William Cheek

Practice Areas

Alcohol and Hospitality, Government Relations - State and Local

Career

Often referenced as the go-to liquor lawyer in Tennessee, Will Cheek is a preeminent member of Adams and Reese's Alcohol and Hospitality practice. He counsels both local and national clients on licensing and regulatory compliance under Tennessee state and local liquor and beer laws. Will counsels distilleries, wineries, breweries and contract manufacturers on production, distribution and marketing, including complex federal and state issues.

Will is one of the leading experts in tied-house issues, in which members of one of the three tiers (manufacturer – wholesaler/distributor – retailer) are prohibited from having an ownership interest in a member of a different tier. Will’s understanding of state and federal tied-house laws has allowed him to assist clients in navigating these restrictions, including drafting special legislation, formations of distillery trusts, and special liquor licenses that allow for a variety of interests across the three tiers.

Will represents clients before the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission and local beer boards in licensing, enforcement actions and administrative hearings. Working in concert with Adams and Reese's Government Relations team, he drafts state and local liquor legislation and represents clients in state court actions challenging existing ordinances and statutes and regulations.

Will is a trusted legal adviser to startup businesses and emerging companies within a wide range of industries. As "on-call general counsel," Will plays a critical role in helping mom-and-pop and closely held companies accomplish growth and success. This representation ranges from Tailgate Brewery, a Nashville-based brewery adding taprooms across the state, to Kraft CPAs, one of Tennessee's largest independent accounting firms.

Will is a founding member of the Alliance of Alcohol Industry Attorneys and Consultants, and he serves as an advisory board member and legal counsel for the National Association of Licensing and Compliance Professionals.

Professional Memberships

National Conference of State Liquor Administrators; Alliance of Alcohol Industry Attorneys and Consultants, Founding Member; Lawyers Association for Women, Frequent Programming Co-Chair; National Association of Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Attorneys; National Association of Licensing and Compliance Professionals, Advisory Board Member and Legal Counsel; National Cannabis Bar Association; Tennessee Bar Association; Nashville Bar Association; Belmont University Center for Entrepreneurship Legal Clinic, Co-Founder; The Entrepreneur Center, Founding Angel Partner

Publications

Will regularly posts articles covering Tennessee-related alcohol, restaurant and hospitality news in his blog Last Call.

Personal

Metro Nashville Arts Commission, Secretary and Commissioner; Tennessee State Fair Association, Board of Directors; Tennessee History for Kids, Board of Directors; Conexion Americas, Legal Counsel; Family Council at Cheekwood, Founding Member; Leadership Music, Legal Counsel; Leadership Nashville, Class of 2007; Nashville Originals, Legal Counsel; Nashville Pride, Legal Counsel; Belcourt Theatre, Legal Counsel; Former Chair and Founding Member, Board of Directors; Non-Profit Management, Legal Counsel; Former Board Chair; Children’s House of Nashville, Former Board of Directors; Community Resource Center, Former Board President