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Angela Diesch, formerly Managing Partner of the law firm Diesch Law Group, is now a partner with Amin Talati Wasserman, LLP.

Visit Amin Talati Wasserman’s website here.

We are focused on the industries of food and beverages, nutritional supplements, cosmetics, medical devices and pharmaceuticals. We provide full legal services for the lifecycle of products aimed at improving the population’s health and wellness.

Amin Talati Wasserman has gained a strong reputation for its work at the cutting edge of food, drug (FDA), advertising (FTC) and intellectual property (IP) laws, responding nimbly to rapid changes in the regulatory climate and market place. We work with some of the most innovative products in this sphere, such as raw juices, allergy-free foods, botanical drugs, cosmeceuticals and hemp products. We counsel on regulatory compliance and risk-analysis, product development, as well as on trademark and patent protection.

In addition to guiding our clients through the strategic development of new products through regulatory approvals to the marketplace, we advise on all post-launch processes as well to ensure labeling, advertising, safety and manufacturing compliance requirements. We counsel on recalls, consumer false advertising class actions, trademark and patent infringement disputes, FDA, FTC and State AG government investigations, commercial (breach of contract) litigation, unfair competition, Proposition 65, National Advertising Division and Consumer Product Safety Commission matters. We also provide IP and compliance due diligence assessments in mergers/acquisitions and guide companies on IP freedom-to-operate opinions.

Visit Angela’s Profile on Amin Talati’s website here.

Angela provides regulatory and business services primarily in the cosmetic industry. She helps cosmetic and OTC drug companies ensure compliance with the rules and regulations enforced by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Federal Trade Commission and other regulatory agencies, as well as with California state law. Angela also prepares a wide range of business documents for industry members, including manufacturing, supply and distribution agreements.

Angela’s unique focus in the natural and organic sectors includes extensive experience assisting with product packaging and labeling issues, certification and resolution of disputes regarding compliance with the National Organic Program (NOP) and California Organic Products Act (COPA), as well as defending companies from both governmental agencies and private litigants in class action litigation matters.

Cosmetic, OTC Drug, Food & Agriculture

Compliance with the federal Food, Drug, & Cosmetic Act and its implementing regulations
Compliance with Fair Packaging and Labeling Act
Compliance with FTC regulations
Compliance with the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA), National Organic Program (NOP) and the California Organic Products Act (COPA)
Reviewing labeling, advertising, and marketing materials to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal statutes and regulations
Advising companies about introduction and proper classification of products in the U.S. marketplace
Assisting companies with the decision to initiate voluntary recalls and facilitating communication with the FDA
Preparing and reviewing business documents, including non-disclosure agreements, manufacturing, distribution, supply, and employment agreements
Product label review for compliance with OTC Monographs
Litigation defense in matters involving:
- Products liability and toxic tort claims
- False advertising claims
- Unfair competition claims
- Slack-fill claims
- Lanham Act
- Consumer Legal Remedies Act
- California Organic Products Act (COPA)
- General commercial litigation including breach of contract
- Trademark infringement and trade dress

Representative Matters

Defending multiple cosmetics manufacturers in putative class action lawsuits regarding various “natural” claims on cosmetic products.
Defended cosmetic manufacturer against deceptive business practices and false advertising claims regarding “all natural” claim on cosmetic products. Successfully negotiated a settlement for nationwide class relief that involved injunctive relief to the class with minimal payment of attorneys’ fees.
Defended organic producer in class action alleging unfair competition claim regarding use of organic claims on labeling.
Defended large cosmetic company against competitor alleging unfair competition claims and Lanham Act claims regarding use of the phrase “100% organic.”
Reviewed product labeling for multiple large and small cosmetic companies for compliance with Food & Drug Administration (FDA) regulations and U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) organic laws, and provided advice regarding “natural,” “sustainable,” and anti-aging claims on packaging.
Advised multiple cosmetic companies regarding transitioning from cosmetic to OTC drug manufacturing and labeling.
Represented organic growers before the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).
Represented organic growers in dispute between grower and third party certifier
Defended cosmetics companies against alleged slack-fill violations brought by individuals and California district attorneys.

Professional Activities & Affiliations

Chair, NSF International’s Joint Committee on GMP Cosmetics / Personal Care Products (NSF/ANSI 455-3 standard)
Chair, NSF International’s Joint Committee on Organic Personal Care (NSF/ANSI 305 standard)
Advisory Board Member, Natural and Organics Health and Beauty Alliance
Board Member, Sacramento County Bar Association, Diversity Fellowship Program (2010-2014)
Member, American Bar Association
Volunteer, California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. (2007)
Volunteer, Yolo County Court Appointed Special Advocates, Inc. (2000-2003)

Articles & Publications

Quoted, “Navigating the Personal Care Products Safety Act“, CosmeticsDesign.com, April 27, 2015
Quoted, “Slack fill: How Much is Too Much?”, CosmeticsDesign.com, October 15, 2014
Quoted, “Sunscreen Innovation Act Looks Set for Approval,” CosmeticsDesign.com, September 29, 2014
Author, “Hain’s Legal Battles Offer Class Action Defense Strategies,” The National Law Review, July 15, 2014
Author, “FDA Warns of Rare but Potentially Severe Side Effects in Acne Drug Products,” The National Law Review, July 2, 2014
Author, “FDA Issues Guidance for Safety of Nanomaterials in Cosmetic Products (as well as in Food),” The National Law Review, July 2, 2014
Quoted, “What the New FDA Guidance on Nanomaterials Means for Cosmetic Players,” CosmeticsDesign.com, July 2, 2014
Quoted, “Personal Care Lawyer Says FDA Warning on Acne Products Spells Audit Time,” CosmeticsDesign.com, July 1, 2014
Interviewed, “Cosmetics Lawyer Points Out the Pitfalls to Green Marketing,” CosmeticsDesign.com, May 8, 2014
Author, “Tom’s of Maine Hit with ‘Natural’ Lawsuit,” The National Law Review, March 21, 2014
Quoted, “FDA Ups the Ante on Imported Anti-Aging Skin Care Products,” CosmeticsDesign.com, March 10, 2014
Co-Author, “The Year in Calif. Employment Law: What to Know for 2014,” Law360, December 11, 2013
Quoted, “FDA Warning Letter Focus on Unintentional Drug Claims for Cosmetics,” CosmeticsDesign.com, July 25, 2013
Quoted, “EU Ban Helpful or Hindering?” SupplySide Cosmetics Insights, March 2013
Co-Author, “Sunscreen Label and Performance Compliance,” SupplySide Cosmetics Insights, January 2013
Author, “Is Your Makeup Also Skin Care? Are You Sure?” SupplySide Cosmetics Insights, October 2012
Author, “Northern District of CA Rules USDA Has Primary Jurisdiction Over ‘Organic’ Cosmetic Claims,” Inside Cosmeceuticals Blog, August 8, 2012
Author, “Coping with COPA: CA’s Strict standards for Labeling Cosmetics ‘Organic’,” Inside Cosmeceuticals Blog, May 9, 2012

Presentations

Presenter, “Recycling Logos–a Global Overview,” IBA Regulatory Technical Forum, 2022
Presenter, “SB 312 THE COSMETIC FRAGRANCE & FLAVOR INGREDIENT RIGHT TO KNOW ACT OF 2020,” February 2022, watch the Webinar here.
Presenter, “Regulatory Insights: An around-the-world overview”, A Naturally Informed Virtual Conference, Nutri-Beauty: Mastering the Market, April 21-22, 2021
Panelist presenter, “Pushing the Limits on Claims”, Veeva Quality and Regulatory Summit 2020
Panelist presenter, “Convergence In Global RegulatoryRequirements Across Industries”, Veeva Quality and Regulatory Summit 2019
Speaker, “Greenwashing: FDA/FTC Investigations on the Rise – How to Safeguard Your Company” at Natural Products Expo West, March 11, 2017
Speaker, ” ‘Natural’ Where are we at?”, Organic Monitor’s Green Materials Masterclass, San Francisco, January 29, 2016
Webinar presenter, “HAIR LOSS: Does the technology exist to really beat it?”, CosmeticsdesignUSA, December 10, 2015
Speaker, “Substantiated Cosmetic Claims: Clarifying the Hard Evidence,” IQPC Global Cosmetics Compliance, Amsterdam, June 9, 2015
Speaker, “Impending Regulations: CARB & The Personal Care Products Safety Act. Where We Are & How Should Brands Be Prepared” California Society of Cosmetic Chemists Dinner, May 26, 2015
Speaker, “An Overview of EDD and Workers’ Compensation Audits for Domestic Referral Agencies,” California Coalition of Domenstic Referral Agencies, October 11, 2014
Speaker, “2014 Legal & Regulatory Outlook for Green Marketing,” Sustainable Cosmetics Summit, May 16, 2014
Speaker, “Current Status of Natural and Organic Cosmetic Claims,” Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) Webinar, October 29, 2013
Speaker, “Green Marketing Claims & Labeling: Pitfalls and Best-Practices,” Sustainable Cosmetics Summit, May 17, 2013
Speaker, “It Does What? Prove it! – The Growing Importance of Claim Substantiation up the Supply Chain,” SupplySide Marketplace: SupplySide Why, May 2, 2013
Speaker, “Marketing Claims for Natural Personal Care Products,” Natural Cosmetics Masterclass: Green Formulations, Organic Monitor, San Francisco, CA, January 24, 2013
Speaker, “Labor & Employment Update,” A CAPA-tol Idea: Invest in Yourself, 23rd Annual CAPA Educational Conference, Sacramento, CA, June 23, 2012
Panelist, “Organic Personal Care: COPA’s Impact,” Natural Products Expo West, Anaheim, CA, March 9, 2012