ATLANTA – May 3, 2019 – Sara K. Thompson and Will Wagner of global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP participated as featured speakers at the Personal Care Products Council’s Legal & Regulatory Conference, May 1-3, 2019, in San Antonio, Texas. Greenberg Traurig also served as sponsor of the conference’s opening night reception.
Thompson—vice chair of the Pharmaceutical, Medical Device & Health Care Litigation Practice and a shareholder in the firm’s Atlanta office—presented on “The Perks and Pitfalls of Increased FDA Oversight: Lessons from the Pharmaceutical Industry.” She discussed how proposed legislation that would reform the regulatory scheme for the Personal Care Products industry may impact the industry based on how similar regulatory oversight has impacted the pharmaceutical industry. She also provided strategies for accentuating the positive aspects and minimizing the negative aspects of the potential regulatory changes.
Wagner, an associate in the Sacramento office and member of the Proposition 65 Green Chemistry Practice, participated as a panelist in a session titled “State of the States,” which examined Congress’ continual legislative gridlock and how many states have stepped in to fill the vacuum on consumer protection, health and wellness, and similar issues. He spoke in particular on the status of Proposition 65 in California.
The Personal Care Products Council, according to its website, is “the leading national trade association representing cosmetic and personal care products companies and serving as the voice on scientific, legal, regulatory, legislative and international issues for the $250 billion global industry. PCPC’s 600-member companies represent more than 90 percent of the U.S. beauty industry and are some of the most beloved brands in beauty and personal care today. They manufacture, distribute, and supply the vast majority of personal care products marketed in the U.S. and are global leaders committed to product safety, quality, and innovation.”
Thompson, a regular speaker at the event, concentrates her practice on defense of products liability litigation, with an emphasis on representing manufacturers of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, cosmetics and other consumer products in state and federal courts nationwide. She also defends class action and consumer litigation involving personal care products, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Thompson counsels manufacturers regarding review and drafting of appropriate warning language for product labeling, recalls and reporting, Consumer Products Safety Commission recalls and compliance, and other pre-litigation matters. She was part of the team that received The American Lawyer’s “Products Liability Litigation Department of the Year” for 2018, and she is listed in Super Lawyers magazine, Georgia Super Lawyers in Products Liability Defense for 2017-2019.
Wagner focuses his practice in the areas of government and regulatory litigation, including California’s unique Proposition 65, and consumer product defense. He counsels clients on a variety of compliance issues including Proposition 65 matters involving California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), California and federal laws regarding formaldehyde in composite wood products, and various other consumer product regulations.
About Greenberg Traurig’s Pharmaceutical, Medical Device & Health Care Litigation Practice: The Pharmaceutical, Medical Device & Health Care Litigation Practice is an integral part of the firm’s 600-plus member national Litigation Practice. The team is nationally recognized for its dynamic courtroom presence, responsiveness to clients, and deep subject matter knowledge. Recent recognitions include national rankings for 2018 “Litigation Department of the Year” for Product Liability from The American Lawyer; 2017 “Products Liability & Mass Torts” from Chambers USA Guide; national rankings for 2017 “Practice Liability & Mass Torts Defense: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices” from The Legal 500 United States; and being named the Products Liability/Mass Torts Litigation Department of the Year by The Daily Report in 2013 and 2015 - 2017. In addition, Greenberg Traurig is recognized as a “Product Liability Litigation Standout” in the BTI Litigation Outlook 2018 published by BTI Consulting Group.
About Greenberg Traurig’s Prop 65 & Green Chemistry Group: Greenberg Traurig’s Proposition 65 & Green Chemistry Group provides advocacy to clients as they navigate the legal, regulatory and technical aspects of Proposition 65. The team combines Proposition 65 litigators with regulatory lawyers and public policy advocates, providing clients with a unique bench of experience from which to draw in any circumstance. The team also includes individuals with years of experience working with government officials in California, including the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), the Attorney General's Office, and the Governor's Office, in addition to the many consultants who interpret the science used in litigation and the chemical listing process.
About Greenberg Traurig, LLP: Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT) has more than 2,000 attorneys in 39 offices in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. GT has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, diversity, and innovation, and is consistently among the largest firms in the U.S. on the Law360 400 and among the Top 20 on the Am Law Global 100. Web: www.gtlaw.com Twitter: @GT_Law.