Greenwashing Under Scrutiny: Navigating Legal Risks in Environmental Claims (Presented by the Federal Bar Association Annual Meeting & Convention 2025 sponsor: Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP)

Moderator, Sheila Niaz, Associate | Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP

Sheila Niaz’s practice spans intellectual property law and product liability and consumer disputes. Her dual focus enables her to provide comprehensive counsel to clients, particularly in cases where product liability intersects with intellectual property concerns. Focusing on patent prosecution and litigation, Sheila leverages her background as a former software engineer to handle cutting-edge technologies including machine learning, IoT devices, blockchain and fintech. She has extensive experience in patent litigation before various courts and the USPTO’s Patent Trial and Appeal Board. In product liability and consumer disputes,

Sheila represents clients in complex litigation matters, helping to defend against claims related to product defects, consumer fraud and regulatory compliance. This work involves analyzing technical specifications, collaborating with expert witnesses and developing strategic defenses. Sheila also advises on risk management strategies to help clients mitigate potential liabilities while protecting their innovations. Sheila previously served as a law clerk to the Honorable Wilhelmina M. Wright, United States District Court Judge for the District of Minnesota, and the Honorable Patrick J. Schiltz, United States District Court Chief Judge for the District of Minnesota. She is actively involved in pro bono work, which includes providing legal services to entrepreneurs and inventors from underserved communities, representing individuals in housing court, serving as a special assistant public defender and volunteering to help domestic abuse victims.

Felicia Boyd, Partner, Head of Brands | Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP

Felicia Boyd is a Chambers ranked litigator with extensive experience as a leader in complex IP disputes involving patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade dress—both in and out of court—spanning a diverse array of industries, including financial and investment services, medical devices (such as pacemakers, heart valves, defibrillators and synchronization devices), software, music, pharmaceuticals and manufactured goods. With more than three decades of practice, she has obtained several victories as a litigator, including preliminary injunction motions, summary judgment motions, favorable settlements and jury verdicts at trial.

Felicia has significant experience with complex case management and the coordination of global discovery efforts. She effectively designs and implements litigation strategies consistent with client objectives. She possesses exceptional oral and written communication skills with the ability to distill even the most complex challenges, issues and technologies down to critical points and action items, regardless of role as an advocate, arbitrator or mediator. Additionally, Felicia advises on Markman strategy, briefing and argument, and the selection and development of all experts. Notably, Felicia also serves as an arbitrator and mediator. She is a fellow of the CIArb (Chartered Institute of Arbitrators) and a member of LCIA (The London Court of International Arbitration), ArbitralWomen, and the complex commercial litigation panel and the consumer litigation panel of the American Arbitration Association.

Additionally, she is a Senior Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, The Trial Lawyer Honorary Society and a member of the Trial Law Institute and Diversity Law Institute. Felicia manages global trademark portfolios for clients in various industries, including nearly three decades of work for a Fortune 50 financial institution, and she excels in her ability as an arbitrator and mediator, possessing hard-earned people skills and the capacity to see beyond adversity. Felicia provides strategic counseling and contract drafting and analysis for licensing, acquisitions, transfers, trademark clearance and patent validity and infringement assessments. Felicia is admitted to the State Bar of Minnesota, US Patent and Trademark Office, US District Court for the District of Minnesota, US District Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

I. Greenwashing and Common Claim Types (e.g., vague, exaggerated, or unsubstantiated claims) | 2:00pm – 2:10pm

II. Legal Frameworks: FTC Act, Lanham Act, State UDAP Statutes, and FTC Green Guides | 2:10pm – 2:25pm

III. Recent Litigation Trends and Enforcement Actions (e.g., Coca-Cola, JBS, Exxon) | 2:25pm – 2:40pm

IV. Risk Mitigation Strategies: Substantiation, Disclaimers, and Messaging Best Practices | 2:40pm – 2:50pm

V. Hypotheticals + Practical Tips for In-House Counsel and Outside Advisors | 2:50pm – 3:00pm