Companies in the food and beverage industry work in an environment of thin margins, complex regulation, and low barriers to entry for competitors. Many consumers are paying more attention to what they eat and how it is produced and prepared. There are rising concerns about food allergens and other food safety issues, which have increased regulation and regulatory enforcement. Competitors are developing more highly value-added production lines, increasing capital demands and requiring greater manufacturing sophistication for all companies.
To succeed, companies need to execute efficiently, maintain careful and thorough regulatory compliance programs, and constantly innovate to maintain their position in the market.
Our industry team provides our clients with a unified, one-stop solution to their legal needs. Made up of lawyers who are completely focused on and passionate about the industry, our team combines legal sophistication and strong relationships with regulators and allied service providers with practical business insight to add value to every part of a company’s operations.
Our clients include food and beverage producers and distributors, packaged food companies, restaurants and restaurant chains, franchisors, licensors, retailers, wineries, breweries and distilleries, importers and wholesalers. We also represent numerous industry associations, which helps keep us on top of emerging legislative and business issues.
Because we know the industry so well, we can anticipate legal issues and help clients manage risk proactively. We also understand what is important and can focus exclusively on that, which enables us to support our clients very efficiently.
We support clients on daily operations, market channel decisions, transactions with suppliers and customers, marketing and manufacturing agreements, trademarks and other intellectual property, trade secrets, finance, franchising and distribution, and tax, including disputes with the USDA, FDA, and the federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. We help clients comply with licensing, permitting, labeling, record-keeping, international trade issues, food and beverage safety and product recalls.
As part of a full-service firm, our team can draw upon colleagues with specialized knowledge where clients have periodic needs, including real estate, land use, construction, environmental issues, product liability, Internet and e-commerce issues, litigation, securities, strategic investments, and mergers and acquisitions. |