Bridget E. Calhoun is a partner in the firm's Washington, D.C. office where she specializes in product risk management issues, consumer protection, and antitrust law. She has recently been named a "Rising Star" in Product Liability by Law360 and a Top Washington Lawyer "Young Gun" by the Washington Business Journal.
Product Risk Management
As co-chair of the Product Risk Management practice, Bridget handles "bet-the-company" government investigations and regulatory enforcement matters in the areas of consumer product safety and consumer protection for her clients. For example, in her advertising practice, Bridget most recently:
· Successfully challenged certain advertising claims before the National Advertising Division for Kaz USA, Inc., (Exergen Corp. (Exergen Temporal Thermometers), NAD case# 5296 (Mar. 2, 2011).)
· Convinced the FTC not to charge an individual in a false advertising investigation ultimately brought against a high profile dietary supplement manufacturer
· Negotiated a practical consent decree on behalf of an association in a false advertising investigation.
In addition to representing clients whose advertising and marketing practices are being investigated by the FTC or handling NAD challenges, Bridget also regularly advises clients on a full range of consumer protection issues with particular expertise in warranties, advertising, labeling and packaging, and regulatory compliance.
Bridget is also a leading CPSC practitioner who regularly defends companies before the Commission on issues ranging from allegations of failing to report a product safety issue to persuading the Commission to accept an appropriate recall or corrective action (or why no action is warranted). She works closely with manufacturers, distributors and retailers of consumer products, including children's products and toys, advising them on compliance with applicable regulatory requirements including all aspects of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA), such as lead and phthalates limits in children's products. She further advises clients to ensure that their labeling and marketing meets all applicable regulatory requirements, minimizes possible product liability risk and promotes consumer safety.
Bridget also works with clients across a broad range of products and industries to identify and analyze potential legal risks associated with new ventures or new products. She then helps them establish legal risk management protocols such as recall policies and early warning detection systems as well as other risk mitigation tools. She advises clients on using protective terms and conditions in contracting with suppliers and customers to mitigate liability exposure. In addition, Bridget regularly provides training seminars to clients on risk management techniques and issues as well as advertising and warranty compliance.
Some of the products on which Bridget has advised in her Product Risk Management practice include:
· air purifiers
· appliances, household and industrial
· automobiles
· baby teethers
· blankets
· booster seats
· carbon monoxide detectors
· child safety seats
· cleaning products
· cookware
· dietary supplements
· engineered stone countertops
· flame resistant mattress fabric
· hair products
· high chairs
· hammocks
· HVAC units
· fire and smoke escape hoods
· paint and primer thinner
· pool and spa chemicals
· propane heaters
· rubber mulch
· saws
· smoke detectors
· solid surface countertops
· stain repellants
· sports equipment
· stone care products
· strollers
· television sets
· thermometers
· toys
· welding blankets
Antitrust
Bridget's antitrust practice involves counseling and representing clients across a wide range of matters including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, cartel investigations and complex civil litigation. She has particular experience in counseling corporate clients on price discrimination and distribution law such as discount programs, exclusivity, aftermarket policies, and dealer relations. Bridget has represented clients in a number of industries, including telecommunications, transportation and chemicals. Some notable antitrust experience includes:
· Merger counseling and representation for a variety of clients including AT&T Inc. and E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company.
· Defense of an international airline in the air cargo industry in the multi-jurisdictional cartel investigations and follow-on multi-jurisdictional class action litigation.
· Defense of a major corporation in the coatings industry in relation to the grand jury cartel investigation and follow-on multi-jurisdictional class action litigation.
· Defense of a Class I railroad in civil Sherman Act Section 1 multi-jurisdictional class action litigation.
· Defense of a corporate client in a civil monopolization and restraint of trade case in federal court.
· Antitrust compliance audits and trainings for numerous clients.
In addition, Bridget contributes to the firm's pro bono practice with particular focus representing individuals seeking asylum through the immigration law process. She is also active in firm activities including membership on the Firm Life Committee and on the Steering Committee of the Women Attorneys' Network.
Bridget is an active member of the Antitrust Section of the ABA and serves as a Vice-Chair of its Privacy and Information Security Committee. She previously served as a Vice-Chair of its Transportation and Energy Industries Committee. She is a member of the Bars of the District of Columbia, Maryland, the District of Maryland and the Fourth Circuit. She received her A.B. in government and religion from Dartmouth College. She graduated Order of the Coif, earning her J.D. with honors from the University of Maryland School of Law, where she served as the Managing Editor of the Maryland Law Review.
Prior to joining Crowell & Moring, Bridget served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Walter E. Black, Jr. of the United States District Court for the District of Maryland.
Affiliations
Memberships
Antitrust Section of the American Bar Association
Vice Chair of the Privacy and Information Security Committee
Recognitions and Awards
Recognized by the National Diversity Council as a Most Powerful and Influential Woman (2010)
Named a "Rising Star" in Product Liability by Law360 (2010)
Named a Top Washington Lawyer "Young Gun" by the Washington Business Journal (2009)
Outstanding Woman of the Senior Class, Dartmouth College (1993)
Publications
· "Preparing for the Canadian Consumer Product Safety Act," Industry Week (June 13, 2011). Co-Authors: Bridget E. Calhoun and Laura J. Walther.
· "The CPSC Leaps Into China," Crowell & Moring's Retail Law Observer Blog (January 24, 2011). Co-Authors: Rebecca C. Baden, Bridget E. Calhoun and Natalia R. Medley.
· "CPSC Issues Draft Final Rule Establishing a Publicly-Available Product Safety Information Database," Crowell & Moring's Retail Law Observer Blog (November 2, 2010). Co-Authors: Bridget E. Calhoun, Jennifer G. Knight and Rebecca C. Baden.
· "The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act: Not Just for Kids," Products Liability - Andrews Litigation Reports, Vol. 20, Issue 8 (September 2009). Co-Authors: Bridget E. Calhoun, Lauren B. Patterson and Kathryn M. Johnson.
· "Complying With Tougher Lead Bans for Children's Products," Bloomberg's Health Law Report (January 2009). Co-Authors: Bridget E. Calhoun and Laura J. Walther.
· "Avoiding a Costly Recall," Industry Week.com (October 10, 2007). Author: Bridget E. Calhoun.
· "Exchanging Glances," The Global Competition Review (August/September 2007). Co-Authors: Kent A. Gardiner, Bridget E. Calhoun, Matthew F. Scarlato and Volker Soyez.
· Note: Dionne v. Mayor of Baltimore, "The Applicability of Administrative Claim Preclusion to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 Suits," 55 Md. L. Rev. 921 (1996). Author: Bridget E. Calhoun.
Alerts & Newsletters
· "CPSC Votes To Publish Requirements for Third Party Testing and Certification to the Mandatory Toy Safety Standard Effective January 1, 2012," (July 26, 2011). Contacts: Natalia R. Medley, Bridget E. Calhoun.
· "CPSC Votes to Lower Lead Content Ban for Children's Products to 100 ppm," Product Risk Management Alert (July 14, 2011). Contact: Bridget E. Calhoun.
· "Highlights from ICPHSO 2011," Product Risk Management Alert (March 4, 2011). Contacts: Bridget E. Calhoun, Natalia R. Medley.
· "CPSC Votes To Extend Stay of Certification and Third Party Testing Requirements For Total Lead Content In Certain Products, Including Children's Products," Product Risk Management Alert (February 2, 2011). Contacts: Bridget E. Calhoun, Natalia R. Medley, Rebecca C. Baden.
· "CPSC's Final Interpretive Rule Relating To The Public Database Published In The Federal Register Today," Product Risk Management Alert (December 9, 2010). Contacts: Bridget E. Calhoun, Natalia R. Medley, Lauren B. Patterson.
· "EPA to Expand Chemicals Testing for Endocrine Disruption," Product Risk Management Alert (November 16, 2010). Contacts: Warren Lehrenbaum, Bridget E. Calhoun.
· "The CPSC's Draft Final Rule Establishing a Publicly Available Product Safety Information Database Scheduled for Commission Vote on November 17," Product Risk Management Alert (October 19, 2010). Contacts: Bridget E. Calhoun, Jennifer G. Knight, Natalia R. Medley, Rebecca C. Baden.
· "CPSC Approves Final Rule Interpreting "Children's Product"," Product Risk Management Alert (October 7, 2010). Contacts: Bridget E. Calhoun, Natalia R. Medley.
· "FTC Announces Proposed Revisions To "Green Guides"," Product Risk Management Alert (October 6, 2010). Contacts: Bridget E. Calhoun, Natalia R. Medley.
· "CPSC Publishes Notice of Interpretive Rule for "Children's Product"; House Committee Expected to Consider CPSIA Amendment," Product Risk Management Alert (April 21, 2010). Contacts: Bridget E. Calhoun, Stephanie N. Daigle, Natalia R. Medley.
· "Daiso Agrees to $2.05 Million Civil Penalty In Connection With CPSC's Allegations That It Imported, Distributed and Sold Toys With Illegal Lead Content," Product Risk Management Alert (March 4, 2010). Contacts: Bridget E. Calhoun, Laura Jastrem Walther.
· "Highlights from ICPHSO 2010," Product Risk Management Alert (February 19, 2010). Contacts: Laura Jastrem Walther, Natalia R. Medley, Bridget E. Calhoun.
· "CPSC Votes To Extend Stay Of Certification and Third Party Testing Requirements For Certain Children's Products," Product Risk Management Alert (December 18, 2009). Contacts: Bridget E. Calhoun, Natalia R. Medley.
· "CPSC Unanimously Approves Policy Statement On Tracking Labels Requirement for Children's Products in Section 103(a) of the CPSIA," Product Risk Management Alert (July 22, 2009). Contacts: Bridget E. Calhoun, Natalia R. Medley.
· "No Stay of Enforcement of Tracking Labels Provision Issued," Product Risk Management Alert (May 15, 2009). Contacts: Bridget E. Calhoun, Natalia R. Medley, Monica M. Welt.
· "CPSC Changes Test Method, Standard Operating Procedure for Determining Lead in Paint and Other Similar Surface Coating To Permit Compositing," Product Risk Management Alert (April 29, 2009). Contacts: Bridget E. Calhoun, Natalia R. Medley.
· "Crowell & Moring Attorneys Attend International Consumer Products Symposium," Product Risk Management Alert (March 6, 2009). Contacts: Bridget E. Calhoun, Laura Jastrem Walther, Natalia R. Medley.
· "Complying with the CPSIA Phthalates Requirements: CPSC Seeks Public Input on Draft Guidance Document," Product Risk Management Alert (February 13, 2009). Contacts: Bridget E. Calhoun, Laura Jastrem Walther.
· "California's Retroactive Phthalates Ban Now Effective," Product Risk Management Alert (January 6, 2009). Contacts: Scott L. Winkelman, Bridget E. Calhoun, Natalia R. Medley.
· "CPSC General Counsel States that Phthalates Bans Do Not Apply Retroactively," Product Risk Management Alert (November 19, 2008). Contacts: Bridget E. Calhoun, Scott L. Winkelman, Natalia R. Medley.
· "Customs and CPSC Offer Benefits to Importers that Join New Import Safety Compliance Program," Product Risk Management Alert (November 14, 2008). Contacts: John B. Brew, Bridget E. Calhoun, Jennifer G. Knight.
· "Complying with the CPSIA Lead Limits: Guidance from the CPSC Staff," Product Risk Management Alert (November 12, 2008). Contacts: Bridget E. Calhoun, Laura Jastrem Walther, Natalia R. Medley.
· "CPSC Streamlined Rule on Certification," Product Risk Management Alert (November 12, 2008). Contacts: Bridget E. Calhoun, Natalia R. Medley.
· "Highlights from the CPSC's September 4, 2008 Consumer Product Safety Reform Legislation Public Meeting," Product Risk Management Alert (September 10, 2008). Contacts: Scott L. Winkelman, Bridget E. Calhoun, Natalia R. Medley.
· "CPSC Announces September 4th Public Meeting to Discuss Reform Legislation," Product Risk Management Alert (August 18, 2008). Contacts: Bridget E. Calhoun, Natalia R. Medley.
· "President Bush Signs into Law the "Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008"," Product Risk Management Alert (August 14, 2008). Contacts: Bridget E. Calhoun, Natalia R. Medley, Stephanie N. Daigle.
· "CPSC Reform Legislation Before President for Signing into Law," Product Risk Management Alert (August 8, 2008). Contacts: Bridget E. Calhoun, Stephanie N. Daigle.
· "The FTC Examines Green Claims for Textiles and Buildings," Antitrust Law Alert (July 24, 2008). Contact: Bridget E. Calhoun.
· "Nine West Steps into Leegin's Shoes: FTC Modifies 2000 Consent Order," Antitrust Law Alert (May 8, 2008). Contacts: Wm. Randolph Smith, Bridget E. Calhoun, Ryan C. Tisch.
· "Medical Device Lawsuit Watch - February 2008," Medical Device Lawsuit Watch (February 14, 2008). Contacts: Arthur N. Lerner, Robert L. Grabarek Jr., Scott L. Winkelman, Bridget E. Calhoun, Chandra Westergaard, Jennifer H. Burdman, Lauren Kim.
· "FTC Reaches Settlement With Major Weight-Control Pill Marketers," Antitrust Law Alert (January 5, 2007). Contacts: Robert A. Lipstein, Bridget E. Calhoun.
Speaking Engagements
· "Is California a Canary in the Coalmine? Emerging Trends and the Future of Chemical Regulation in California," Crowell & Moring webinar (January 24, 2012). Co-Speakers: Warren Lehrenbaum, Kevin C. Mayer and Bridget E. Calhoun.
· "Social Media and Advertising: Managing Your Reputation and Liability in the Age of Consumer Product Reviews, Astroturfing, and Blogger Endorsements," Crowell & Moring Product Risk Management Seminar (October 19, 2011). Moderators: Dina Epstein; Lauren Patterson. Panelists: Stacey Ferguson (Federal Trade Commission); Brian Falbo (Dell); Bridget Calhoun.
· "Global Consumer Product Safety: Strategic Issues in Compliance, Reporting and Negotiating with Multiple Product Safety Regimes," Crowell & Moring Product Risk Management Seminar (October 19, 2011). Moderator: Bridget Calhoun. Panelists: Marc Schoem (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission); Sean Beckstrom (Graco Children's Products); Laurent Ruessmann; Laura Walther.
· "Regulatory Trends Facing Retailers in the Areas of Consumer Products, Tax and Consumer Privacy," Association of Corporate Counsel Retail Webcast (September 28, 2011). Presenters: Gina Brickley Beredo, Greg Call, Bridget Calhoun, Josh Tzuker and Howard Weinman.
· "New FTC 'Green Guides' for Advertising," National Retail Federation (NRF) General Counsels Forum Winter Meeting 2011 (January 12, 2011). Speaker: Bridget Calhoun.
· "Introduction to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Consumer Product Safety Act, and the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008," American Bar Association, Section of Litigation, Inaugural Consumer Products Regional CLE Workshop, Washington, D.C. (September 2009). Panelist: Bridget E. Calhoun.
· "A Deep Dive into the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act: What Every Customs and QA Executive Needs to Know about CPSIA Provisions, Rules and Standards," ACI's National Forum on Imported Product Safety Compliance, Washington, D.C. (April 2009). Speaker: Bridget Calhoun.
· "Antitrust Update," ABA Corporate Counseling Committee (October 11, 2007). Presenters: Wm. Randolph Smith, Kent A. Gardiner, Jeane A. Thomas, Robert Lipstein, Christopher E. Ondeck, Bridget E. Calhoun, Daniel A. Sasse, Werner Berg and Thomas De Meese.