Atty. Sara M. Gaines
Sara Gaines advises domestic and international clients regarding global compliance with food additive and food packaging regulations, focusing on the United States (U.S.), the European Union (EU), South America (MERCOSUR), China, and Japan. In addition to her work assisting individual clients regarding requirements for food contact materials, Sara works with trade associations to monitor emerging issues facing the packaging industry globally and domestically at both the state and federal levels.
Profile Summary
About Sara M. Gaines at a glance
Sara M. Gaines is a Counsel based in Washington, District of Columbia, practicing at Keller and Heckman LLP. They have 13+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 2013. Their practice focuses on consumer. Admitted to practice in District of Columbia Virginia (2013). Educated at George Washington University Law School (J.D., 2012) and University of Miami (B.A., 2009). Active member of ABA, Memberships •American Bar Association. Serands clients in Washington, DC and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Sara Gaines advises domestic and international clients regarding global compliance with food additive and food packaging regulations, focusing on the United States (U.S.), the European Union (EU), South America (MERCOSUR), China, and Japan
- In addition to her work assisting individual clients regarding requirements for food contact materials, Sara works with trade associations to monitor emerging issues facing the packaging industry globally and domestically at both the state and federal levels
- Through engagement with government representatives and public interest groups, she develops strategic industry responses and initiatives that encourage packaging innovation and ensure the continued safety of the packaged food supply
- Prior to joining Keller and Heckman, Sara worked as an analytical chemistry technician at the U.S
- Horticultural Research Laboratory (USHRL), part of the U.S
- Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS)
- During her time at the USHRL, she gained extensive experience with chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques
- This background has been useful when working with clients to determine the appropriate data needed to support new food contact substance clearances
- While in law school, Sara was the Senior Notes Editor of The George Washington Journal of Energy and Environmental Law and a member of the Environmental Law Association and the Student Intellectual Property Law Association
- Representative Matters •Provided legal and educational support to industry trade association on U.S. federal, state, and global issues •Provided regulatory counsel and support on food contact matters for large coating manufacturer •Provided regulatory counsel and support to food processing equipment manufacturer •Monitored state laws aimed at specific packaging materials and/or components of packaging materials Insights & In the News Cosmetics Regulations Get a Makeover: Congress Enacts New Requirements Under MoCRA 01.10.2023 Publication Omnibus Bill for Fiscal Year 2023 (H.R. 2617) - Cosmetics Summary 12.22.2022 Publication Federal Court Upholds GRAS Rule 10.05.2021 Publication More Insights Best Law Firms Features Keller and Heckman in 2026 Edition Press Release 11.06.2025
Practice Areas Explained
Sara M. Gaines's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Sara M. Gaines handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Consumer protection attorneys for fraud, lemon law, debt harassment, and deceptive trade practices.
Sara M. Gaines is one of 50,607 consumer attorneys indexed nationally. Browse consumer attorneys in District of Columbia →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in District of Columbia
Practicing law in District of Columbia. Legal matters in District of Columbia are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Washington are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate District of Columbia state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in District of Columbia brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in District of Columbia courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional District of Columbia attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Washington or all attorneys in District of Columbia.
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