Chip English
Partner
Chip English navigates and maximizes his clients' success as affected by governments. He focuses on practical advice with the goal of minimizing risk while valuing reward. This means understanding and finding a creative and legal way to the client's underlying goals where other lawyers might simply say "no." He thus concentrates his practice on complex commercial litigation and regulatory matters for business and trade association clients, especially in food and agriculture. He proudly has more than 25 years of experience in organic farming and processing regulation. Chip handles significant FDA recall and other food safety issues. He regularly advises clients on labeling issues and defends clients against class-action claims that products are mislabeled or misleading. Chip also focuses on constitutional matters involving the Commerce Clause, federal preemption, commercial speech, and the First Amendment.
Chip has represented clients before multiple state and federal agencies, especially including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets, and the California Department of Food and Agriculture where he has obtained numerous favorable rulings and results. He has also appeared successfully before the U.S. Supreme Court, in addition to arguing regularly before a number of trial and appellate courts.
Practice Highlights
Litigation
Hearings and rulemaking
Regulatory
Admitted to Practice
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District of Columbia, 1985
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Maryland, 1990
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Virginia, 1984
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U.S. Supreme Court, 1987
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U.S. Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit
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U.S. Court of Appeals, 3rd Circuit
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U.S. Court of Appeals, 4th Circuit
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U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit
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U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit
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U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
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U.S. District Court, District of Columbia
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U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia
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U.S. District Court, District of Maryland
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U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
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U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
Education
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J.D., University of Virginia School of Law, 1984
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B.S., Commerce, University of Virginia, 1981
Memberships & Affiliations
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- Agricultural Law Association
- Administrative Law Section; Litigation Section – American Bar Association
Professional Recognition
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- Named as one of "America's Leading Lawyers for Business" by Chambers USA in Food & Beverages: Regulatory & Litigation (Nationwide), 2022-2024
- Received the "The Edward J. Davis Diversity & Mentorship Award," Davis Wright Tremaine, 2019
- Selected to "Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers" in FDA and Administrative Law, Thomson Reuters, 2007, 2013-2017
Background
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- Principal, Ober|Kaler, Washington, D.C., 2008-2012; 1992-2000
- Partner, Thelen LLP, 2000-2008