WASHINGTON, D.C.-Susan K. Neely, president and chief executive officer of the American Beverage Association (ABA), today announced the appointment of Amy E. Hancock as Deputy General Counsel for the organization.

"Amy's extensive experience in antitrust, regulatory and litigation issues will be a tremendous asset to both the association and its member companies," Neely said. "We are pleased to have her join ABA's senior management team."

Prior to joining the association, Hancock was employed with McDermott Will & Emery from 1985 to 2011 in both the firm's Chicago and Washington, D.C. offices. At the firm, she counseled clients, including trade associations, regarding both antitrust and regulatory issues, such as consumer safety matters and deceptive advertising. Hancock also represented clients in a variety of federal and state court civil litigation matters, as well as before administrative agencies, including the Federal Trade Commission, in connection with both antitrust and consumer protection matters.

As ABA's deputy general counsel, Hancock will be responsible for advising ABA and its member companies on antitrust, regulatory and litigation issues affecting the beverage industry. The non-alcoholic beverage industry employs more than 208,000 people with a direct economic impact of more than $178.5 billion.

"I look forward to working inside an association representing such an iconic industry and advising its leadership and member companies on legal and regulatory issues," Hancock said.

Hancock's career accomplishments include working on the1990 antitrust case, United States v. Baker Hughes, in which the D.C. Circuit Court set a standard for establishing entry into a market as a defense in a merger challenge, and Omega Environmental v. Gilbarco, a Ninth Circuit case involving the legality of exclusive dealing arrangements.

Hancock earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri and a juris doctorate from Georgetown University Law Center. She is a member of the District of Columbia Bar Association and the American Bar Association Antitrust Section.

Hancock resides in Maryland with her husband, Christopher Weals, and their three children.

# # #

The American Beverage Association is the trade association representing the broad spectrum of companies that manufacture and distribute non-alcoholic beverages in the United States. For more information on ABA, please visit the association's Web site at www.ameribev.org or call the ABA media relations team at (202) 463-6770.