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.
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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"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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"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