Keller and Heckman has earned continued recognition within the 2025 edition of The Legal 500 Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) Guide amongst other leading law firms in the European Union (EU). The firm’s Brussels office received rankings within the EU Regulatory: Food, EU Regulatory: Privacy and Data Protection, and EU Regulatory: Chemicals categories, demonstrating the firm’s consistent growth in the EU market and commitment to supporting clients conducting business in the EU and globally.

The firm’s Food and Drug practice operating out of the Brussels, Belgium office is recommended for its “very specialised knowledge, solidity, comprehensiveness and efficiency,” as stated in the Guide, maintaining a Tier 2 ranking. Working with food and food packaging clients, the practice handles matters on an array of legal and regulatory issues, such as those related to European market entry for new and recycled products and the EU’s efforts to create and sustain the circular economy. Partner Rachida Semail leads the team with her vast experience in food-contact matters and is “highly visible in the small world of chemical regulations in Europe and beyond.” Partner Hazel O’Keeffe, named a “Next Generation Partner” for her recognition as a “very knowledgeable, efficient, and supporting partner,” works extensively on packaging issues as well, with a focus on sustainability. Partner Craig Simpson rounds out the team with his “deep knowledge of EU food case law.”

Peter Craddock, lead partner in the European Privacy, Data Protection and Digital Media practice, was also named a “Next Generation Partner” thanks to a combination of “impressive expertise of complex European privacy law issues with a strong technical understanding of how the industry works.” The practice continued to earn a Tier 3 ranking for their “organized and specialised” experience “in the ad tech industry that is not easy to find nowadays.”

Keller and Heckman also secured a Tier 3 ranking in the EU Regulatory: Chemicals category for the steadfast work of Partners Ales Bartl and Herb Estreicher in both the Environmental and Chemical Control practices. In addition to working on matters related to waste, pollution, and the circular economy, the team also has extensive experience in matters involving the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation, biocides, and fertilizers.

The Legal 500 evaluates law firms across more than 150 jurisdictions, providing a comprehensive analysis of firms’ strengths and capabilities. The rankings highlight firms that offer cutting-edge, innovative advice to corporate counsel. The Legal 500 research is based on feedback from clients, submissions from law firms, and interviews with leading private practice lawyers.

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, 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.

Keller and Heckman’s Brussels office has upheld its rankings in the highly regarded 2025 Chambers Europe Guide for Regulatory: Agro/Food and Regulatory: Environment, while also earning a new ranking in TMT: Data Protection. This increased recognition highlights the scope of the firm's talented team of multinational attorneys and scientists residing in the Brussels office, further establishing Keller and Heckman as a leader across diverse practice areas within the European legal landscape and beyond.

The firm’s European Food and Drug practice maintained a Spotlight ranking in the Europe-wide Regulatory: Agro/Food category, with Partners Rachida Semail and Hazel O’Keeffe retaining their individual Spotlight rankings in the same category for their specialized knowledge in food and drug packaging law. The practice advises some of the world’s largest and most prestigious food manufacturing, food processing, recycled products, and waste conglomerates on a comprehensive range of legal and regulatory issues. The Guide recognizes Rachida, Hazel, and the entire Food and Drug practice for their commitment to providing top-tier legal services – clients noted they “always feel confident that our lawyers at Keller and Heckman know what they are doing.” 

Keller and Heckman’s European Environmental practice, led by Partner Ales Bartl and U.S.-based Partner Herb Estreicher, kept a Band 3 ranking in the Europe-wide Regulatory: Environment category. The practice has extensive experience in assisting companies comply with global chemical laws and regulations, including the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation, the Classification, Labelling, and Packaging (CLP) regulation, and the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR). Client feedback emphasized the “excellent advice” clients receive on “complicated chemical regulatory questions.”

Partner Peter Craddock earned his inaugural Chambers ranking as Up and Coming within the TMT: Data Protection category in Belgium. According to client feedback stated in the Guide, Peter’s “level of sophistication is outstanding, with the ability to handle complex legal matters while providing clear, actionable solutions.” With a background in software development, Peter analyzes and advises on data protection laws and regulations with a unique perspective. Keller and Heckman’s Privacy, Data Security, and Digital Media practice covers all areas of the digital ecosystem, focusing on cutting-edge matters related to privacy, data protection, cybersecurity, AI governance, digital advertising, and more.

Along with its inclusion in the Chambers Europe Guide, Keller and Heckman garners rankings in the Chambers USA Guide and Chambers Greater China Guide. These rankings further demonstrate Keller and Heckman’s global standing as a leading law firm in a range of different industries.

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, 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.