Department profile
Foster Garvey PC

Food & Beverages: Alcohol

USA Guide 2026 : USA - Nationwide

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Foster Garvey PC

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About

Provided by Foster Garvey PC

We help navigate legal and regulatory challenges of the alcoholic beverages industry, offering comprehensive support to ensure compliance and drive growth.

Whether you’re launching a new venture, expanding operations or ensuring ongoing compliance, we’ll work with you to secure the necessary licenses, anticipate potential regulatory issues and stay ahead of evolving laws. We simplify the legal complexities so you can focus on what you do best.

Our team understands the unique demands of your industry. From breweries, distilleries and wineries to importers, distributors, restaurants and retailers, we represent a wide range of businesses throughout the production, distribution and sales process. Our attorneys have extensive experience with local, state and federal agencies, including the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board and the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission.

We assist with liquor licensing, trade practice compliance, marketing and advertising regulations, labeling requirements, franchise protection, distribution agreements and dispute resolution. For businesses with international interests, we provide counsel on import and export rules, tariffs and trade embargos.

Whatever the challenge, our team provides proactive, strategic legal counsel to support your goals and safeguard your interests.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Food & Beverages: Alcohol - USA - Nationwide

Band 2

What the Team is Known For

Foster Garvey is recognized for its expertise in liquor licensing and compliance at both the nationwide and state levels, providing guidance on alcohol licensing structures and complex regulatory and risk mitigation matters. The firm advises on the three-tier system and supports the development of cannabis and liquor consumption venues. Its practice also encompasses mergers and acquisitions and strategic counsel on the use of AI tools in social media branding.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • They have a deep understanding of the applicable laws, insights on navigating the process and a diligent team that helped drive the process in a timely manner, all paired with pragmatic advice along the way.

    Food & Beverages: Alcohol respondentUSA

  • The team possesses exceptional understanding of the diverse businesses that make up the alcohol industry.

    Food & Beverages: Alcohol respondentUSA

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Emily Harris Gant
    Emily Harris Gant

    Emily Harris Gant

    Emily Gant is sought after by various clients for her expertise in the wine sector and the retail space. She is well-versed in regulatory matters, M&A issues and licensing among numerous other areas. She is a capable representative for large companies as well as smaller family businesses.

    • Emily has a deep client base across the industry because she is a business as well as a legal counselor, with an understanding of commercial matters as well as legal risks.

      Food & Beverages: Alcohol respondentUSA

    • Our options are presented in such a clear, straightforward way that I have no issue communicating them to our C-Suite.

      Food & Beverages: Alcohol respondentUSA

    • Emily is fantastic in being able to talk to regulators and explain to us the practical terms and the risks, piecing together the complex law and regulations and telling us what to do and what not to do.

      Food & Beverages: Alcohol respondentUSA
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  • Susan Johnson
    Susan Johnson

    Susan Johnson

    Susan Johnson is widely recognized for successfully advising clients from the manufacturing, retail and hospitality sectors on complex regulatory and licensing issues.

    • Susan is a thorough and experienced practitioner with a business-oriented mind.

      Food & Beverages: Alcohol respondentUSA

    • Susan is an expert in alcohol law and a valued resource for general alcohol issues along with Washington and Oregon local laws.

      Food & Beverages: Alcohol respondentUSA

    • She possesses strong strategic and analytical skills and is a concise, professional communicator.

      Food & Beverages: Alcohol respondentUSA
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  • Claire Mitchell
    Claire Mitchell

    Claire Mitchell

    Claire Mitchell is a solid adviser on both regulatory issues and M&A for clients in the sector.

    • Claire is a smart, experienced and thoughtful attorney with a sound understanding of industry business dynamics.

      Food & Beverages: Alcohol respondentUSA

    • Claire provides exceptional service and has an impressive grasp of the issues impacting businesses of all types operating in the alcohol beverage space. I can always rely on her responsiveness and ability to address issues for my clients.

      Food & Beverages: Alcohol respondentUSA

    • She offers great information for us when needed on alcohol-related items and is very well regarded by peers and regulators.

      Food & Beverages: Alcohol respondentUSA
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  • Kristina Dickens
    Kristina Dickens

    Kristina Dickens

    Kristina Dickens' specific area of strength lies in advising retailers on licensing matters. She has further experience representing importers, suppliers and distributors before both state and federal regulatory commissions.

    • Kristina is valued for her deep expertise in Illinois alcohol laws, including all her connections with local liquor boards.

      Food & Beverages: Alcohol respondentUSA

    • Kristina has been a fantastic partner for our business in Illinois, both in terms of her advice, her assistance with preparing various regulatory filings and her representation of our business before various regulatory bodies.

      Food & Beverages: Alcohol respondentUSA
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Ranked Individuals at Foster Garvey PC (4)

USA - Nationwide

Members

Provided by Foster Garvey PC

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