In this first lunch and learn program, speakers will discuss the most important aspects of practicing food law today and what makes the food industry unique. Panelists will answer key questions about the industry, such as: What makes FDA regulation of food different from other products? What challenges are impacting the food industry? What are the jurisdictional considerations for food regulation? Panelists will further explain how to get started in the practice of food law and discuss recent important hot topics.
Speakers
Ricardo Carvajal, Director, Hyman, Phelps & McNamara, PC and Member, FDLI Board of Directors
Jessica P. O’ Connell, Partner, Covington & Burling LLP
Moderated by Samantha Hong, Associate, Kleinfeld, Kaplan & Becker, LLP
RICARDO CARVAJAL is a director at Hyman, Phelps & McNamara, PC. From 2002 to 2007, he served as an associate chief counsel at FDA, where he counseled the agency on a variety of food-related enforcement and rulemaking activities. Drawing on that expertise, he now counsels’ clients on managing inspections, responding to warning letters and other enforcement actions, resolving import detentions, and conducting product recalls. He advises clients on the regulatory status of ingredients and finished products and provides guidance on compliance with labeling and advertising requirements, as well as representation in advertising-related disputes. He also helps clients interpret and comment on the implementation of new requirements, such as those arising under the Food Safety Modernization Act. He applies his subject matter expertise to corporate transactions, issuing opinions and conducting due diligence for acquisitions and initial public offerings. He is a member of the Food and Drug Law Institute, the American Bar Association, and the European Food Law Association, and a professional member of the Institute of Food Technologists.
SAMANTHA HONG is an associate at Kleinfeld, Kaplan & Becker where she advises clients in the food, drug, cosmetic, dietary supplement, and tobacco industries on wide-ranging legal and regulatory matters related to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other federal and state agencies. As a former attorney at FDA, Samantha brings valuable insight regarding regulatory compliance matters and FDA enforcement actions. Prior to joining Kleinfeld, Kaplan & Becker, Samantha served as an Associate Chief Counsel in the Office of the Chief Counsel at FDA where she handled enforcement matters across all product areas and litigated challenges to agency actions on issues ranging from drug exclusivity and tobacco product policies to emergency use authorizations. In this role, Samantha worked closely with the US Department of Justice and was responsible for advising senior agency officials on case strategy, implications for agency policy development, and settlement negotiations. Samantha also previously served in the Office of the General Counsel at the US Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) where she advised various HHS components including the Office of Research Integrity and the National Vaccine Program Office. Prior to her government tenure, Samantha worked as a patent litigator at two international law firms.
JESSICA P. O’CONNELL is a partner in Covington & Burling’s Food and Drug practice group in Washington, DC. She advises companies and trade associations on complying with US regulatory requirements enforced by FDA, USDA, FTC, and state regulators for the manufacture and sale of foods, dietary supplements, cosmetics, OTC drugs, and animal products, and the import and export of all FDA and USDA-regulated products. Before joining Covington, she was an Associate Chief Counsel in FDA’s Office of Chief Counsel. While at FDA, Jessica counseled various components of FDA and HHS on legal issues primarily related to cosmetics, foods, and dietary supplements. Jessica received a bachelor’s degree in biology and physics from the University of Virginia, an MPH from Johns Hopkins, and a JD from Georgetown University Law Center.September 27, 2022
12:00–1:00 PM ET
This program is limited to FDLI members who are a part of the New to Food and Drug Law Group (NFDL), and student members. Registration expires on September 26.
APPLY FOR THE GROUP AND REGISTER FOR THE EVENT
New to Food and Drug Law Group
NFDL offers young professionals with up to six years of experience an opportunity to connect, learn from their peers, and enhance their skills. Individuals affiliated with member organizations, those employed by the government, and law students are encouraged to participate.
For questions, please contact Bianca Cardona.
Click here to visit the Lunch and Learn Series homepage.
