Making the Law Work for Food and Beverage Businesses

The owners of businesses in the food and beverage industry, such as importers/exporters, distributors, liquor stores and restaurants, all know how complex the regulatory environment is in which they operate. They also understand that if they fail to maintain compliance, they may be unable to operate for a period of time. For example, the Food Safety Modernization Act allows the government to shut down operations of unsafe food producers and handlers. In such a highly regulatory environment, you can neither afford to lose any ground to the competition nor ignore food safety and alcohol licensing rules.

Our counsel is there to help ensure your business can operate without hindrance from regulation or any other challenges.

Importing and Exporting

For importers and exporters of food and beverage, the need to be able to move goods effectively across borders requires an ability to navigate the regulatory channels that govern the flow of such goods. No importer/exporter can succeed without the ability to ensure that his or her business is not being impeded by noncompliance. Are you aware when you need an importing license and which goods are more regulated than others and from which countries? We can help ensure that your goods are able to move across borders without being unnecessarily hindered, detained or confiscated.

Alcohol Sales – Online and On-Premise

States and cities and counties Oh My! Alcohol sales are complicated. Even after identifying whether you are operating in a three-tier, or control state, you must further identify whether restrictions apply to liquor, wine and beer or all three. After you’ve done the initial legwork, you must still adapt to city and county rules about whether you, as a business owner, can operate as an online marketplace, partner with an existing retailer in the state in question, or become a licensed retailer in the state. And, don’t forget that regulators at all levels can limit what you can ship alongside your alcohol. You may be surprised to learn that certain alcohol-related goods such as cork screws and decanters cannot be shipped in the same box, or from the same warehouse, as the wine itself. In other instances, you may be pleasantly surprised that you can include olives in the same box with gin and vodka. Did you know that in certain states your alcohol license is a commodity that can, amongst other things, be encumbered, transferred and assigned?

Sedhom Law Group, PLLC can help you determine how to best effectuate the sales that you want, help you partner with local retailers and delivery companies, and litigate on your behalf with respect to alcohol sales and obtainment of license.

On Top Of Developing Law

A key feature of the service we provide to our clients in the food and beverage industry is counsel on developing areas of the law. As different laws such as the Food Safety Modernization Act and others are created, interpreted and applied, the landscape in which businesses operate can shift dramatically. We continually stay abreast of developments and their practical impact on your business, and we can help your business successfully adapt to the evolving legal landscape.

Some of the issues we assist with include:

• Regulatory compliance
• Employment law
• Contracts
• Importing and exporting
• Food safety
• Alcoholic beverage licenses
• Data privacy and security
• Protection of trade secrets and proprietary information

A Bespoke Law Firm®

At the Sedhom Law Group, PLLC, a bespoke law firm^®, we are committed to providing your business with the full support that it needs at all times. We offer alternative billing arrangements so that you can seek out the counsel you need when you need it. Attorney Rania V. Sedhom built our firm on the idea that business owners benefit from having counsel that understands who they are and in the fields they operate. Access and consistency are two keys. By offering constant access with flat monthly billing, we are able to give our clients the benefit of in-house counsel without the same level of financial commitment. For our larger clients with in-house counsel, our firm supports them so it is like having a larger in-house team rather than outside counsel that you call for emergencies and litigation.

In some instances, an hourly billing arrangement may make more sense for your business or the issue at hand. We have targeted discussions with you so that our firm can assist you in the most expeditious way possible. Our goal is to help you monetize your business without having to waste time discussing each legal invoice.

Food and Beverage Industry Law Attorneys Serving Clients In New York, New Jersey, Florida, California, and throughout America and Across the Globe

You and your business deserve premiere legal support. Turn to Sedhom Law Group, PLLC, a bespoke law firm^®. To schedule an initial consultation with one of our lawyers, call 212-664-1600 or contact us online.