Client Services / Alcohol Regulatory & Distribution

Alcohol Regulatory & Distribution

Our Alcohol Regulatory & Distribution Group represents clients in federal, state and international matters concerning the licensing, production, taxation, transportation, distribution, labeling, advertising and marketing of alcohol beverages and non-beverage and industrial alcohol products.   The group combines the skill of professionals who dedicate their full-time practice to alcohol regulatory and distribution matters with the resource of dozens of top practitioners in almost every major legal field who possess experience representing alcohol beverage companies in their respective areas. 

Chambers USA has ranked McDermott as a tier one (highest ranking) national alcohol beverage practice for three years in a row.   Marc Sorini was highlighted as a "star performer", the only attorney in the alcohol practice category awarded this distinction by Chambers.

Our lawyers and staff are very active at the Alcohol & Tobacco Tax & Trade Bureau (TTB) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and are involved with the control authorities in almost every state. Our regulatory experience includes licensing and permitting, advertising, labeling, trade practices, product formulation, excise taxation and regulatory development. We also have extensive experience with the regulation of alcohol beverages by U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) and the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). Additionally, we possess a deep understanding of the regulation and distribution of alcohol for non-beverage uses.

The group's distribution practice represents supplier-tier companies in all aspects of alcohol beverage distribution. McDermott advises companies on structuring distribution systems, distribution contracting, e-commerce and import/export issues. When disputes arise, our extensive industry experience and the resources of the Firm's Distribution Practices and Strategies Group and Trial Department allow McDermott to deploy litigators with alcohol beverage distribution litigation experience from across our offices. We have engaged in distribution litigation in virtually all the largest U.S. state markets.

Additionally, we possess a deep understanding of the regulation and distribution of alcohol for non-beverage uses.

The group includes practitioners from many McDermott departments, who have developed a knowledge of the industry by representing alcohol beverage clients for many years. We also work seamlessly with consultants Charles Bacon and Jim McMonagle.

  • Our Antitrust and Competition Group has developed a deep cross-border understanding of the alcohol beverage industry.
  • The Firm's Corporate Department has handled many mergers and acquisitions involving supplier- and retail-tier companies.
  • Our Intellectual Property, Media and Technology Department has defended some of the most famous trademarks in the business.
  • Our OSHA, MSHA & Catastrophe Response Group is familiar with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) implications of alcohol beverage manufacturing operations.
  • The Tax Department advises on transfer pricing issues, assists on industry mergers and acquisitions, and has planned and executed corporate reorganizations for some of the industry's biggest names.
  • McDermott's Trial Department has represented alcohol beverage companies in a variety of commercial litigations as well as product liability and class action issues.

Contacts

Alcohol Regulatory & Distribution Client Services

McDermott Will & Emery

McDermott Will and Emery