Food & Beverages: Alcohol | USA

The GrayRobinson team handles high-quality work in a variety of areas, including regulatory compliance, licensing, distribution and promotion of alcohol. The team is noted for expertise advising clients on M&A, in particular in dealing with multijurisdictional transactions. Its strong bench of experts includes several former federal and state regulators. The team acts for clients at all tiers of the industry, ably handling matters for retailers and wholesale distributors as well as manufacturers and importers.

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman draws on significant capabilities in alcoholic beverage law when advising on regulatory investigations, commercial disputes and representing clients during negotiations with state and federal agencies. The team's expertise stretches to compliance, licensing and labeling issues for US-based and international clients, with additional strength in trademark and IP matters within the alcoholic beverage space. It represents an enviable roster of clients, including major companies that produce and distribute luxury alcohol brands.

Davis Wright Tremaine's nationwide practice offers expertise in connection with business transactions for corporate clients. Strengths include advising on federal and state policy issues, distribution and advertising of alcohol products, including tied-house regulations. Has notable additional competency in labeling compliance and trade practices matters. Offers further experience with regard to large-scale licensing projects for a range of clients in the retail and hospitality industries.

Holland & Knight assists clients on diverse regulatory matters and litigation, including governmental relations, trade compliance and enforcement actions. The team demonstrates expertise in emerging areas within the industry, such as digital media, events and smartphone applications. With noted strength in representing California-based wineries on the full spectrum of legal matters, including real estate transactions, zoning and environmental matters, the team is also recognized for assisting its clients on alcoholic beverage-related intellectual property matters.

McDermott Will & Emery has a talented team with prowess in an array of sophisticated alcohol law matters at both federal and state level. Its expertise includes advising high-profile clients on audits and investigations by regulatory bodies, in addition to working on legislative issues. The team demonstrates notable skill in handling complex litigation and transactions for national and international supplier-tier clients, as well as private equity firms and beverage companies.

Shutts & Bowen benefits from a distinguished team with significant experience advising clients on alcohol licensing matters and regulatory compliance. The practice acts for an impressive list of both international and domestic clients, with a number of notable clients in the hospitality and entertainment sectors. The group offers strength in handling contract disputes, IP issues and complex M&A in the alcohol beverage space. The team is also equipped to advise on distribution and importation issues.

Stoel Rives established practice with particular prowess in advising on liquor licensing and compliance. Its experience includes representing clients on advertising and distribution matters. The team demonstrates additional knowledge working with private equity funds on acquisitions and advising on M&A regulatory compliance. It is noted for representation of craft beer companies, wineries and vineyards in the Western US.

Adams and Reese fields a highly experienced team that advises breweries and distilleries on various alcohol regulatory issues, with a particular focus on its home state of Tennessee. It also acts for hospitality and entertainment clients and is well equipped to advise on alcohol sponsorships. The group has further experience of handling transactions in the alcoholic beverage sector.

Burr & Forman has a distinguished practice in the space. Its practitioners have notable experience of advising clients on M&A transactions, as well as complex licensing issues. The teams clients include entertainment organizations, restaurants and hotels.

Greenspoon Marder's team is recognized for its strong track record advising clients in the hospitality and restaurant sectors on a range of alcohol regulatory, permitting and licensing issues. The group has further experience of acting for notable national retailers.