David Ettinger counsels multinational companies on food (with a unique emphasis on alternative proteins including plant- and cell-based foods) and food packaging, as well as consumer and tobacco-related products. He assists clients in navigating the import and export of goods to ensure compliance with regulations in the United States (U.S.), Europe, and Asia. David counsels companies in China and throughout Asia on matters ranging from ingredient and labeling to product seizure and detention, to food and consumer product recalls and consumer complaints.
David is the chief representative in Keller and Heckman’s Shanghai, China office and previously worked in the firm’s Washington, DC and Brussels offices. His global experience uniquely positions him to counsel foreign companies who need to navigate the regulatory landscape in Asia. To further enhance his and Keller and Heckman’s global capabilities, David is the Chair of Mackrell International, a global legal network of over 90 international, independent law firms. Mackrell International’s member base spans more than 60 countries, which provides Keller and Heckman clients with access to legal support in all major world markets. In addition, David is past Chair and current Vice Chair of the American Chamber of Commerce Shanghai’s (AmCham Shanghai) Food, Agriculture & Beverage Committee and serves as a moderator and presenter for many of its seminars and conferences.
David and his team in Shanghai publish China Regulatory Matters (CRM) and Asian Regulatory Matters (ARM), two e-newsletters that focus on regulatory updates in China and the rest of Asia. He is frequently invited to speak on international regulatory matters regarding food, food-related products, and tobacco-related products.
Prior to joining Keller and Heckman, David was a trademark attorney with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He has extensive trial experience as a former assistant district attorney in the Nassau County District Attorney's Office in New York, where he prosecuted felonies and misdemeanors. His advocacy skills are frequently used to defend companies before various international regulatory bodies and to help implement crisis management strategies.
Awards
•Chambers Greater China Region: Life Sciences (International Firms), 2017 - 2026
•The Best Lawyers in America: FDA Law, 2016 - 2024
Insights & In the News
From the Year of the Snake to the Year of the Horse: China’s Food Law Year-in-Review 2025
02.18.2026
Publication
Overview of Japan’s Amended Positive List for Synthetic Resins
02.11.2026
Publication
UAE Launches Major Strategic Push ?into Alternative Protein Market
01.21.2026
Publication
David Ettinger and Jenny Xin Li Co-Authored The World of Food Ingredients Article on Food...
In The News
02.27.2026
