Chalana N. Damron is a counsel in the firm's Mass Tort, Product, and Consumer Litigation Group.
Chalana provides litigation and counseling services with a focus on consumer protection matters, as well as the substantiation and defense of advertising claims. She counsels clients on compliance with statutes and regulations enforced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Federal Trade Commission. Chalana also has experience assisting both challengers and advertisers in disputes before the National Advertising Division (NAD), as well as defending false advertising and trademark disputes in federal court.
Chalana also represents clients on food and drug law matters regarding compliance with statutes and regulations enforced by the Food and Drug Administration. Chalana has developed and conducted comprehensive training programs to assist regulatory executives and marketing teams understand and comply with U.S. food regulations. She regularly evaluates and offers commentary on litigation and regulatory developments impacting the food and beverage industry, and she provides clients with mechanisms to limit the risk of marketing-related challenges by plaintiffs and regulators.
Representative Experience
- Advised client concerning standards and procedures regarding governing state and federal product safety laws, including food additives, contact surfaces, cGMPs, HAACP requirements, food facility registration, and reporting requirements.
- Advised food importer concerning FDA requirements and enforcement policies concerning imported products.
- Collaborated with client's regulatory and marketing teams to develop proposed marketing claim strategy and claim language after evaluating current food litigation trends and client's claim substantiation evidence.
- Conducted a review of various food labels, packaging, and advertisements to ensure compliance with FDA and FTC regulations.
- Developed and conducted a training program, designed for legal, marketing, and regulatory executives, concerning FDA and related state regulations.
- Developed a guidance document, designed for executives, buyers, and store managers, concerning state and federal food safety requirements, including inspections and licensing, food transport vehicles, labeling, and vendor agreements.
- Conducted a review of potential products and advised client on medical device classifications, after conducting an analysis of applicable medical device categories, potential medical claims, and product marketing.
- Advised client on medical device labeling obligations, medical device facility registration, testing requirements, and reporting requirements.
- Advised importer of medical device products with respect to FDA pre-market clearance requirements including 510(k) notifications.
Her antitrust practice includes representing clients in inquiries by the Department of Justice and Federal Communications Commission, as well as representing clients seeking to recover damages in private antitrust litigation.
Chalana is an active participant in Crowell and Moring's pro bono program. Most recently, she has represented plaintiffs in two fair housing cases brought in the Eastern District of Virginia.
Chalana received her J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law where she was on the executive board of the Virginia Sports and Entertainment Law Journal, a member of the Black Law Student Association's Trial Advocacy Team, and an Innocence Project volunteer. In 2009, she earned a B.S. in political science, summa cum laude, from Christopher Newport University.
Affiliations
Admitted to practice: District of Columbia, Virginia, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
Highlights, News & Knowledge
Speeches & Presentations
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"Update on Developments in Advertising Law and Consumer Protection," BAA Legal Affairs Committee Webinar
(February 15, 2018).
Presenters: Peter B. Miller, Josh Thomas Foust, Lauren Aronson, and Chalana N. Williams.
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"Cyber Reputation Defense: Protecting Your Online Reputation," Crowell & Moring Webinar
(October 10, 2017).
Presenters: Clifford J. Zatz, Joseph L. Meadows, Laura Offenbacher Aradi and Chalana N. Williams.
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"Update on Developments in Advertising Law and Consumer Protection," BAA Legal Affairs Committee Webinar
(May 25, 2017).
Presenters: Matthew Cohen, Lauren Aronson, Danielle Rowan, and Chalana N. Williams.
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"Food & Beverage Industry: What Will 2016 Bring?" Webinar
(February 10, 2016).
Presenters: John Fuson, Michelle Gillette, Andrew Kaplan, and Chalana N. Williams.
Publications
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"It’s Only A Game. Or Is It? Advergaming In The Digital Age," Crowell & Moring's Retail & Consumer Products Law Observer
(November 21, 2017).
Author: Chalana N. Williams.
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"President Nominates Attorney Dana Baiocco to Consumer Product Safety Commission," Crowell & Moring's Retail & Consumer Products Law Observer
(September 22, 2017).
Authors: Chalana N. Williams and Matthew Cohen.
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"Who “Wood” Have Thought? Plaintiffs Challenge Longstanding Lumber Labeling Practices," Crowell & Moring's Retail & Consumer Products Law Observer
(June 30, 2017).
Author: Chalana N. Williams.
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"The Devil is in the Details: Recordkeeping a Central Focus in FSMA Inspections," Crowell & Moring's Retail & Consumer Products Law Observer
(May 9, 2017).
Authors: John Fuson and Chalana N. Williams.
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"The FDA Unveils an Updated Nutrition Facts Label," Crowell & Moring's Retail & Consumer Products Law Observer
(May 24, 2016).
Authors: John Fuson and Chalana N. Willams.
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"The FDA Issues Warning Letters to Five Distributors of Pure Powdered Caffeine," Crowell & Moring's Retail & Consumer Products Law Observer
(September 2, 2015).
Author: Chalana N. Williams.
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"New Food Recall Guidance May Signal Tougher FDA," Law360
(May 22, 2015).
Authors: John Fuson and Chalana N. Williams.
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"Firms Could Face Stiff Penalties for Failing to Follow Recall Orders to a Tee," Crowell & Moring's Retail & Consumer Products Law Observer
(May 19, 2015).
Author: Chalana N. Williams.
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"Use Foam? You may be subject to a new proposed EPA rule," Crowell & Moring's Retail & Consumer Products Law Observer
(January 22, 2015).
Co-Authors: Warren Lehrenbaum, Monica M. Welt, and Chalana Williams.
Client Alerts & Newsletters
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"There May Be Hope for That Label Claim, After All: FDA Proposes to Add Additional Non-Digestible Carbs to the Definition of Dietary Fiber,"
Mass Tort, Product, and Consumer Litigation Alert
(April 2, 2019).
Contacts: John Fuson, Chalana Netasha Damron
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"Recent Happenings in Advertising & Product Risk Management – December 2017,"
Advertising & Product Risk Management Alert
(December 20, 2017).
Contacts: Rebecca Baden Chaney, Chalana Netasha Damron, Robbie Rogart, Kate M. Watkins, Rukiya Mohamed, Christopher A. Cole, Cheryl A. Falvey, John Fuson, David Ervin, Lauren Aronson, Carolyn W. Wagner, Matthew Cohen
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"Highlights of OEHHA's New Draft Warning Regulation – A Win for California Businesses?,"
Environment & Natural Resources Law Alert
(December 16, 2015).
Contacts: Kevin C. Mayer, Chalana Netasha Damron
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"'Natural' Claims: FDA Requests Comments on Use of the Term 'Natural' on Food Labeling,"
Advertising & Product Risk Management Alert
(November 13, 2015).
Contacts: Cheryl A. Falvey, John Fuson, Andrew D. Kaplan, Chalana Netasha Damron
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"FDA's Menu Nutrition Labeling Rule May Have the Unintended Consequence of Preserving the Status Quo,"
Advertising & Product Risk Management Alert
(September 2015).
Contact: Chalana Netasha Damron
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"A Hashtag Away from a Warning Letter? Kim Kardashian’s Instagram Post Triggers FDA Warning Letter that Sends a Strong Message to Drug Makers,"
Advertising & Product Risk Management Alert
(August 2015).
Contacts: John Fuson, Chalana Netasha Damron
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"Got Lead? Significant Changes to Proposition 65's Lead MADL May Be on the Horizon,"
Advertising & Product Risk Management Alert
(August 2015).
Contacts: Kevin C. Mayer, Chalana Netasha Damron
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"U.S.D.A. Announces Plans to Implement a Non-GE Verification Program,"
Advertising & Product Risk Management Alert
(May 2015).
Contacts: John Fuson, Chalana Netasha Damron
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"Draft Guidance for Industry on Mandatory Food Recalls Available for Public Comment,"
Advertising & Product Risk Management Alert
(May 12, 2015).
Contacts: John Fuson, Chalana Netasha Damron
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"U.S. District Court Declines to Enjoin Vermont's Genetically Engineered Ingredient Labeling Law,"
Advertising & Product Risk Management Alert
(May 1, 2015).
Contacts: John Fuson, Chalana Netasha Damron
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"California Business Won’t Accept Prop 65 Reforms Without a Fight,"
Advertising & Product Risk Management Alert
(April 20, 2015).
Contacts: Kevin C. Mayer, Chalana Netasha Damron
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"FDA's Latest Round of Warning Letters Signal that the Agency is Closely Watching and Policing Improper "Healthy" Claims,"
Advertising & Product Risk Management Alert
(January 28, 2015).
Contacts: John Fuson, Chalana Netasha Damron
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"Foam and Polyurethane Manufacturers and Importers Take Note: EPA Proposes SNUR for Seven TDIs,"
Environment & Natural Resources Law Alert
(January 20, 2015).
Contacts: Warren Lehrenbaum, Chalana Netasha Damron
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"Prop 65 Reform Update – New OEHHA Draft Changes Target Chemicals,"
Advertising & Product Risk Management Alert
(January 13, 2015).
Contacts: Kevin C. Mayer, Chalana Netasha Damron
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"OEHHA Gears Up for Its Next Round of Regulatory Reform ,"
Regulatory Alert
(November 21, 2014).
Contacts: Kevin C. Mayer, Chalana Netasha Damron
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"Proposition 65 – Warning Regulation Update,"
Advertising & Product Risk Management Alert
(October 14, 2014).
Contacts: Kevin C. Mayer, Chalana Netasha Damron
Firm News & Announcements