Overview
Christopher M. Lahiff counsels domestic and multinational companies in the food production and processing industries, and in allied industries such as agricultural chemicals.
Chris represents clients before the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). He assists clients in providing input into government regulatory policies and developing operational programs with the client in response to those policies and regulations. He also counsels companies through a variety of proceedings, including regulatory enforcement, risk mitigation negotiations, data compensation arbitrations and product recalls. Chris also represents clients in federal and local courts.
Chris has advised clients in numerous food safety and marketing matters domestically and internationally, including securing the registration and re-registration of chemicals in the United States, advising companies in obtaining and maintaining listing for crop protection products in the European Union, contracting with laboratories worldwide to develop data supporting the safety and use of food and chemical products and developing data licensing agreements.
In addition, Chris understands the requirements of the US National Organic Program (NOP), and also helps clients develop labeling and claims for foods and agricultural chemicals and establish appropriate chemical tolerances (maximum residue levels) in foods. He assists companies in addressing California Proposition 65 requirements as well as with crisis management matters. Additionally, he participates in due diligence activities associated with mergers and acquisitions involving food and chemical companies.
Credentials
Education
American University – Washington College of Law, JD, 1985
University of Notre Dame, BS, Chemical Engineering, 1981
University of Notre Dame, BA, 1981
Admissions
District of Columbia
New York
Virginia
