Hospitality, Restaurant & Liquor License Administrative Law

The conviviality of hospitality creates legal issues.

New York restaurants and bars offer some of the most satisfying and rewarding business ventures available today. However, in such a competitive market and such litigious times, the long-term success of any business venture requires careful consideration of the legal issues that inevitably arise in hospitality businesses:

    •  Too much noise leads to a criminal summons;
    •  A customer slips and falls, leading to insurance
       coverage issues;
    •  A patron picks a fight and you are in front of the
       liquor authority defending your establishment.

Even though many problems you face may be unwarranted or frivolous, they still can prove costly and time-consuming to resolve.

Advance preparation can mitigate potential legal problems.

This is all the more true for the unprepared business. We work all the time with restaurateurs and bar owners in the five boroughs of New York City and throughout the State to address their highly specialized needs. Because of our extensive experience with the unique legal issues associated with the hospitality industry and liquor licenses, our clients depend on us to keep them aware of and away from danger zones. Whether you are planning to acquire or start a new venture, sense a potential legal problem looming ahead, or even if you are looking to sell your business, we can be your best resource.

When you want to work with trusted advisors and problem-solvers in your business, turn to us for help with:

• Business formation, organization, and dissolution
• Negotiating and drafting franchise agreements, sale of shares agreements, and investor agreements
• The purchase or sale of a business
• Registration and protection of trade names, trademarks, and trade dress
• Preparation of liquor license, sidewalk, and cabaret applications
• Defending clients against regulatory violations, including alleged liquor license, health department, and cigarette license violations
• Filing of importher, wholesaler, manufacturer, and brewing permits with the Tax & Trade Bureau (TTB)
• Civil litigation arising out of commercial and customer disputes

Business Acquisitions & Sales
  •  Due Diligence Search
  •  Facilitate License Transfers
  •  Negotiate Buy/Sell Contracts
  •  Site Selection Counsel

Business Organization
  •  Operating Agreements
  •  Shareholder Agreements
  •  Business Entity Formation
      •  Corporation
      •  LLC/LLP
      •  Partnerships

Trademark Application & Monitoring Services

Commercial Leasing

Licenses & Permits for the Hospitality Industry
  •  Cigarette, Liquor, Retail and
     Other Hospitality Licenses
     & Permits

Representation Before NY City & State Boards & Authorities
  •  Compliance Issues
  •  Revocation Proceedings
  •  Violations Hearings