Jim Neill, founder of the hospitality practice at Davis Wright Tremaine, established the firm as a leader in alcoholic beverage regulatory services and built extensive relationships with clients and key industry organizations, including the Alliance of Alcohol Attorneys and Consultants. During his career, Jim, now retired, obtained more than 3,000 liquor licenses for clients in Oregon and Washington and represented the industry in more than 300 contested cases before the Oregon Liquor Control Commission and the Washington Liquor Control Board. He also served as general counsel for the Oregon Restaurant Association and the Oregon Brewers Guild.
Jim's clients have included: AEG, American Golf Corporation, Aramark, Bon Appetit, BP West Coast Products, Carlson Hospitality Worldwide, Centerplate, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, Gustav's, IHOP, Marriott, McCormick and Schmick’s, McMenamins, Morton’s of Chicago, One Reel, Oregon Brewer's Guild, Oregon Restaurant Association, Oregon Wine Growers, Pilot Corporation, Restaurants Unlimited, Shari's Management Corporation, Shell Oil Company, Stars Cabaret, Sundance Cinemas, Sunstone Hotels, Timberline Lodge, and Travel Centers of America.
Practice Highlights
- Represented more than 2,000 different restaurants, bars and hotels for general business and personal needs
- Represented businesses and associations before the Oregon and Washington legislatures primarily on alcohol regulation and gaming issues
- Helped coordinate the legal development of more than 80 different hotel properties
- Represented more than 100 wineries, breweries, and distilleries with state and federal licensing and general business matters