Rich has a national reputation for successfully representing businesses in complex litigation and consumer class action lawsuits in state and federal courts throughout the United States.
He regularly defends companies in the food, pet food, beverage, dietary supplement, cannabis, and consumer products industries in labeling and advertising claims, class action consumer fraud actions, product liability lawsuits, mass and toxic tort litigation, and business disputes. Understanding and appreciating the costs, distractions, and potential reputational damage associated with litigation, Rich actively assists companies in mitigating their risks of litigation by advising them on litigation trends and regulatory compliance. Specifically, he advises clients on applicable federal, state and industry regulations, guidelines and standards, including those promulgated by the Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Federal Trade Commission and the Association of American Feed Control Officials. He also regularly advises clients on compliance with California’s Proposition 65, country of origin or so-called “Made-in-the-USA” claims, and recent state regulations governing PFAS in product packaging. Rich successfully argued before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on the applicability of California’s “Made-in-the-USA” labeling law. Rich also guides clients through the complexities associated with consumer and food product recalls.
Rich frequently speaks on consumer class action and product regulatory and product liability issues and has authored and co-authored several articles on class action litigation and product regulatory compliance, including compliance with Made-in-the-USA labeling laws.