William Cheek

Practice Areas

Alcohol & Hospitality; Government Relations, State and Local; Intersection of Business & Government; Legislative Advocacy & Public Strategy

Career

Often referenced as the go-to liquor lawyer in Tennessee, Will leads the Tennessee Retail Team of Adams & Reese's Alcohol and Hospitality practice. He counsels both local and national clients on licensing and regulatory compliance under Tennessee state and local liquor and beer laws.

Will counsels distilleries, wineries, breweries and contract manufacturers on production, distribution and marketing, including complex federal and state tied house issues.

Will represents clients before the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission and local beer boards in licensing, enforcement actions and administrative hearings. Working in concert with Adams & Reese's Government Relations team, he drafts state and local liquor legislation and represents clients in state court actions challenging existing ordinances and statutes and regulations.

Will is a trusted legal adviser to startup businesses and emerging companies within a wide range of industries. As "on-call general counsel," Will plays a critical role in helping mom-and-pop and closely held companies accomplish growth and success. This representation ranges from Tailgate Brewery, a Nashville-based brewery adding taprooms across the state, to Kraft CPAs, one of Tennessee's largest independent accounting firms.

Will has been ranked by Best Lawyers in America in Food and Beverage Law, as well as Nonprofit/Charities Law, for 11 and 9 consecutive years, respectively.

Will is a founding member of the Alliance of Alcohol Industry Attorneys and Consultants, and he serves as an advisory board member and legal counsel for the National Association of Licensing and Compliance Professionals.

Professional Memberships

National Conference of State Liquor Administrators; Alliance of Alcohol Industry Attorneys and Consultants, Founding Member; Lawyers Association for Women, Frequent Programming Co-Chair; National Association of Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Attorneys; National Association of Licensing and Compliance Professionals, Advisory Board Member and Legal Counsel; National Cannabis Bar Association; Tennessee Bar Association; Nashville Bar Association