Steve Kluting Partner
- Office
- Grand Rapids
- Phone
- 616/336-6569
- Fax
- 616/336-7000
- sskluting@varnumlaw.com
- sskluting@varnumlaw...
- Download
- V-Card, Resume
- Assistant
- Jackie Fazekas, 616/336-6852
- Network
Corporate and Food Law Experience
Steve is a business attorney and a Certified HACCP Manager whose practice largely focuses on counseling FDA-regulated businesses - in particular, those companies in the food, beverage and dietary supplement industry – on their "day-to-day" and "bet the farm" business and regulatory matters, in particular:
- labeling and advertising compliance
- reporting and registration requirements under the "Reportable Food Registry" and "food facility registration" process
- importing and exporting food in the global marketplace
- food safety and food defense programs and training
- crisis prevention strategies, including preparing and assisting with the implementation of recall programs, inspection policies and compliance with FSMA
- effective crisis management, including misbranding lawsuits, government enforcement actions, PACA claims, and contamination events
- the "business of the food industry" – documenting and negotiating commercial relationships, structuring distribution systems or strategic partnerships, and minimizing liability exposure
Steve is committed to understanding the legal and business needs of his food business clients. Knowing that food safety is a top priority for his clients, Steve is a Certified HACCP Manager, trained in SQF and internal auditing; this perspective allows him to better serve his food business clients in dealing with developing their food safety and food defense programs, working through recall situations, mitigating against product liability risks, complying with regulatory and customer demands, and being competitive in the industry. Ultimately, Steve's experience with food laws and regulations, and with changing marketplace dynamics, supports his clients' business strategies and decision-making regarding legal risks.
Steve also has significant experience in distribution law, in particular providing counsel to clients regarding their distribution systems or franchising networks. He has assisted many clients in creating and terminating dealer, franchise and sales representative relationships and in resolving disputes among the parties to such arrangements.
Professional Activities
- Michigan Food Processors Association, member
- Michigan Agri-Business Association, member
- Midwest Food Processors Association, member
- Michigan Food Safety Alliance, member
- Michigan Food & Ag Protection and Defense Working Group, member
- Van Andel Global Trade Center, member
- Instructor, Michigan State University Institute for Food Laws & Regulations, U.S. Food Safety Regulation, FDA Inspections & Enforcement
- German-American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest - Michigan Chapter
Community Activities
- Board Member, Junior Achievement of the Michigan Great Lakes, Inc.
- Board Member, Edelweiss Club of Grand Rapids, Inc.
Speaking Engagements
- What Now: The Nuts & Bolts of Importing Produce from Overseas, May 2012
- Food Safety Requirements: What the Law Says, Michigan Agri-Business Association Winter Conference, January 2012
- Reportable Food Registry: What You Need To Know, HACCP training course hosted by Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center in December 2011
- Resources for Michigan's Food Industry, for the State of Michigan Agricultural Commission, December 2011
- Supply and Distribution Chain, Tax Opportunities, and Workers Compensation Issues for the Food Industry, Arthur J. Gallagher event, October 2011
- Food & Agribusiness Industry: Emerging Risks, Aon Risk Solutions seminar, June 2011
- Food Law 101, Making It In Michigan conference hosted by Michigan State University Product Center, October 2011
- Reportable Food Registry: What You Need To Know, Michigan Food & Agriculture Protection and Defense Working Group seminar, October 2011
- Resources for Michigan's Food Industry, Prepare for Export Success, Food Export- Midwest seminar, August 2011
- Food Safety Modernization Act: What You Need to Know, Michigan Food Processors Association Annual Meeting, June 2011
- How the Food Industry Should Prepare for New Recall Rules and Increased Inspections, Arthur J. Gallagher event, March 2011
- Food Safety Modernization Act: What You Need To Know, National Highbush Blueberry Council conference in February 2011
- Free Trade Agreements: How Michigan's Food Businesses Can Benefit, Global Opportunities for Michigan's Food Industry Conference hosted by Van Andel Global Trade Center in February 2010
See the monthly Food Processors Lunch & Learn topic at www.mifoodlaw.com or www.varnumlaw.com/news-events.
Education
-
Indiana University School of Law
Bloomington, Indiana
J.D., 2000 -
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
B.A., Economics and Political Science, 1996