Bone McAllester Norton’s Alcoholic Beverage Group provides federal, state, and local licensing and regulatory compliance advice to clients in all tiers of the three-tier system.

Licensing, Regulatory Compliance, and Defense and Governmental Affairs

We advise restaurants – from national, publicly-traded brands, to small, chef-owned bistros – hotels, bars, clubs, resorts, and venues statewide with liquor, beer, dance, catering and special event licensing.     

We also represent Tennessee, national and international manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, and retailers of liquor, wine, and beer in connection with federal, state, and local licensing and compliance matters, with a special focus on two tiers: manufacturing-importing and retail.  We have experience with federal and state rules and regulations regarding advertising, marketing, and commerce.

We regularly work with the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission and have worked directly with many of Tennessee’s 300+ local beer boards.  We represent clients in defense of citations and related enforcement matters, administrative hearings, and in state court actions challenging existing ordinances, and statutes and regulations.  Working with registered lobbyists, we have drafted state and local liquor legislation.

Taxes, Building Codes and Related Matters

Taxation is a critical issue for licensees and permittees, and clients routinely request our assistance with compliance, especially relative to state and local tax laws.  Similarly, we frequently address construction issues, occupancy requirements and requirements for local business licenses.  Resolution of these issues is often necessary for completion of the licensing process.

Multi-Disciplinary Approach

Our clients regularly rely on Bone McAllester Norton attorneys and professionals for matters not directly related to licensing issues, but just as important to the overall success of their businesses.  Our specialists in real estate, labor and employment, and general corporate and tax matters routinely provide practical, cost-efficient advice to our licensing clients.  The attorneys in the Alcoholic Beverage Group have areas of focus that are complimentary to their liquor law practice.  We strive to be a one-stop shop.

Our Professionals

Attorney Will Cheek leads the Alcoholic Beverage Group.  Will is an industry member of the National Conference of State Liquor Administrators (NCSLA) and regularly attends national liquor conferences.  He is a Founding Member of the Alliance of Alcohol Industry Attorneys and Consultants and a sustaining member of the National Association of Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Attorneys.  Will also advises clients in business formation, contract negotiations, and transactions. 

Attorneys Chris Raybeck, Robert Pinson and Tucker Herndon are also members of the Alliance of Alcohol Industry Attorneys and Consultants, and Chris attends the NCSLA’s national liquor conferences.  Chris also focuses on commercial real estate and lending issues.  With a Master of Laws in Taxation, Rob also assists clients with corporate and partnership tax issues and general business matters.  Tucker's other practice focuses include commercial lending, creditors' rights and real estate transactions.

Paralegal Vicki L. Schmidt completes the Alcoholic Beverage Group and, along with our attorneys, maintains regular contact with the state, county, and city officials and regulators responsible for administration of state and local liquor and beer laws, rules, and ordinances. 

We have assisted hundreds of businesses across Tennessee and nationwide with licenses and permits and related regulatory advice.  Over time and with the use of enhanced office technology, we have developed very specific methods of handling and tracking clients’ multi-jurisdictional licensing projects, as well as routine single-license projects.  Our use of computerized forms, paperless document retention and extranet sites makes our services more cost-effective and brings greater predictability to the licensing process. 

We emphasize organization and readily available access to each location’s current status.  We welcome the opportunity to assist you with your licensing and compliance needs.

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