The WBA’s mission is to increase advocacy, expand professional development, and support young attorneys and law school students through knowledge and scholarships.

—Washington, DC— LieAnn Van-Tull, an associate with the Food and Drug Packaging and Tobacco and E-Vapor practice groups at international regulatory law firm Keller and Heckman LLP, was sworn in as President-Elect of the Washington Bar Association, Inc. (WBA) on June 1, 2022, during its Annual Meeting and Conference at American University’s Washington College of Law. 

“I feel honored to have the opportunity to serve an organization that provides an avenue for attorneys to excel. I have enjoyed contributing to the WBA as Secretary, former Membership Chair, and as an active committee member, and look forward to expanding my impact as President. In particular, I am eager to broaden the organization’s membership base, create new mentorship and leadership opportunities, and further its advocacy efforts for underrepresented members of the legal community.”

The WBA is the oldest and largest predominantly Black bar association in Washington, DC. Founded in 1925, the WBA, consistent with the philosophy of Houstonian Jurisprudence, is dedicated to improving and protecting the well-being of the legal profession and its members, advancing the science of jurisprudence and the administration of justice, and promoting diversity while preventing discrimination within the legal field. “LieAnn exemplifies a commitment to legal excellence, community engagement and enhancing diversity in the legal profession,” said Cynthia Lieberman, the Chair of Keller and Heckman’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee. “We could not be more thrilled to see her elected to the Washington Bar Association’s Executive Leadership Team.”

Richard Mann, Chair of Keller and Heckman’s Management Committee, shares the firm’s enthusiasm noting, “LieAnn’s new position at the Washington Bar Association showcases her dedication to protecting equal justice under the law and inspires the firm in our own pursuit for increasing diversity in the workplace.”

LieAnn was sworn in as President-Elect on June 1, 2022, and will assume the role as President in June 2023 for the 2023-2024 bar year.  

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 food and food additives, plastics, pesticides, industrial and specialty chemicals, consumer products, drugs and medical devices, transportation, and telecommunications. 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.

For questions concerning this press release, please contact:

Caryn Wick
Marketing Director
wick@khlaw.com
+1 202.434.4318

Keller and Heckman LLP’s Food and Drug Practice has been ranked a Chambers USA Band 1 firm in the area of Food and Beverages: Regulatory & Litigation – Nationwide for the eighth consecutive year. This is the firm’s sixteenth year being ranked, and it is one of only four firms to attain this prestigious Band 1 position. Additionally, Partner Devon Hill received an individual Band 3 ranking, while Partners Richard Mann and Evangelia Pelonis both received an individual Band 4 ranking.

Keller and Heckman’s global Food and Drug Practice provides clients with the expertise necessary to establish regulatory compliance for foods, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, tobacco, veterinary products, dietary supplements, and cosmetics, including packaging regulations for items within these industries – thereby assisting clients in bringing products to market. The practice has more than fifty years of experience representing companies and trade associations before the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and other government agencies, and in successfully handling challenges to marketed products.

One of Keller and Heckman’s strengths lies in assisting clients on issues where law and science overlap. In 1971 we pioneered the model of law and science which has remained a distinguishing feature of the firm. Today we have more than 20 in-house scientific and technical experts (primarily chemists and toxicologists) collaborating with our attorneys. For clients, this is a key advantage of working with Keller and Heckman, our ability to provide legal support and solutions on technical or scientifically complex issues efficiently and effectively.

In addition to the firm receiving a Band 1 ranking, Keller and Heckman Partner Devon Hill received a competitive individual Band 3 ranking, and Partners Richard Mann and Evangelia Pelonis received individual Band 4 rankings. Mr. Hill’s practice focuses on the regulatory aspects of the global marketing of new foods, cosmetics, packaging, and related products along with compliance issues for products already on the market. Mr. Mann’s practice is focused on food advertising, promotional and labeling claims, as well as food safety and compliance issues, and Ms. Pelonis’ practice is focused on FDA and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) matters relating to food safety, animal feed, food additives and ingredients, and dietary supplements. 

For over two decades, Chambers has highlighted the uppermost tiers of legal performance, establishing those selected for inclusion in its Band categories as leaders in their respective fields. Chambers relies on extensive client feedback in addition to robust independent research to determine its rankings. Both practices and independent attorneys are ranked based on effectiveness and achievements, experience, and value delivered to clients.

Keller and Heckman has a broad practice in the areas of regulatory law, public policy, and litigation, serving both domestic and international clients. With offices in Washington, DC, Brussels, San Francisco, Shanghai, and Boulder, the firm helps the world's most vital businesses achieve their objectives.