About

Provided by McDermott Will & Emery LLP

Premium quality – McDermott is pitched at the top end of the market for alcohol regulatory legal services. We don’t compete with the boutique firms for volume work, but hold ourselves out as the key choice for sophisticated regulatory, distribution, transactional, and litigation matters.

Regulatory expertise – Our lawyers have extensive experience with the regulation of beverages before the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, the Federal Trade Commission, Customs & Border Protection, the Food and Drug Administration, and state alcohol control authorities. We understand the objectives of regulators and apply this knowledge on behalf of well-known drinks companies.

Litigation/investigations – A crucial part of our practice is representing alcohol beverage companies in litigation, arbitration, and regulatory investigations, including TTB audits. No other firm compares with us for federal enforcement work, such as TTB and FTC investigations. Practice head Alva Mather began her career as a litigator, and specializes in alcohol distribution and supply cases. This expertise shone through this past year as Alva worked with clients to quietly settle a dozen proposed class action cases.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Food & Beverages: Alcohol - USA - Nationwide

2
Band 2

What the Team is Known For

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.

Work Highlights

  • McDermott represented Molson Coors in their expansion into spirits.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Alva Mather
2
Alva Mather
2
Band 2
Alva Mather is recognized for advising on a broad range of issues including regulatory matters, distribution agreements and marketing compliance, as well as significant M&A deals in the alcoholic beverage space.

Alva is very helpful, service-oriented and has deep knowledge.

Alva Mather is very responsive, always there for clients, she is very practical and measured and gets our business needs and does not lose sight of the business and aims.

Alva Mather is well connected in her field, and very pleasant to work and engage with. She has been key to making sure that our needs are met as a client.

Alva's deep industry knowledge combined with a practical and frank demeanor make her the perfect counsel for our team.

Ranked Lawyers at
McDermott Will & Emery LLP

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

USA - Nationwide

Food & Beverages: Alcohol

Alva Mather
2
Alva Mather
2
Band 2

Members

Provided by McDermott Will & Emery LLP

Nichole Shustack