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Overview

Greenspoon Marder was founded with a focus on providing effective, full-service legal representation to the timeshare, resort and real estate sectors on a local and national level. The firm’s Hospitality & Leisure practice group serves resort investors, lenders, developers, owners and operators across the broad range of industries within the Hospitality & Leisure sector, including:

  • Hotels & Resorts Formation
  • Restaurant Licensing & Regulations
  • Bars, Nightclubs & Private Clubs
  • Alcohol Wholesalers & Manufacturer Licensing
  • Condominium Formation, Funding and Development
  • Supermarkets
  • Mixed-Use Projects
  • Sports Arenas
  • Cinemas
  • Entertainment Complexes and Establishments
  • Employment & Labor Negotiations
  • Employment Litigation

Developing its client network, the firm has expanded its reach to serve the $1.5 trillion hospitality sector nationwide delivering exceptional client services nationally from key hospitality centers such as Miami, New York City, Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

The Hospitality, Alcohol & Leisure Industry Group creatively addresses client needs by providing a multi-disciplinary client centered approach offering a full range of legal services to clients in this sector such as:

  • Alcohol Beverage Licensing, Regulation and Compliance
  • Hospitality Industry Business Formation, Structuring & Development
  • Resort and Hotel Construction & Development
  • Contractual Agreements & Negotiations
  • Environmental Issues
  • Federal & State Regulatory Compliance
  • Finance & Transactions
  • Restructuring and Lender Agreements
  • Joint Ventures, Distribution and Strategic Business Relationships
  • Labor & Employment Negotiations, Litigation and Contracting
  • Hospitality Land Acquisition, Use & Zoning
  • Litigation
  • Immigration & Naturalization
  • Intellectual Property, Marketing & Advertising Compliance
  • Taxation, Valuation and Fiscal Oversight
  • Global Celebrities
  • Celebrity Branded Alcohol Products & Nightlife Venues

Notably, the team was selected as Law360’s Practice Group of the Year for 2022 in Hospitality. In addition, two of the Hospitality, Alcohol & Leisure Industry Group’s lead attorneys, chair Louis J. Terminello and senior counsel Joshua Remedios, are recognized in the Nationwide: Food & Beverage category by Chambers and Partner USA since 2022. 

 

Meet the Team
Alcohol Beverage Industry Group

Alcohol Beverage Industry Group

With more than 100 years of combined legal and regulatory experience, the Alcohol Beverage Industry Group at Greenspoon Marder helps clients navigate the various aspects of the three-tier alcohol industry.  The group represents alcohol retailers, distributors, suppliers, importers and related third parties such as marketing companies, financial institutions and sports franchises. Our integrated team advises clients on a wide range of industry regulations, jurisdictional requirements and alcohol beverage and tobacco licensing compliance. The group provides comprehensive legal representation and regulatory guidance relating to the manufacture, import, distribution, marketing and retail sale of alcohol beverage and tobacco products.

The Alcohol Beverage Industry Group at Greenspoon Marder has experience in representing:

  • Restaurants
  • Supermarkets
  • Sports Arenas
  • Entertainment Complexes and Establishments
  • Cinemas throughout the United States
  • Nightclubs and Private Clubs
  • National Retail Chains
  • National Hotel Chains
  • Wholesalers
  • Bars & Lounges
  • Domestic and Foreign Suppliers
  • Manufacturers
  • Hotels & Resorts

 

A sampling of services includes:

  • Alcohol beverage and tobacco licensing at the local, state and federal levels for all tiers of the alcohol industry;
  • Business licensing compliance for alcohol industry clients including hotels, restaurants, large box retailers, pharmacies and entertainment venues such as movie theaters, bars and nightclubs;
  • Alcohol marketing and labeling compliance and approvals;
  • Land use and zoning approvals for alcohol retailers and manufacturers;
  • Multi-state license transfer coordination and  tracking;
  • Alcohol purchasing and distribution analysis;
  • Distribution and import agreements;
  • Marketing and sponsorship agreements and trade practice compliance analysis;
  • Licensing due diligence and alcohol license purchase and sale transactions.
Alcohol M&A

Alcohol M&A

Greenspoon Marder’s dedicated team of legal professionals offers unparalleled expertise in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) within the alcohol industry. Our firm is committed to providing comprehensive legal services tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients in this dynamic sector.

Expertise in Alcohol Industry M&A

At Greenspoon Marder, we understand the complexities and regulatory challenges inherent in the alcohol industry. Our attorneys possess extensive knowledge and experience in navigating these intricacies, ensuring that our clients receive informed and strategic legal counsel. We are adept at handling a wide range of transactions, from small-scale acquisitions to large, multi-national mergers.

Types of Transactions

Our firm handles a variety of transactions within the alcohol sector, including but not limited to:

  • Mergers and Acquisitions: Facilitating seamless mergers and acquisitions, ensuring compliance with industry regulations and maximizing value for our clients.
  • Joint Ventures: Structuring and negotiating joint ventures that align with our clients’ strategic goals.
  • Asset Purchases: Advising on asset purchase agreements, including due diligence and valuation.
  • Corporate Restructuring: Assisting with corporate restructuring to optimize operational efficiency and market positioning.

Unique Advantages

Greenspoon Marder offers several unique advantages to our clients in the alcohol industry:

  • Industry-Specific Knowledge: Our attorneys are well-versed in the specific legal and regulatory requirements of the alcohol sector, providing clients with targeted and effective legal solutions.
  • Strategic Approach: We adopt a strategic approach to each transaction, focusing on our clients’ long-term business objectives and ensuring that every decision supports their growth and success.
  • Comprehensive Services: From initial consultation to post-transaction integration, we offer a full spectrum of services to support our clients at every stage of the M&A process.

The team is led by partner and Hospitality Chair Louis J. Terminello, joined by partners Jaci Flug and John Babala, and associates Puneet Bhullar and Bradley Berkman, with a combined knowledge and experience that is unparalleled in the field.

Upper Tier Industry Group

Upper Tier Industry Group

Greenspoon Marder’s Upper Tier Industry Group works across state jurisdictions, and at the federal level, and is skillfully versed in trade practice, regulatory, compliance and licensing issues and all legal concerns for beverage alcohol industry members.

Upper tier industry members have specific legal and business challenges that demand experienced attorneys with the knowledge and expertise to navigate the complex regulatory framework.

From permit issues, regulatory and compliance matters – including complex Tied-House issues – contracts, trade practice, trademark, licensing, as well as e-commerce, advertising, and data sales (among other areas), the attorneys in Greenspoon Marder’s Upper Tier Industry Group can assist suppliers, wholesalers and third-party industry providers with legal strategies and solutions that are designed to meet and excel their business objectives.

Practice areas include:

  • Federal Importer, Wholesaler and Producer and Permits
  • E-commerce
  • State Importers, Producers and Wholesaler Permits
  • Federal and State Regulatory Guidance
  • Marketing and Trade Practice Matters Specific to Malt, Wine and Distilled Spirits
  • Complex Formula Approval
  • Complex Label Approval
  • US Customs and FDA Concerns
  • Beer/Wine and Spirits Trademark Matters
  • Contract Drafting and Review Between Upper Tier Members (Including Marketing, Advertising and Promotional Companies)
  • Federal and State Trade Practice Issues
  • Compliance Programs
  • Administrative Action Defense
  • Offers in Compromise

The team is led by Louis J. Terminello, Esq., joined by Jaci Flug, Esq., Michael Martinez, Esq., and Bradley Berkman, Esq., with a combined knowledge and experience that is unparalleled in the field.

News & Videos

News & Videos

Hospitality Blog

For Anyone Who Was Confused About Shipping Spirits into Colorado – Colorado Has Definitively Spoken – Don’t Do It


Hospitality, Alcohol & Leisure Blog Apr 7, 2025 Read More

Hospitality, Alcohol, and Leisure Industry Client Alert – New Cancer Warning Recommendations: What Alcohol Producers Need to Know


Hospitality, Alcohol & Leisure Blog Jan 13, 2025 Miami, FL Read More

A New Chapter for Tied House Laws: Burger King’s Whopper Bar Wins Florida Alcohol License After 14 Years


Hospitality, Alcohol & Leisure Blog Dec 16, 2024 Miami, FL Read More

Agent of the Consumer: Tennessee’s Strict Enforcement on Alcohol Shipping


Hospitality, Alcohol & Leisure Blog Dec 16, 2024 New York, NY Read More

Massachusetts Levels the Playing Field for Direct Wine Shippers – Some May Need to Change Their Business Model


Hospitality, Alcohol & Leisure Blog Aug 21, 2024 New York, NY Read More

In an Enforcement Action against Kroger, the Florida DABT Imposes Brick-and-Mortar Standards on E-Commerce Sales


Hospitality, Alcohol & Leisure Blog Jun 12, 2024 New York, NY Read More

Influencers, Alcohol Brands & Deceptive Advertising Regulations


May 14, 2024 Read More