ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS
Ronie Schmelz
Partner, K&L Gates
Ronie spent the first 25 years of her career at an international law firm, defending clients in complex litigation, including consumer class actions and disputes involving reinsurance, general commercial, real estate, and healthcare-related matters. During the second half of her career, she has committed herself to advising clients on litigation-avoidance strategies so they can confidently focus on building and operating their businesses in a manner that reduces the risk of regulatory oversight or consumer challenges. These strategies include implementing best practices for complying with regulations and standards enforced by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), other federal and state regulatory agencies, as well as the National Advertising Division (NAD), and ways to reduce exposure to consumer class actions. Ronie advises clients on a myriad of topics – including the implementation of recall procedures and responding to FDA Warning Letters, Notices of Action, and MedWatch Adverse Event Reports – and she defends clients in nationwide consumer class actions.
Ronie has deep industry knowledge and extensive experience advising clients in the consumer product industry, particularly those that manufacture cosmetics, skin and hair care products, dietary supplements, and household goods. Along with her experienced team of K&L Gates attorneys, Ronie counsels companies on compliance with the Federal Packaging and Labeling Act, California Proposition 65, the marketing of CBD and hemp products under the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 (the Farm Bill), and other federal and state consumer protection, advertising, and unfair business practices laws. Ronie and her team also draft and negotiate vendor and corporate agreements and manage domestic and international intellectual property rights, helping clients achieve good business hygiene by ensuring that proper contracts and IP protections are in place.
A leader in the cosmetics industry, Ronie serves on the Board of the Independent Beauty Association (IBA) and as legal counsel to the executive board of Beauty Industry West (BIW). She also frequently speaks at industry events, including Cosmoprof North America and Bologna, Natural Products Association (NPA), California and New York Society of Cosmetic Chemists Suppliers’ Day, and American Conference Institute. She has taught a course on Advertising Law at Loyola Marymount University Law School, UCLA Extension, and the Fashion Institute of Design & Management (FIDM). Ronie also provides added value to client relationships by conducting educational in-house regulatory training sessions.
Avril Love
Partner, K&L Gates
Avril specializes in regulatory compliance and litigation avoidance for the beauty industry. With extensive experience advising clients on navigating complex regulatory landscapes, Avril provides strategic guidance to achieve balanced compliance while fostering innovation and minimizing risk. Her expertise in FDA and FTC regulatory compliance, combined with years of litigation experience, makes her a trusted advisor for companies seeking to navigate the evolving regulatory environment.
