The alcohol industry is heavily regulated at both the state and federal levels, and it can be difficult for alcohol manufacturers, retail licensees, and distributors to navigate these laws and regulations without knowledgeable counsel.
Supporting Hospitality Business Cycles from Start-up through Succession
Tucker Arensberg attorneys provide operations and liquor licensing guidance for clients in the food and beverage, manufacturing, and distribution sectors, including large and small craft breweries. We offer a unique blend of experience and innovation and are equally as comfortable representing publicly-traded national businesses and franchises as we are your local, neighborhood restaurant.
We have helped hospitality businesses:
Select and form corporations and LLC’s.
Develop a business strategy and timeline.
Handle all aspects of an acquisition, sale, and financing of restaurants, taverns, hotels, breweries, wineries, and related businesses.
With business planning and tax advice.
Advising on employment and non-compete related matters.
With purchasing or leasing property, zoning issues and land development.
Draft and review contracts, including purchase agreements, leases, distributor agreements, construction contracts, and vendor contracts.
Additionally, our hospitality attorneys are active members of the Brewers of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association.
Liquor License Acquisition
In Pennsylvania, clients seek our firm’s assistance to secure all liquor licenses issued by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB), including the following:
Original Issuance (hotels, public venues, performing arts facilities)
Special Occasion Permits
Extensions of Premises
Navigating State and Federal Regulations
The alcohol industry is heavily regulated at both the state and federal levels, and it can be difficult for alcohol manufacturers, retail licensees and distributors to navigate these laws and regulations without knowledge and counsel. Since the alcohol industry is dynamic and ever-changing, licensees need reliable information and guidance when faced with the legal and regulatory issues that impact their operations.
Our firm advises clients on all aspects of federal regulatory permitting, including the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) and trademark filings with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Our attorneys file Brewers Notices and applications for wineries and distilleries and aid with Certificate of Label Approval (COLA) issues and formula approval. We assist with pre-application strategy and prequalification analysis. We also monitor legislation news, Liquor Control Board Advisory Options, and court decisions that impact our clients so we may better advise their interests.
Expertise in Brand Protection: Trademarks, Copyrights, Recipes and Trade Secrets
Tucker Arensberg’s liquor law attorneys regularly consult with their intellectual property attorneys who specialize in alcohol trademark matters. They provide clearance of prospective brand names to ensure they are available for use and registration, prosecute U.S. trademark applications, and bring and defend trademark infringement suits in the federal courts.
Liquor Litigation and Dispute Resolution
Tucker Arensberg’s attorneys work closely with clients to avoid costly and protracted litigation. Should litigation become necessary, team members have extensive experience in county and federal court, as well as with arbitration panels, district justices, and administrative law judges.
They have served as lead counsel in liquor license disputes, federal trademark infringement cases, and federal environmental enforcement actions. On a local level, clients engage our firm regarding allegations of state liquor license violations by the Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement (BLCE), such as serving alcohol to minors, serving alcohol after hours, occupancy violations, health and safety code violations, noise violations, and nuisance bar program designations.
With Tucker Arensberg, P.C., clients have the support they need to navigate the complex world of Pennsylvania’s liquor law and federal regulations along with a comprehensive range of services to guide your business backed by years of proven experience.
Client Testimonials
Daniel Conlonwas very helpful and professional assisting us acquiring a liquor license for our business. It was a lengthy and bureaucratic process, but Daniel made the road a bit easier to navigate with his expertise and guidance.
Keyla Nogueira, Chefpreneur, Casa Brasil – Bar & Restaurant
My family has operated our small, rural restaurant and convenience store for 4 generations and nearly 85 years. When we decided we wanted to obtain a liquor license in order to sell beer to our patrons we didn’t know where to start. After a bit of internet searching, I came across Daniel Conlon at Tucker Arensberg, who specializes in this area. I called Dan out of the blue and from the start he was incredibly knowledgeable and generous with his time and advice. Dan, along with Michele Connor, helped us through each step of the process and they were always quick to respond to our questions. They made the process as smooth as possible, and they were a pleasure to work with. We would highly recommend their services and look forward to working with them in the future.
Nathan Fry, Owner, Fry Brothers Turkey Ranch and Mini Mart
