Our People
In the News
James Votaw Quoted in Inside TSCA Article on EPA’s Strict Approach to Managing ‘Unreasona…
Keller and Heckman Partner James Votaw was quoted in the Inside TSCA article titled “Industry Attorney Says EPA Could
Keller and Heckman LLP Attorneys Named as Super Lawyers in 2024 Washington, DC Edition
—Washington, DC— Keller and Heckman Partners Arthur (Art) Garrett and Manesh Rath have been recognized by Super Lawyers, part of Thomson Reuters, in the 2024 Washington, DC edition. Partner Timothy (Tim) Doughty was also selected for the Rising Stars list. All three of these attorneys have been ranked by Super Lawyers in previous years.
Partner Art Garrett, also Keller and Heckman’s General Counsel, earned recognition for his work in Insurance Coverage. He primarily advises clients on insurance recovery, with an emphasis on the representation of food industry policyholders in and out of court.
Partner Manesh Rath was recognized for his work in Employment and Labor, as well as Employment Litigation. Manesh focuses his practice on a wide range of matters related to occupational safety and health law, litigation, wage and hour and class action litigation, and association law. This is the eighth consecutive year Manesh has been selected.
Partner Tim Doughty was named to the Super Lawyers Rising Stars list for his work in telecommunications law, specifically on a range of policy, regulatory, and transactional matters. He works with corporate clients, service providers, and trade associations on legal and regulatory matters before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), courts, and state agencies. This is the fourth consecutive year Tim has been selected.
Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of professional achievement and peer recognition. Annually, no more than five percent of the lawyers in each state or territory are selected to receive this honor. Attorneys selected for the Rising Stars list must be 40 or younger or have been in practice for 10 years or fewer.
About Keller and Heckman LLP
Keller and Heckman LLP represents a wide spectrum of 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. The firm's practice covers the diverse regulatory areas that affect these industries, as well as public policy and litigation matters. Our attorneys and staff serve clients from offices in Washington DC, Brussels, San Francisco, Shanghai, and Boulder.
Keller and Heckman Gains Further Recognition in The Legal 500’s 2024 EMEA Guide
Keller and Heckman has, once again, been recognized in the 2024 edition of The Legal 500 Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) Guide, with continued rankings in the EU Regulatory: Food and EU Regulatory: Privacy and Data Protection categories, plus an inaugural ranking within the EU Regulatory: Chemicals category. 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.
The firm’s Food and Drug team in the Brussels, Belgium, office, led by Partner Rachida Semail, provides representation and legal advice to food and food packaging clients on a comprehensive array of legal and regulatory issues, including those related to European market entry for new products and recycled products, as well as other matters related to the packaging waste reduction directive and EU efforts to create and sustain the circular economy. Ms. Semail and fellow Partners, Hazel O’Keeffe and Craig Simpson, are all mentioned in the Guide for their “deep and broad expertise in regulatory matters.”
As stated in the Guide, “Rachida Semail and her team offer a great service and response time to meet demands. The firm performs in-depth analyses, always seeking to find solutions to issues presented to it.” Hazel O’Keeffe is specifically named a “Next Generation Partner” for her recognized specialization in packaging and sustainability issues.
Peter Craddock, Partner in the Privacy, Data Security, and Digital Media practice, is also named a “Next Generation Partner” for being a “reference point in the sector” and for his ability to provide “sound advice on a wide range of topics, both on litigation matters and compliance efforts.” Mr. Craddock’s legal experience and distinctive background as a software developer serve him well in advising global clients on new and existing technologies, from artificial intelligence (AI) to novel user identification techniques, and in analyzing data protection laws and regulations with a fresh perspective. Clients commend his pragmatic approach to a rapidly changing industry by noting that “his pedagogy and ability to simplify has been crucial to boost communications with different types of stakeholders,” and that he is “pleasant to work with and always available.”
Keller and Heckman received an inaugural ranking in the EU Regulatory: Chemicals category through the steadfast work of Partners Ales Bartl and Herb Estreicher in both the Environmental and Chemical Control practices. Both practices are at the forefront of helping companies comply with global chemical and environmental laws and regulations, especially on matters related to Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH). According to the Guide, the team has “unique knowledge on regulations related to chemicals and special applications” and they demonstrate strong levels of commitment to clients by “find[ing] solutions and invest[ing] time to understand the business situation.”
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 around the globe, from offices in Washington DC, Brussels, San Francisco, Shanghai, and Boulder.
Keller and Heckman Welcomes Leading Food Attorney Tony Pavel to its Food and Drug Practice
– 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.