A member of Venable’s regulatory group, Ilene Ringel Heller has significant experience in food and drug regulation, evaluating claims and determining whether they are properly substantiated. She focuses her practice on food labeling, functional foods and dietary supplements. Through her experience, Ms. Heller offers a unique perspective that clients find informative and necessary as they navigate complex regulatory issues facing the food and dietary supplement industry.

Prior to joining Venable, Ms. Heller spent over 14 years with the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) where she rose to associate director of legal affairs. At CSPI, Ms. Heller engaged in legislative and administrative advocacy and represented the organization before the Food & Drug Administration and other federal agencies and industry groups, such as the Food & Drug Law Institute. She co-authored a ground-breaking report, Food Labeling Chaos: The Case for Reform. She also orchestrated and made a presentation at a meeting between the White House Domestic Policy Council and a coalition of major health and consumer groups on food labeling reform issues and, at the request of the Domestic Policy Council, developed a blueprint for regulatory reform.

Earlier in her career, Ms. Heller worked in private practice advising clients on product planning and compliance with applicable statutes and regulations in the food, drug and medical device industries. She also worked as a staff reporter for the Legal Times of Washington, investigating developments involving the Federal Trade Commission, the Antitrust Division of the Justice Department, the Federal Reserve Board, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Commerce Department, and the Office of Special Trade Representative. Ms. Heller wrote detailed analyses of court decisions, government regulations, legislative controversies and emerging legal trends.

Activities