OFW Law News

OFW Benjamin England

OFW Law Combines with Benjamin England & Associates to Help Clients Navigate Complexities

Combination Aligns Firms with Complementary Food, Drug and Agriculture Practices Washington, DC – Two of the nation’s premier firms focusing on food, drugs, agriculture, and medical device clients are joining forces to help clients better navigate changing complexities in public policy, science, innovation, technology, and consumer preferences. Today, Olsson Frank Weeda Terman Matz PC (OFW …

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Marshall Matz headshot

OFW’s Marshall Matz Featured in Alumnus Spotlight

OFW Law’s senior counsel and former chairman Marshall Matz is featured in the University of Louisville, Louis D. Brandeis School of Law’s News honoring his remarkable career following his graduation from law school. OFW Law celebrates Marshall’s devotion to his clients and practices. We applaud Marshall’s service to the industry, and we are grateful for …

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John Dillard of OFW Law

Dillard Receives Purdue University Apex Award

OFW Law Principal John Dillard has received the 2022 Purdue University Department of Agricultural Economics Apex Award. The Apex Award is given to individuals associated with Purdue’s Agricultural Economics Department who have made outstanding accomplishments in their fields. The Apex Award is the highest honor bestowed by Purdue’s Agricultural Economics Department. In connection with the …

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OFW Law’s Ackerman Discusses AFIDA in Agri-Pulse

OFW Law’s Ken Ackerman was featured in an Agri-Pulse article discussing the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act (AFIDA). In the article, “While Foreign Purchases of US Land Surge, USDA’s Reporting Penalties Plunge,” Mr. Ackerman discussed his experience in representing clients on AFIDA matters. AFIDA is a law administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). Under …

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Mark Mansour Joins OFW

We are delighted to announce that Mark Mansour has joined OFW as Of Counsel, working principally with our FDA Food and Medical Device Practice groups. Mark has more than two decades of legal experience in advising on compliance, enforcement, and policy involving the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) medical device, food, and dietary supplement regulations, …

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OFW Law Lawyers Recognized in the 2023 Edition of Best Lawyers in America

OFW Law proudly congratulates three of our lawyers, Brett Schwemer (Managing Principal), Marshall Matz (Chairman), and Stephen Terman (Principal) for being recognized in the 29th edition of the Best Lawyers in America®. Mr. Schwemer and Mr. Terman are recognized for their high-caliber work in FDA Law. Mr. Matz was recognized for his high achievements in Agricultural …

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USDA Equity Commission Holds Initial Meeting: Will FNS’s Historic Discrimination Against Minority SNAP Retailers Finally Be Addressed?

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) provides nearly $2 trillion to expedite the United States’ recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. APR § 1006(a)(3) provided funding to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish an Equity Commission to address historical discrimination and equity issues within USDA and its programs.  Over …

USDA Equity Commission Holds Initial Meeting: Will FNS’s Historic Discrimination Against Minority SNAP Retailers Finally Be Addressed? Read More »

Statue of lady justice

OFW Law Adds Three Principal Attorneys to the Firm

The Principals of Olsson Frank Weeda Terman Matz (OFW Law) are pleased to announce the promotion of Kristen O’Brien, Mason Weeda and John Dillard to Principal Attorneys at the firm.  Kristen, Mason and John have all produced excellent work, and have demonstrated deep dedication and commitment to our clients.  We welcome them as Principal Attorneys, …

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Marshall Matz listens to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack

A Career of Service: Matz Awarded Lifetime Achievement Award by Congressional Hunger Center

This evening, the Congressional Hunger Center will present its 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award to Marshall Matz.  However, if you were to ask him, Marsh would tell you that receiving a “Lifetime Achievement Award” does not mean he’s done advocating for public policy to address pressing food security and nutrition challenges. Others, such as former Senate …

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Back From China

By former USDA Secretary John R. Block Hello everybody out there in farm country. This radio commentary is brought to you by the National Corn Growers Association, CropLife America, and Renewable Fuels Association. They are all friends, supporters, and allies of healthy farm economy and prosperous rural America. Thank you. And now for today’s commentary …

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Upcoming Webinar: Avoiding the Food Labeling Class Action Trap

The food and beverage industry is facing an unprecedented number of threats from class action cases alleging misleading labeling and advertising. Approximately two new lawsuits against manufacturers, distributors and retailers were filed each week in 2017! Dozens more food and beverage industry members received demand letters that threatened the commencement of such cases and demanded …

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Elderly man reading food product label

United Fresh and OFW Law Launch Legal Labeling Review Service

OFW Law has joined with the United Fresh Produce Association (UFPA) to provide members access to a legal review of product labels.  UFPA brings together companies across every segment of the fresh produce supply chain, including growers, shippers, fresh cut processors, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, foodservice operators, industry suppliers and allied associations. This new service was …

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Kristen O’Brien Joins OFW Law as Counsel in the Health Industry Policy and Regulatory Practice

Kristen O’Brien serves as Counsel in OFW Law’s Health Industry Policy and Regulatory Practice, which represents clients in the health care delivery system and innovative life sciences areas. She is principally responsible for the group’s work with health care delivery system clients, including large physician groups, integrated health systems and other provider organizations. She also …

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Lawyer shaking hands

OFW Founder Rick Frank Named Agriculture Lawyer of the Year by Finance Monthly

Washington, DC – Wednesday, August 30, 2017 – OFW Law is pleased to announce that one of its founding principals, Richard L. Frank, has been recognized as the Agriculture Lawyer of the Year in the 2017 edition of the Finance Monthly Global Awards.  Now entering its 9th year, the Finance Monthly Global Awards 2017 edition …

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Health care professional working on computer

OFW Law Launches New Health Industry Practice; Ladd Wiley Joins Firm as Principal and Chair of Practice

OFW Law is pleased to announce the creation of a new Health Industry Policy and Regulatory Practice.  The practice will be focused on government health program payment issues and FDA-related policy issues for clients in the health care delivery system and innovative life sciences areas. To provide leadership for this practice, OFW Law is also …

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Drone delivering first aid kit

OFW Law Supports Medical Device Innovators at the 2017 Rice Business Plan Competition

On April 8, 2017, Forest Devices, Inc. from Carnegie Mellon University was awarded OFW Law’s Regulatory Strategy Prize at the 2017 Rice Business Plan Competition in Houston, Texas.  Forest Devices bested 41 other competitors hailing from some of the world’s top universities in the overall competition, as well, earning about $700,000 in prize money. Forest …

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OFW’s Betsy Booren Recognized by The National Provisioner as “Future Icon” of Meat and Poultry Industry

As published in the November issue of The National Provisioner In the October issue, The National Provisioner honored 25 past icons who made their mark on industry since 1991. This month, to wrap up the magazine’s coverage of its 125th Anniversary, the editorial team decided to take on a bigger challenge: Select 25 individuals we expect …

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D.C. Circuit Orders OSHA to Follow Notice and Comment Requirements When Imposing New Standards on Agricultural Retailers

A fundamental principle of administrative law is that federal agencies must provide the public with reasonable notice and the opportunity to comment on proposed administrative issuances that impose substantive obligations that did not previously exist.  Not every agency issuance, including guidance and policy interpretations, rise to that level.  Whether agency action requires notice and comment …

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OFW Founder Rick Frank Named Best Lawyers® Washington DC Health Care Lawyer of the Year

Five OFW Law Attorneys Named to 2017 Best Lawyers in America for FDA Law One of OFW Law’s Founding Principals, Richard L. Frank, was recognized as the Health Care Lawyer of the Year in the 2017 Washington, D.C., edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Only a single attorney in each practice area and designated metropolitan …

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Dr. Betsy Booren Joins OFW Law as Senior Policy Advisor

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Betsy L. Booren, who specializes in food safety policy development and analysis, has joined OFW Law as Senior Policy Advisor.  Most recently, Dr. Booren served as Vice President of Scientific Affairs for the North American Meat Institute, where she represented and provided informed analysis for the majority of …

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Ken Ackerman’s Newest Book, TROTSKY IN NEW YORK, 1917, Set for Release in September 2016

This week, Counterpoint Press announced the release of the newest book by OFW Law’s own Ken Ackerman called TROTSKY IN NEW YORK, 1917: A Radical on the Eve of Revolution.   Far afield from agriculture and crop insurance — Ken’s usual specialties at OFW Law — this is Ken’s latest entry in a prolific writing career …

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Upcoming Webinar: Understanding the New DOL Overtime Rules

The Department of Labor (DOL) released the final rule updating the overtime regulations, which will automatically extend overtime pay protections to over 4 million workers within the first year of implementation. Starting on Dec. 1, 2016, the initial increases to the standard salary level and highly compensated employee total annual compensation requirement will go into …

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SNAP, Crackle, Pot! Kentucky Federal Court Holds FNS Cannot Deny a Retailer’s Food Stamp Authorization for Misdemeanor Marijuana Conviction

USDA’s Food & Nutrition Service (FNS) is authorized to administer the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (“SNAP”).  This $80 billion program, formerly known as the food stamp program, provides monthly supplemental nutrition benefits to more than 45 million Americans.  SNAP beneficiaries may redeem their monthly benefits at over 250,000 SNAP-authorized retailers across the country.   To participate …

SNAP, Crackle, Pot! Kentucky Federal Court Holds FNS Cannot Deny a Retailer’s Food Stamp Authorization for Misdemeanor Marijuana Conviction Read More »

OFW Law Trial Team Wins Five Hog Nuisance Cases in Indiana

Beginning in late 2009 and early 2010, attorneys Richard Hailey of Indianapolis, Charles Speer and Britt Bieri of Kansas City, and Richard Middleton brought five lawsuits based on negligence and nuisance in Randolph County, Indiana, on behalf of neighbors against Maxwell Farms of Indiana and several individual farmers.  The complaints stated that the basis for …

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Doom and Gloom Certified as Lead Instructors for FSCPA Preventive Controls for Human Food

Happy Holidays from OFW Law’s Dr. Barbara Masters, D.V.M., and Jolyda Swaim, A.K.A Dr. Doom and Ms. Gloom.  As 2016 approaches, it is time for many of you to start considering the need to comply with the mandatory training requirements for Qualified Individuals as part of the FDA Hazard Analysis, Risk-Based Preventive Controls regulation.  Dr. Doom and Ms. Gloom …

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OFW’s Bruce Silverglade to Participate at FDLI Food Advertising and Litigation Conference

OFW Law’s Bruce Silverglade will be a featured speaker at that Food and Drug Law Institute’s annual “Food Advertising and Litigation” conference on September 24, 2015, in Chicago, Illinois.  Mr. Silverglade will participate in a panel discussing “Advertising and Labeling Trends and the Next ‘Natural.’” The conference takes place against a backdrop of approximately 200 …

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Former Consumer Products Safety Commissioner Nancy Nord Joins OFW Law

We are pleased to announce that Nancy Nord, former Acting Chair of the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, has joined OFW Law as Of Counsel.  Nord is a nationally recognized expert on safety regulation and corporate compliance with a wealth of experience in both the public and private sectors. Please click the announcement, below, …

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May 19 Webinar on the Drug Supply Chain Security Act

Tish Eggleston Pahl will be speaking on May 19 at a webinar on dispenser obligations under the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA).  The webinar is sponsored by the Healthcare Distribution Management Association (HDMA).  This “DSCSA Overview for Dispensers” continues HDMA’s education and outreach on the pharmacy and hospital–related implementation requirements under the DSCSA.  Particular focus …

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The Drones are Coming! FAA Releases Proposed Rule on Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Mention the word “drone” and most people think of our nation’s military activities in the Middle East. However, over the last few years, unmanned aircraft is finding its way into new civilian applications. Small drones, which are also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS), when equipped with sophisticated cameras, can …

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OFW Law Launches FDA DevicEd Training Initiative

OFW Law is proud to announce the launch of its FDA DevicEd Training Initiative.  The initiative is devoted to providing high quality FDA regulatory training to foreign and domestic medical device companies and the advisors who assist them.  Interactive in-person seminars will be developed and presented by OFW Law attorneys specializing in FDA regulation of …

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