Consumer Goods | Speaker series
CLE webinars for consumer-focused companiesLegal Tools for a Rapidly Evolving Industry
DLA Piper’s Consumer Goods, Food, and Retail (CGFR) CLE series is designed for in-house counsel, business professionals, and executives seeking to navigate today’s complex regulatory and commercial landscape.
Our sessions feature DLA Piper’s global CGFR team—offering actionable guidance to help you anticipate legal risks, align with evolving standards, and implement strategies that support long-term growth and resilience.
If you'd like more information about our Consumer Goods Speaker Series, contact Maddie Line.
Upcoming webinar
Supply chain integrity
Managing interconnected risks across the consumer goods lifecycle
From sourcing and sustainability to transportation, trade, and product end-of-life obligations, decisions in one area can create downstream consequences that affect market access, brand value, and enterprise stability.
Our panel of DLA Piper lawyers will share practical, cross functional strategies to identify issues early in the lifecycle, mitigate risk areas, generate value, and build resilience.
Speakers: Kristy Balsanek, Christine Daya, Brian Wilmot, and Doug Lavey
Unconventional campaigns, conventional rules | Thursday, January 22, 2026
DLA Piper partners, Katherine Imp and Staci Trager, shared practical strategies for guerrilla tactics and fast-amplifying content.
- High‑impact, low‑budget tactics like building projections and experiential stunts remain powerful for reaching new audiences and driving organic virality through social sharing.
- Top campaign examples—Red Bull Stratos, Bottega Veneta’s paparazzi ads, the Fiji Water Girl moment, and viral dance challenges—show how authenticity and participation fuel buzz while raising issues around permissions, likeness rights, and IP.
- Core legal risks include permitting and public‑space regulations, public safety liability, false‑advertising exposure, unauthorized image capture, and copyright or choreography misuse—all especially relevant to teams planning public activations or social‑driven stunts.
- Vendor and contractor oversight is critical, as brands can be held liable for partners’ actions during unconventional campaigns.
- Best practices focus on safety, compliance, and clear creative governance, ensuring campaigns are culturally resonant, legally sound, and operationally controlled.
To learn more about how DLA Piper helps clients, explore our Intellectual Property and Media, Sports and Entertainment capabilities.
Previous webinars
December 18, 2025
The session explored how evolving public health priorities, regulatory actions, and litigation trends are reshaping the food and beverage industry’s approach to ultra-processed foods (UPFs).
Five Takeaways:
- Definition and Scope of UPFs Remain Unsettled: UPFs lack a clear federal definition. The NOVA system is widely cited but not universally adopted, making compliance and policy-making difficult.
- Regulatory Momentum Is Accelerating: Federal agencies are seeking input to create a uniform UPF definition, considering ingredients, processing, and nutrition. State actions like California and Texas add complexity.
- Litigation Risks Are Rising: Product liability, public nuisance, and deceptive marketing lawsuits are increasing for UPFs. The “dose makes the poison” principle is key in liability cases.
- Industry Faces Patchwork Compliance Challenges: Varied state rules and proposed federal reforms (e.g., GRAS changes, ingredient disclosures) complicate compliance for manufacturers and retailers.
- Proactive Risk Mitigation Is Essential: Companies should form cross-functional committees, track regulatory changes, review ingredient portfolios, and create clear communication strategies to reduce risks.
For more information about DLA Piper's Consumer Goods, Food and Retail capabilities, reach out to Maddie Line.
November 5, 2025
Perspectives on consumer protection from former Federal Trade Commission leaders
The webinar explored recent shifts in FTC consumer protection enforcement, emphasizing a return to case-by-case actions, increased reliance on economic analysis, and a renewed focus on issues directly impacting consumers’ financial well-being and privacy, especially for children.
Key actions
- Ensure compliance with current FTC rules and be ready for targeted investigations, especially around fraud, deceptive practices and “Made in USA” claims.
- Assess how your practices impact consumers financially, focusing on pricing, fees, and cancellations.
- Assess how you interact with children through advertising and digital products. Audit digital products for COPPA compliance, ensure transparent data handling, and monitor third-party integrations.
For more information about DLA Piper's Consumer Goods, Food and Retail capabilities, reach out to Maddie Line.
September 16, 2025
Mass arbitration poses significant financial and strategic challenges for consumer-focused companies, requiring tailored approaches to manage risks and costs.
Key actions
- Review and update arbitration agreements for enforceability and clarity.
- Implement individualized claimant procedures to reduce exposure.
- Select arbitration providers and rules that address mass arbitration risks.
To gain access to the recording of this conversation, reach out to Maddie Line.
