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Michael
T.
Novak
Partner
Washington, DC
Mike Novak
©2024 Keller and Heckman LLP

Michael (Mike) Novak practices environmental and business law for chemical manufacturers and other clients, including agricultural, antimicrobial, and biochemical pesticide producers. His practice focuses on the regulation of pesticides and other chemicals under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA); the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA); the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA); the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA); and other federal and state regulatory programs.

Mike has extensive knowledge and experience in pesticide regulatory issues associated with product registration, including the registration of biochemicals and unique technologies; petitions to cancel or deny registration; data compensation matters; adverse effects reporting; enforcement issues; import and export requirements; tolerance petitions, including the approval of inert ingredients; and the treated-article exemption. He also drafts and negotiates business contracts for pesticide clients, including distributorship, supply, sub-registration (licensing), and registration/data transfer agreements.

As lead counsel, Mike has successfully obtained settlement of pesticide for chemical enforcement actions brought by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Headquarters (Washington, DC), EPA Region III (Philadelphia, PA), EPA Region IV (Atlanta, GA), EPA Region V (Chicago, IL), EPA Region IX (San Francisco, CA), the California Department of Pesticide Regulation, and the New York Department of Environmental Conservation. He has also obtained resolution of numerous Stop Sale Use and Removal Orders issued by EPA against clients alleging the unlawful sale of a pesticide under FIFRA.

Before entering private practice, Mike served as General Counsel for Riverdale Chemical Company and as Director of Regulatory Affairs for the Chemical Producers and Distributors Association (CPDA).

Representative Matters

  • Worked with EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD) to test the residual efficacy of antimicrobial products against SARS-Co-V2 
  • Submitted comments in response to EPA’s Human Studies Rule to obtain exclusion of combination sunscreens and insect repellents

Education

University of North Carolina, B.A., 1989
University of South Carolina School of Law, J.D., 1992