory compliance, environmental management, and pollution prevention. The strength of the practice derives from Keller and Heckman’s deep understanding of their clients’ industries and having a broad range of environmental knowledge, both scientific and legal.

Along with its inclusion in the Chambers Europe Guide, Keller and Heckman’s international Food and Drug Practice garners rankings in the Chambers USA Guide and Chambers Greater China Guide. These rankings further demonstrate Keller and Heckman’s global standing as a leader in the food, drug, and packaging law industries.

About Keller and Heckman

Established in 1962, Keller and Heckman is an internationally renowned law firm with a broad practice in the areas of regulatory law, public policy, and litigation. From offices around the world, our attorneys represent global companies and trade associations servicing a range of industries, including food and food additives, tobacco and e-vapor, plastics, pesticides, industrial and specialty chemicals, consumer products, drugs and medical devices, transportation, and telecommunications. Keller and Heckman is a pioneer in the use of interdisciplinary approaches to problem-solving with an in-house scientific staff that works closely with the attorneys on matters of technical complexity.