Clausen Ely Jr.

Clausen Ely is senior counsel in the firm’s Washington, DC office. His practice focuses on food and drug law, pesticide regulation, and representation of trade associations. He has substantial experience representing clients with respect to FDA and FTC regulation of labeling and advertising claims, approval of food additives and food contact materials, and regulation of antimicrobial products and food derived from biotechnology. He represents a number of food industry trade associations, as well as food, food additive and pesticide manufacturers. He has been counsel in cases involving protection of consumer product trade secrets, First Amendment protection of commercial speech, and federal preemption of state and local consumer product labeling requirements.

Representative Matters

• Regulatory counsel with respect to Starlink corn matter.
• Counsel in successful challenge to Massachusetts law requiring public disclosure of tobacco product formulas.
• Representation of canned tuna industry in successful preemption challenge to California consumer warning requirement.

Honors and Rankings

• Chambers USA, Food & Beverages (2007-2013)

Publications and Speeches

• "FDA Issues Draft Guidance on the Use of Nanotechnology in Manufacturing of Food Substances and Cosmetic Products," Covington E-Alert (4/24/2012), Co-Author
• "FDA Issues New Dietary Ingredient Notification Draft Guidance," Covington E-Alert (7/6/2011), Co-Author
• "EPA Proposes to Require Pesticide Product Registrants to Report the Presence of Nanoscale Materials in Their Products," Covington E-Alert (6/23/2011), Co-Author