Alcohol Law Attorney
Gillian’s Alcohol Beverage-Related Litigation Services
Defending industry members from claims brought by the California ABC
Defending industry members from claims brought by the TTB
Defending license applicants from protests against their alcohol licenses
Representing licensees in ABC proceedings related to requests to change alcohol license conditions
Representing license applicants in ABC requalification/rehabilitation proceedings
Representing industry members before the ABC Appeals Board
Advocating for applicants and industry members with California and federal regulators
Advising industry members about distribution strategies and agreements, and representing clients in distribution disputes
Common Types of Alcohol Litigation:
- Claims brought by State (ABC) and Federal (TTB) alcohol regulators, which often start with requests for documents and interviews.
- Distribution and contract disputes.
- Protests against license applications, license expansions, and petitions to change license conditions.
For each of these categories, it’s important to work with an experienced alcohol law specialist to help ensure the optimal outcome.
Litigation Strategies for Success:
- Setting yourself up for success: investigation, evidence gathering, and hearing preparation.
- Using mediation and arbitration to resolve disputes more efficiently.
- Evaluating the costs and benefits associated with settling claims with state and federal regulators for the lowest possible penalty.
- Appeal alcohol-related rulings strategically.
Whether your case involves a state or federal administrative law judge, state or federal court, mediation, or arbitration (or a combination of those forums), an alcohol law specialist can help you develop and implement the most time and cost-effective strategy for moving forward.
The Benefits of Hiring an Alcohol Law Attorney:
1. Understanding Complex Federal and State Requirements
Alcohol beverages are subject to a complex web of local, state and federal laws. These laws vary based on your role in the industry (producer, distributor, retailer, or other); whether you sell wine, beer, or spirits; and where you operate. When it comes to alcohol law, doing business in each of the 50 states is akin to operating in 50 countries. An alcohol law specialist can help you navigate the complex regulatory framework in each state your business operates in—or aims to—in the most efficient way.
2. Protection from Regulatory Violations
License holders have ongoing compliance obligations. They can face hefty fines, license suspension, or license revocation if something goes wrong—and it’s often far from obvious what the potential stumbling blocks are. An alcohol law specialist can help you maintain compliance and minimize risks.
3. Efficiency and Experience
Gillian’s practice is laser-focused on alcohol law. She has deep experience advising a wide range of clients across the alcohol industry and working directly with alcohol regulators under California’s complex regulatory framework and applicable federal law. A UC Berkeley School of Law graduate, Gillian remains a dedicated student of the law, closely tracking legislative changes and court decisions that could impact her clients. This focused, up-to-date expertise allows her to quickly understand a client’s situation and move efficiently toward an optimal outcome.
4. Handling Complicated Situations
Growing a licensed alcohol business is more difficult than growing businesses in other industries. Do you want to operate in multiple states? Sell directly to consumers? Acquire other licensed businesses? Resolve a regulatory investigation? Whether it’s a growth opportunity or a risk management situation, you need experienced legal counsel to navigate alcoholic beverage laws successfully.
5. Strategic Business Planning
Alcohol regulations don’t just affect your legal compliance—they shape your entire business model. An alcohol law attorney can help you structure your business operations, distribution strategies, and growth plans in ways that work within regulatory requirements rather than against them.
Why Choose Gillian Garrett Law, PC?
Whether your business is facing a minor or more significant legal hurdle, it’s key to engage a lawyer with extensive experience representing clients just like you in front of the ABC, TTB, and other forums, day in and day out. One who is proactive, efficient, and communicates with you in plain English rather than legalese, so that you know what’s happening every step of the way. Gillian is this attorney—and then some. Here are a few of the qualities clients say set her apart:
- Exclusive focus on alcoholic beverage law: Gillian’s entire practice is dedicated to helping businesses just like yours, and has been for many years. She knows the industry inside and out and is familiar with virtually every legal challenge a business might face at various phases of its lifecycle.
- Highly strategic approach: Gillian’s extensive experience representing clients before the ABC, TTB, and in other venues enable her to recommend strategies for moving forward that are based on realistic likely outcomes. Her aim is not simply to achieve a client’s goals, but to do so as efficiently as possible.
- Transparent pricing: Gillian is clear from the start about the fees you can expect to incur based on your particular set of circumstances and the work that will likely be required to reach a resolution. If this changes as your case evolves, you’ll know about it. For certain matters, including hearings, she offers flat-fee arrangements.
- Plain English communication: Gillian excels at translating legal documents and terminology into language clients can readily understand. You won’t need a law degree (or dictionary) to know exactly what she is doing on your behalf and why, and next steps.
Gillian doesn’t just “represent clients”—she partners with everyday, ambitious business owners working to build thriving companies in one of America’s most regulated industries.
