Keller and Heckman Amongst Top Law Firms in The Legal 500 2025 EMEA Guide
Keller and Heckman has earned continued recognition within the 2025 edition of The Legal 500 Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) Guide amongst other leading law firms in the European Union (EU). The firm’s Brussels office received rankings within the EU Regulatory: Food, EU Regulatory: Privacy and Data Protection, and EU Regulatory: Chemicals categories, demonstrating the firm’s consistent growth in the EU market and commitment to supporting clients conducting business in the EU and globally.
The firm’s Food and Drug practice operating out of the Brussels, Belgium office is recommended for its “very specialised knowledge, solidity, comprehensiveness and efficiency,” as stated in the Guide, maintaining a Tier 2 ranking. Working with food and food packaging clients, the practice handles matters on an array of legal and regulatory issues, such as those related to European market entry for new and recycled products and the EU’s efforts to create and sustain the circular economy. Partner Rachida Semail leads the team with her vast experience in food-contact matters and is “highly visible in the small world of chemical regulations in Europe and beyond.” Partner Hazel O’Keeffe, named a “Next Generation Partner” for her recognition as a “very knowledgeable, efficient, and supporting partner,” works extensively on packaging issues as well, with a focus on sustainability. Partner Craig Simpson rounds out the team with his “deep knowledge of EU food case law.”
Peter Craddock, lead partner in the European Privacy, Data Protection and Digital Media practice, was also named a “Next Generation Partner” thanks to a combination of “impressive expertise of complex European privacy law issues with a strong technical understanding of how the industry works.” The practice continued to earn a Tier 3 ranking for their “organized and specialised” experience “in the ad tech industry that is not easy to find nowadays.”
Keller and Heckman also secured a Tier 3 ranking in the EU Regulatory: Chemicals category for the steadfast work of Partners Ales Bartl and Herb Estreicher in both the Environmental and Chemical Control practices. In addition to working on matters related to waste, pollution, and the circular economy, the team also has extensive experience in matters involving the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation, biocides, and fertilizers.
The Legal 500 evaluates law firms across more than 150 jurisdictions, providing a comprehensive analysis of firms’ strengths and capabilities. The rankings highlight firms that offer cutting-edge, innovative advice to corporate counsel. The Legal 500 research is based on feedback from clients, submissions from law firms, and interviews with leading private practice lawyers.
About Keller and Heckman
Keller and Heckman is an internationally renowned law firm with a broad practice in the areas of regulatory law, public policy, and litigation. From offices around the world, our attorneys represent global companies and trade associations servicing a range of industries, including food and food additives, tobacco and e-vapor, plastics, pesticides, industrial and specialty chemicals, consumer products, drugs and medical devices, transportation, and telecommunications. Keller and Heckman is a pioneer in the use of interdisciplinary approaches to problem-solving with an in-house scientific staff that works closely with the attorneys on matters of technical complexity.