- Washington, DC
- jdillard@ofwlaw.com
- (202) 518-6349
John Dillard draws on his extensive practical and legal experience to provide knowledgeable and effective regulatory and litigation counsel to OFW Law’s USDA- and FDA-regulated food and agriculture clients. He also serves as General Counsel to several trade associations in the food and agriculture sector.
USDA-FSIS Inspected Meat and Poultry
John counsels meat and poultry clients regulated by the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). John counsels clients in a variety of food safety and labeling matters, including:
- Guidance for meat and poultry manufacturers on inspection and enforcement matters arising under the Federal Meat Inspection Act, Poultry Products Inspection Act, and the Egg Products Inspection Act
- Representation in USDA-FSIS enforcement investigations as well as civil and criminal enforcement proceedings before USDA and federal courts
- Representation for meat and poultry manufacturers in responding to Notices of Suspension or Notices of Intended Enforcement
- Assistance with meat and poultry recalls for FSIS-regulated clients
- USDA FSIS label approval for meat and poultry products
- Labeling and advertising compliance for food manufacturers, restaurants, and retailers to reduce enforcement risk and consumer fraud exposure
Animal Feed and Pet Food Compliance
USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Matters
As a lawyer knowledgeable with USDA regulations, John supports clients USDA AMS-regulated issues. This includes:
- Compliance with the Packers and Stockyards Act for livestock dealers, stockyards, packers, and poultry processors
- Representation in AMS enforcement actions involving the Packers and Stockyards Act and National Organic Program
- Guidance on USDA’s National Organic Program regulations
- USDA meat grading and Process Verified Program compliance
Litigation
John also represents clients in litigation in state and federal civil matters and USDA administrative enforcement proceedings. He has litigated cases involving Clean Water Act disputes, livestock nuisance odor torts, Packers and Stockyards Act enforcement, Animal Welfare Act enforcement, biotech seed patenting, country-of-origin labeling requirements, and Native American agriculture. John also regularly serves as co-counsel in major food litigation to provide advise pertaining to FSIS and FDA regulations.
General Counsel
John also provides general counsel services to several food and agricultural trade associations. In this role, he provides advice on corporate governance, contract drafting and evaluation, antitrust, director fiduciary responsibilities, and employment matters.
Practice Areas
- Packers & Stockyards Act
- National Organic Program
- Cannabis
- PACA
- Trade Association
- Enforcement & Litigation
- Inspections
- USDA FSIS - Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products
- Feed and Pet Food
- Food Labeling & Advertisement
- Food Service, Restaurants & Retailers
- Food Recalls
- Customs & Import/Export Regulations
- Trade Policy & Regulations
- Checkoff Programs
- FDA Food Law and Food Safety
- Facility Registrations
- Due Diligence
- Advocacy & Public Policy
- Native American Issues
- Environmental Law
- APHIS Animal Welfare
- APHIS Animal Health
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Past Experience
- USDA Economist
- Agribusiness Consultant
- Beef and poultry production background
Credentials
Education
Purdue University - M.S., Agricultural Economics (2007)
Virginia Tech - B.S., Animal and Poultry Sciences, Agricultural and Applied Economics (2005)
Bar Admissions
District of Columbia
Court Admissions
U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court
Leadership & Community
John is an active member of the American Agricultural Law Association. He is also a prolific writer and speaker on legal and policy matters pertaining to food and agriculture. He writes a regular column for Farm Journal and National Provisioner.
John also serves on the Friends of the National Arboretum Board of Directors, a non-profit that supports the mission of the U.S. National Arboretum.
News & Insights
Small Businesses Face Reporting Obligations Under The U.S. Corporate Transparency Act
Beginning January 1, 2024, the U.S. Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) will expect a wide range of small companies to begin filing reports identifying “beneficial owners.”
How will FDA and USDA operate during a Government Shutdown?
Will we wake up to a federal government shutdown on October 1st? Many of the ingredients required for a shutdown are present. There may be
Dillard to Provide Webinar on USDA Meat and Poultry Labeling Requirements
OFW Law’s USDA Practice Head, John Dillard, will be providing a free webinar on USDA Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) regulatory requirements for labeling meat and