Two Washington area law firms with extensive experience in food, drugs and agriculture are combining forces.
Olsson Frank Weeda Terman Matz PC is expanding by bringing on Benjamin L. England & Associates.
“With addition of the BLEA team, OFW Law will have over 35 attorneys, policy advisers, regulatory advisers/specialists, trade lawyers and litigators, allowing the firm to meet a broader range of client needs in food, agriculture, cosmetics, dietary supplements, medical products, healthcare, and other highly regulated industries, both domestic and foreign,” OFW Law said in a news release.
“The combination of the two firms makes sense because it allows OFW Law to provide a legal and regulatory approach for clients that is integrated and internationally aware, which is critical to a regulated business’s success today due to emerging issues,” said Mason Weeda, OFW Law co-managing principal.
OFW provides advice, representation and advocacy “for clients regulated by FDA and USDA,” the firm said. Clients for which the firm is a registered lobbyist include the American Commodity Distribution Association, General Mills, Alliance for a Stronger FDA and the American Pistachio Growers.
“The addition of the BLEA’s depth of experience in customs and trade, Prop 65, and consumer litigation defense will be particularly helpful to OFW Law’s existing clients, and their team will further deepen our bench with respect to regulatory matters,” said Brett Schwemer, OFW Law co-managing principal.
Benjamin L. England describes itself as “an interdisciplinary federal and state regulatory practice focusing on industry sectors” regulated by FDA, USDA, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Drug Enforcement Administration, Customs, and state health and safety agencies.
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The firm regularly deals with EPA, the Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration “as we manage FDA-, USDA- and Customs-related issues,” according to the BLEA website.
“The combination of our two firms will give BLEA clients the benefit of OFW Law’s government relations team and the ability to add strategic policy advice,” Benjamin England said. “It will also strengthen our capabilities to provide compliance and enforcement advice to our FDA- and USDA-regulated clients.”
OFW Law, located in Washington, was founded in 1979. England started BLEA in 2008 after a 17-year career at FDA. The firm's home is Glen Burnie, Maryland.
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