Kelley Drye & Warren LLP advises clients across the US on state and federal consumer class actions involving advertising and labelling claims, pricing issues and deceptive trade practices. The firm is well-known for its work on NAD challenges, both bringing and defending claims on behalf of clients. John Villafranco sits in Washington D.C. and is the go-to for NAD issues and has represented clients in claims involving native advertising, consumer fraud, social media influencers and online reviews. The class actions practice is led by Lauri Mazzuchetti in New Jersey and Becca Wahlquist who handles commercial litigation from Los Angeles. Donnelly McDowell leads the advertising and marketing team in Washington D.C. and is well-versed in consumer protection law and advertising law.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘John Villafranco excels at simplifying complex issues and cutting away unnecessary fluff. His focus on what's important instead of taking a kitchen sink approach increases his credibility when he appears before us.’
‘The Kelley Drye & Warren team includes a deep bench of attorneys with sophisticated understanding of legal requirements and policy hot buttons in the advertising and marketing arena. This makes them well-positioned to provide strategic advice both looking forward and when needed for a defensive posture.’
‘John Villafranco and Donnelly McDowell's many years of experience combined with their knowledge of current business and policy developments and trends combine to create savvy lawyering.'
‘I am familiar with John Villafranco and his team at Kelley Drye & Warren as an occasional adversary in NAD cases, and as a co-committee member in advertising law committees and groups. John and his team are very well-respected in the advertising law bar for their experience, skills and knowledge.’
‘John Villafranco is a highly respected members of the ad law bar, particularly for disputes. He is a fierce adversary. Smart and effective.’
‘Kelley Drye & Warren is known for its federal regulatory prowess and has more recently built out a strong state Attorney General practice.’
Key clients
- Quincy Bioscience
- Kohl’s
- Nestlé USA
- Crocs
- Dish Network
- Kimberly Clark
- Take-Two Interactive Software
- Verizon
- Michael Kors
- Kimberly Clark
Work highlights
Represented Verizon in defending and advancing advertising claims, winning an appellate NAD challenge against AT&T over the company’s 'Learn how everyone gets iPhone 16 Pro on us' ads.
Represented Garden of Life, LLC in Johnston v. Garden of Life, LLC and Paige Vasseur v. Garden of Life LLC, two consumer class action lawsuits.
Represented CVS in Brooks et al. v. CVS Health Corporation et al., a consumer class action filed in the Northern District of California.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Practice head
Lauri Mazzuchetti; Becca Wahlquist; Donnelly McDowell
Other key lawyers
John Villafranco