Chalana N. Damron is a counsel in the firm's Mass Tort, Product, and Consumer Litigation Group. Chalana’s litigation practice spans numerous industries including aviation, healthcare, pharmaceutical, and food & beverage. She represents clients in a diverse array of litigations, including commercial, antitrust, class action, and product liability.
Representative Litigation Matters
- Representing pharmaceutical distributor in product liability litigation filed in multiple jurisdictions, both state and federal, stemming from voluntary recall.
- Representing major domestic airline in a federal antitrust class action.
- Represented leading snack food manufacturer in defense of breach of contract and promissory estoppel claims in Illinois federal court, obtaining summary judgment on all claims prior to trial.
- Represented parts supplier in litigation over alleged product defect and warranty claims.
- Represented personal care company in false advertising litigation under the Lanham Act.
Recognizing the intersection between regulatory compliance and litigation vulnerability, Chalana also leverages her litigation experience when advising FDA-regulated companies on a variety of regulatory, enforcement, and compliance matters. As part of her regulatory practice, Chalana assists clients with preparing for FDA inspections, evaluating quality systems, responding to FDA 483 observations, and becoming compliant with the Federal Food , Drug and Cosmetic Act. She regularly evaluates and offers commentary on litigation and regulatory developments impacting FDA-regulated industries, and provides clients with mechanisms to limit the risk of marketing-related challenges by plaintiffs and regulators. Additionally, Chalana develops and conducts comprehensive training programs to assist regulatory executives and marketing teams with understanding and complying with FDA regulations.
In response to COVID-19, Chalana has leveraged her litigation and FDA experience to guide companies as they pivot their businesses to mitigate critical supply shortages throughout the country. Chalana also assists companies with navigating the myriad of federal and state regulations aimed at reducing the spread of COVID-19 and counsels clients on COVID-19 litigation strategies and defenses.
Chalana is an active participant in Crowell and Moring's pro bono program and focuses on housing issues, such as housing discrimination and landlord-tenant disputes. 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 a member of the Black Law Student Association's Trial Advocacy Team. 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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"Milton C. Grimes: A Lifetime of Fighting Against Injustice," Orange County Bar Association,
(April 15, 2021).
Webinar Co-Speaker: Chalana N. Damron
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"Understanding the Scope of FDA Enforcement Authority and Actions," 36th Annual FDA Boot Camp
(March 25, 2021).
Speaker: Chalana N. Damron.
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"Fireside Chat" with Wendy Web Williams, Sara Lee Frozen Bakery, NBA-CLS 34th Annual Corporate Counsel Conference
(February 25, 2021).
Moderator: Chalana N. Damron.
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"FDA and the Response to COVID: Lessons Learned, and Where the Agency Goes From Here," Healthcare Ounce of Prevention Seminar (HOOPS) 2021: Health Care in the Biden Era
(February 23, 2021).
Presenters: John Fuson, Chalana N. Damron, and Nicholas J. Diamond.
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"What Lessons Can Be Learned from Food and Drug Administration Activity in 2020, and How Can Manufacturers of COVID Countermeasures Reduce Risk and Optimize Opportunities?" Crowell & Moring Webinar
(December 7, 2020).
Presenters: Cheryl A. Falvey, John Fuson, Lauren Aronson, Chalana N. Damron, and Hilary Johnson.
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"Supply Chain – Where Adversaries and Adversity Meet," OOPS 20/20 - Setting Your Sights
(October 19, 2020).
Presenters: Paul Freeman, Chalana N. Damron, Abigail Stokes, and Stephanie L. Crawford.
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"Anticipating a COVID Vaccine: Considerations for Employers and Consumer Facing Businesses," Crowell & Moring Webinar
(September 21, 2020).
Presenters: John Fuson, Thomas P. Gies, Chalana N. Damron, and Katie Erno.
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"Global COVID-19 and Sports: Threats and Responses," ILI Webinar
(July 30, 2020).
Presenters: Thomas P. Gies, Kristof Roox, and Chalana N. Damron.
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"Reopening and COVID-19 Workplace Litigation To Date: Lessons Learned and Practical Advice to Position Your Company to Mitigate Risk," Crowell & Moring Webinar
(July 14, 2020).
Presenters: Cheryl A. Falvey, Thomas P. Gies, and Chalana N. Damron.
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"COVID-19 And Product Pivoting: Pitfalls and Opportunities," Crowell & Moring Webinar
(April 22, 2020).
Presenters: Jonathan M. Baker, John Fuson, David R. Stepp, Scott L. Winkelman, Chalana Netasha Damron, Stephanie L. Crawford, and Mariam Sarwar.
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"Civil Procedure II: Complex Litigation," Howard University School of Law, Washington, D.C.
(March 31, 2020).
Guest Lecturer: Chalana N. Damron.
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"FDA 483 and Warning Letter Trends," FDAnews Webinar
(November 25, 2019).
Presenter: John Fuson and Chalana N. Williams.
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"FDA 483 and Warning Letter Trends," 14th Annual FDA Inspections Summit, Bethesda, MD
(October 25, 2019).
Presenter: Chalana N. Damron.
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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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"New Litigation Frontiers, Brought to You by COVID," Crowell & Moring's Litigation Forecast 2021
(January 13, 2021).
Contributors: Allyson McKinstry, Luke van Houwelingen, and Chalana Damron
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"PREP Act Protections For COVID-19 Vaccine Liability," Pharmaceutical Executive
(January 11, 2021).
Authors: Cheryl A. Falvey, Chalana N. Damron, Hilary Johnson, Mariam Sarwar.
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"Global COVID-19 and Sports; Threats and Responses Exposure Claims and Liability Mitigation Considerations," Crowell & Moring
(August 15, 2020).
Authors: Thomas P. Gies, Kristof Roox, Laurence Winston, and Chalana N. Damron.
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"COVID-19 Product Liability And The 'Innocent Seller'" Law360
(June 8, 2020).
Authors: Daniel T. Campbell, Chalana Netasha Damron, Mimi S. Dennis, William C. Pellett, and Emily Tucker.
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"A Guide To Evaluating And Advertising COVID-19 Products," Law360
(May 26, 2020).
Authors: Christopher A. Cole, Warren Lehrenbaum, Chalana Netasha Damron, John Fuson, and Lauren Aronson.
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"INSIGHT: Litigation Risks Related To The Defense Production Act," Bloomberg Law
(May 4, 2020).
Authors: John Fuson, Chalana Netasha Damron, and Stephanie L. Crawford.
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"FDA Issues First-of-Its-Kind Guidance for Manufacturers of 3D-Printed Medical Devices," Crowell & Moring's Recent Happenings in Advertising & Product Risk Management – December 2017
(December 20, 2017).
Authors: Rebecca Baden Chaney, Robbie Rogart, and Chalana Netasha Damron.
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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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"GAO Calls on FDA to Prepare to Resume Inspections of Drug Manufacturers,"
Mass Tort, Product, and Consumer Litigation Alert
(February 9, 2021).
Contacts: John Fuson, Chalana N. Damron, Eryn Howington
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"FDA Warning Letter Sends Pointed Message to Industry about EUAs and Compliance,"
Mass Tort, Product, and Consumer Litigation Alert
(October 9, 2020).
Contacts: John Fuson, Chalana N. Damron, Mariam Sarwar
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"FDA Plans to Resume Domestic Facility Inspections,"
Mass Tort, Product, and Consumer Litigation Alert
(July 17, 2020).
Contacts: John Fuson, Chalana N. Damron, Emily Tucker
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"FDA Advises Consumers to Avoid Hand Sanitizers Found to Contain Methanol,"
Mass Tort, Product, and Consumer Litigation Alert
(June 23, 2020).
Contacts: John Fuson, Chalana N. Damron
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"HHS Advisory Opinion Clarifies PREP Act Preemption Measures and Protection for Pharmacists,"
Mass Tort, Product, and Consumer Litigation Alert
(May 27, 2020).
Contacts: John Fuson, Chalana N. Damron, Mariam Sarwar
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"Post COVID-19: FDA Regulatory Considerations for Face Mask and PPE Companies,"
Mass Tort, Product, and Consumer Litigation Alert
(May 26, 2020).
Contacts: John Fuson, Chalana N. Damron, John Arszulowicz
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"Re-Thinking Dining in the Age of COVID-19: Follow FDA Best Practices for Re-Opening Retail Food Establishments,"
Mass Tort, Product, and Consumer Litigation Alert
(May 15, 2020).
Contacts: John Fuson, Chalana N. Damron, Emily Tucker
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"FDA Reissues EUA for Non-NIOSH Approved Respirators Manufactured in China,"
Mass Tort, Product, and Consumer Litigation Alert
(May 8, 2020).
Contacts: John Fuson, Chalana N. Damron, John Arszulowicz, Mariam Sarwar
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"FDA Reminds Companies Manufacturing Hand Sanitizer of the Importance of Using Denatured Alcohol and Continues to Closely Monitor COVID-19 Claims,"
Mass Tort, Product, and Consumer Litigation Alert
(May 1, 2020).
Contacts: John Fuson, Chalana N. Damron
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"FDA Turns to 503A Compounding Facilities to Mitigate COVID-19 Drug Shortages,"
Mass Tort, Product, and Consumer Litigation Alert
(May 1, 2020).
Contacts: John Fuson, Anne Elise Herold Li, Chalana N. Damron, Mariam Sarwar
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"FDA Issues Final Guidance Aimed at Alleviating COVID-19 Drug Shortages through Outsourcing Facilities,"
Mass Tort, Product, and Consumer Litigation Alert
(April 21, 2020).
Contacts: John Fuson, Anne Elise Herold Li, Chalana N. Damron, Mariam Sarwar
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"Mitigating COVID-19 Related Litigation Risk in the Food Industry: Follow FDA Best Practices,"
Mass Tort, Product, and Consumer Litigation Alert
(April 15, 2020).
Contacts: John Fuson, Chalana N. Damron, Emily Tucker
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"FDA Final Guidance for PPE Shortages at Sterile Compounding Pharmacies not Registered as Outsourcing Facilities,"
Mass Tort, Product, and Consumer Litigation Alert
(April 14, 2020).
Contacts: John Fuson, Chalana N. Damron
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"In Response to COVID-19 Pandemic, FDA Temporarily Changes Packaging and Labelling Requirements for Shell Eggs,"
Mass Tort, Product, and Consumer Litigation Alert
(April 10, 2020).
Contacts: John Fuson, Chalana N. Damron, Emily Tucker
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"FDA Recommends Social Distancing in Food Facilities to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19,"
Mass Tort, Product, and Consumer Litigation Alert
(April 8, 2020).
Contacts: John Fuson, Chalana N. Damron, Emily Tucker
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"Emergency Use Authorization for Ventilators and Related Equipment,"
Mass Tort, Product, and Consumer Litigation Alert
(April 7, 2020).
Contacts: John Fuson, Chalana N. Damron, Mariam Sarwar
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"FDA Releases New Enforcement Policy for Face Masks and Respirators,"
Mass Tort, Product, and Consumer Litigation Alert
(April 7, 2020).
Contacts: John Fuson, Chalana N. Damron, John Arszulowicz
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"The FDA Reverses Course and Authorizes the Importation of Non-NIOSH Approved Respirators Manufactured in China,"
Mass Tort, Product, and Consumer Litigation Alert
(April 6, 2020).
Contacts: John Fuson, Chalana N. Damron, Mariam Sarwar
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"Section 564 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act: Emergency Use Authorization,"
Mass Tort, Product, and Consumer Litigation Alert
(March 30, 2020).
Contacts: John Fuson, Chalana N. Damron
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"In Response to COVID-19 Pandemic, FDA Temporarily Changes Nutrition Label Rules for Restaurants and Food Manufacturers,"
(March 27, 2020).
Contacts: John Fuson, Chalana N. Damron, Emily Tucker
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"FDA Presses Pause on Domestic and Foreign Inspections for all FDA-Regulated Products Due To COVID-19 Concerns,"
Mass Tort, Product, and Consumer Litigation Alert
(March 20, 2020).
Contacts: John Fuson, Chalana N. Damron, Emily Tucker
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"FDA Enforcement Trends: Reflecting on 2019 and Looking Onward to 2020,"
(March 16, 2020).
Contacts: John Fuson, Chalana N. Damron, Emily Tucker
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"FDA Enforcement Trends: Reflecting on 2019 and Looking Onward to 2020,"
Mass Tort, Product, and Consumer Litigation Alert
(February 12, 2020).
Contacts: John Fuson, Chalana N. Damron, Emily Tucker
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"FDA Enforcement Trends: Reflecting on 2019 and Looking Onward to 2020,"
Mass Tort, Product, and Consumer Litigation Alert
(January 16, 2020).
Contacts: John Fuson, Chalana N. Damron, Emily Tucker
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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 N. Damron
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"Recent Happenings in Advertising & Product Risk Management – December 2017,"
Advertising & State AG Alert
(December 20, 2017).
Contacts: Christopher A. Cole, Cheryl A. Falvey, John Fuson, David Ervin, Lauren Aronson, Carolyn W. Wagner, Matthew Cohen, Rebecca Baden Chaney, Chalana N. Damron, Robbie Rogart, Rukiya Mohamed, Kate M. Watkins
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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).
Contact: Chalana N. Damron
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"'Natural' Claims: FDA Requests Comments on Use of the Term 'Natural' on Food Labeling,"
Advertising & State AG Alert
(November 13, 2015).
Contacts: Cheryl A. Falvey, John Fuson, Andrew D. Kaplan, Chalana N. Damron
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"FDA's Menu Nutrition Labeling Rule May Have the Unintended Consequence of Preserving the Status Quo,"
Advertising & State AG Alert
(September 2015).
Contact: Chalana N. 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 & State AG Alert
(August 2015).
Contacts: John Fuson, Chalana N. Damron
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"Got Lead? Significant Changes to Proposition 65's Lead MADL May Be on the Horizon,"
Advertising & State AG Alert
(August 2015).
Contact: Chalana N. Damron
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"U.S.D.A. Announces Plans to Implement a Non-GE Verification Program,"
Advertising & State AG Alert
(May 2015).
Contacts: John Fuson, Chalana N. Damron
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"Draft Guidance for Industry on Mandatory Food Recalls Available for Public Comment,"
Advertising & State AG Alert
(May 12, 2015).
Contacts: John Fuson, Chalana N. Damron
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"U.S. District Court Declines to Enjoin Vermont's Genetically Engineered Ingredient Labeling Law,"
Advertising & State AG Alert
(May 1, 2015).
Contacts: John Fuson, Chalana N. Damron
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"California Business Won’t Accept Prop 65 Reforms Without a Fight,"
Advertising & State AG Alert
(April 20, 2015).
Contact: Chalana N. 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 & State AG Alert
(January 28, 2015).
Contacts: John Fuson, Chalana N. 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 N. Damron
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"Prop 65 Reform Update – New OEHHA Draft Changes Target Chemicals,"
Advertising & State AG Alert
(January 13, 2015).
Contact: Chalana N. Damron
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"OEHHA Gears Up for Its Next Round of Regulatory Reform,"
Regulatory Alert
(November 21, 2014).
Contact: Chalana N. Damron
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"Proposition 65 – Warning Regulation Update,"
Advertising & State AG Alert
(October 14, 2014).
Contact: Chalana N. Damron
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