The Legal 500 Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) Guide continues to rank Keller and Heckman within the EU Regulatory: Food and EU Regulatory: Privacy and Data Protection categories in the 2023 edition. These prominent rankings reflect the firm’s consistent growth in the EU market and commitment to supporting clients conducting business in the EU and internationally. 

Keller and Heckman’s Food and Drug team in the Brussels, Belgium office provides representation and legal advice to food and food packaging clients on a comprehensive array of legal and regulatory issues related to European market entry, new products, including recycled products and other matters contributing to waste reduction in support of the circular economy, and more. Partner Rachida Semail and Partner Hazel O’Keeffe are both featured in the Guide for their deep knowledge within the food and drug regulatory landscape. They routinely advise the world’s largest and most prestigious food manufacturing, food packaging, and food processing conglomerates, as well as industry trade associations. As stated in the Guide, the group is known for “their expertise in the field, being able to address the different requirements: legal, toxicity, scientific.” Their ability “to establish personal links with the customer, guiding and checking status” is also noted as one of the group’s differentiators. 

The firm’s Privacy, Data Security, and Digital Media practice is led by Peter Craddock, who was named a “Next Generation Partner” in this year’s guide for being a “recognized specialist in the market on tech law (including privacy and data protection).” Peter’s legal experience and distinctive background as a software developer serve him well in advising global clients on new and existing technologies and in analyzing data protection laws and regulations with a fresh perspective. Peter’s pragmatic approach to a sophisticated and rapidly changing industry is applauded by clients who say he “facilitates a lot of our interactions and significantly improves the quality of deliverables.” Additionally, the Guide recognizes the practice as “intellectually agile, energetic and always available.” 

The Legal 500 analyzes the capabilities of law firms across the world by assessing the strengths of law firms in over 150 jurisdictions. The rankings highlight the practice areas of firms that are providing the most cutting-edge and innovative advice to corporate counsel. The Legal 500’s research is based on feedback from firm clients worldwide, submissions from law firms, and interviews with leading private practice lawyers. 

About Keller and Heckman

Keller and Heckman LLP represents a wide spectrum of companies and trade associations servicing a range of industries, including advertising, food and food additives, plastics, pesticides, privacy and data security, industrial and specialty chemicals, consumer products, drugs and medical devices, transportation, and telecommunications. The firm's practice covers the diverse regulatory areas that affect these industries, as well as public policy and litigation matters. Our attorneys and scientists emphasize creative service to clients involved in the development of new products, services, and markets. Our attorneys and staff serve clients from offices in Washington DC, Brussels, San Francisco, Shanghai, and Boulder.

—Washington, DC— International regulatory law firm Keller and Heckman LLP builds upon two of the firm's globally recognized practices, Advertising and Promotion, as well as Food and Drug, with the addition of Partner J. Kathleen (Katie) Bond.

Katie brings with her a robust understanding of food and drug matters, primarily relating to advertising and promotional issues. She provides advertising and labeling advice on a variety of products, including food, dietary supplements, over-the-counter drugs, personal care products, cosmetics, and CBD products, as well as on apparel, shoes, jewelry, and sports equipment.

“The firm is fortunate to gain a talented attorney like Katie. Her deep knowledge of advertising and labeling laws as they relate to a variety of products, including foods, supplements, and drugs, will be invaluable to Keller and Heckman clients who must navigate these ever-evolving regulations,” noted Evangelia (Eve) Pelonis, a lead partner in the firm’s Food and Drug practice.

Sheila Millar, a lead partner in the Advertising and Promotion practice, shared Eve’s enthusiasm. “We are pleased to continue the expansion of our practice’s capabilities by leveraging Katie’s extensive advertising experience. The advertising and promotion regulatory landscape is constantly changing, with scrutiny of social media marketing and influencer campaigns, health claims, and green claims in particular on the rise, so we are delighted to welcome Katie to our team.”

The addition of Katie to the Advertising and Promotion practice soon after Counsel Antonia Stamenova-Dancheva joined the firm exemplifies Keller and Heckman’s commitment to helping the firm’s clients navigate the increasingly complex regulatory environment.

“I am eager to be a part of Keller and Heckman’s globally recognized practices so I can help serve my clients in ways that I have not been able to before,” said Katie. “I know the firm’s in-house scientific staff will prove to be indispensable, and I am grateful to have the opportunity to work alongside such committed attorneys and technical experts.”

Katie received her J.D. from American University, Washington College of Law, and her B.A. from Davidson College.

About Keller and Heckman

Keller and Heckman LLP represents a wide spectrum of companies and trade associations servicing a range of industries, including advertising and labeling, food and food additives, plastics, pesticides, industrial and specialty chemicals, consumer products, drugs and medical devices, transportation, and telecommunications. The firm's practice covers the diverse regulatory areas that affect these industries, as well as public policy and litigation matters. Our attorneys and scientists emphasize creative service to clients involved in the development of new products, services, and markets. Our attorneys and staff serve clients from offices in Washington DC, Brussels, San Francisco, Shanghai, and Boulder.