Biography
Alan’s practice focuses on the wide range of regulatory issues the global agriculture, consumer product, and biotechnology industries face.
Practicing environmental law provides him with daily opportunities to use his legal skills and training to help clients overcome often extremely technical business and regulatory challenges in order to ensure compliance with applicable environmental requirements.
He advises numerous Forbes Global 2000 companies on the legal and regulatory requirements associated with both domestic and foreign production, and the import, export, and distribution of pesticides, industrial biocides, and treated commodities and products. In every matter, Alan strives to meet and exceed his clients’ expectations by providing them with the environmental legal analysis and solutions they need to achieve their objectives.
Alan’s practice includes all aspects of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) regulation of pesticides, including the manufacture, import, distribution, labeling, registration, and use of all types of consumer and agricultural pesticide products under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), with a special focus on antimicrobial pesticides and devices. As part of his FIFRA legal practice, Alan frequently supports the data rights objectives of Beveridge & Diamond’s pesticide clients; advises clients on EPA enforcement, audit, and voluntary self-disclosure matters; and prepares data licensing agreements, product distribution agreements, and other related contracts.
Beyond FIFRA, Alan advises pesticide manufacturers on issues arising under other relevant laws—including the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA); the Plant Protection Act (PPA); the Endangered Species Act (ESA); the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA); and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)—and provides guidance in connection with pesticide requirements and data protection issues in the European Union and other jurisdictions around the world. Alan also counsels clients on the regulation of antimicrobial, biocide, and biostimulant products under FIFRA and other regulatory regimes, as well as the coordinated regulation of genetically engineered plants, animals, and insects by EPA, the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
In addition, Alan advises clients on FDA’s regulation of manufacturers, importers, and distributors of food, food additives, and dietary supplements; USDA’s regulation of plant pests and biological control agents; and EPA’s regulation of ethanol, biodiesel, and other alternative fuel products. Alan also maintains the firm’s AgTech Resource Center, and the World Bank listed Alan as a "Local Expert" for enabling the business of agriculture in the United States in their 2019 report. He also performs pro bono work for the Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights Coalition (CAIR) on behalf of the firm.
Alan first joined B&D in 2003 as an Associate in the firm’s Washington, D.C., and Baltimore offices. Following his relocation to Israel in 2011, Alan continued to provide attorney consulting services to the firm and its clients from overseas while serving as a key link between and among producers, distributors, investors, and local counsel around the world. In Israel, Alan was also the founder and director of an extracurricular program providing local Jewish and Arab children with an opportunity to learn, interact, and speak together.
Education
- University of Maryland - College Park (B.A., 1999)
- English
- University of Maryland School of Law (J.D., with Honors, 2003)
- Certificate in Environmental Law
Bar Admissions
Court Admissions
- District of Columbia Court of Appeals
- Maryland Supreme Court
Professional Affiliations
- American Bar Association - Past Chair, Agricultural Management Committee
Community Involvement
Alan’s community involvement includes current service on the Board of Directors of Sustainable Israeli-Palestinian Projects (SIPP) and Solutions in Hometown Connections (SHC). He is also chair of the Olney Town Center Advisory Committee, a member of the Montgomery County Mid-County Citizens Advisory Board, and a volunteer with Olney HELP.
Honors & Awards
- The World Bank, "Local Expert" Enabling the Business of Agriculture in the United States (2019)
- The Legal 500, recognition in Environmental Regulatory Law (2019, 2021)
- Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll, High Honors Recognition (2022-2023)
Select Publications
"Adapting Federal Regulatory Approaches To Advances In Agricultural Biotechnology", 80 Md. L. Rev. Online 36 (2021).