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Desktop Image: Hatef, Beth
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Bethany K. Hatef

Of Counsel

T 202.973.4206 Washington, D.C.
I help alcohol companies and investors navigate the complexities of one of the most highly regulated (and fun) industries.
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MainBiography Food + Beverage Bio

Beth Hatef counsels clients on a wide variety of regulatory, distribution, and transactional issues in the alcohol beverage industry. She provides advice on federal and state requirements relating to the production, marketing, distribution and sale of beer, wine, spirits, and other alcohol beverages in connection with clients' day-to-day operations as well as corporate transactions.

Beth frequently advises clients on the legality of corporate structures, proposed investments, and promotional activities under federal and state trade practice laws and regulations, including tied-house restrictions. She regularly evaluates and provides advice to clients in connection with state restrictions on e-commerce and direct-to-consumer deliveries of alcohol beverages. Beth also assists clients in negotiating and entering into distribution relationships, and provides counsel on the impact of state franchise requirements on supplier-distributor contracts and relations.

Beth has extensive experience serving as alcohol regulatory and distribution counsel to clients in connection with corporate transactions involving alcohol beverage companies. Her work in this area includes advising clients on the alcohol regulatory and distribution risks involved in such transactions, negotiating the relevant provisions of transactional documents, and evaluating associated licensing requirements and post-closing distribution strategies.

Practice Highlights

Alcohol industry investments

Advises alcohol industry clients and institutional investors in connection with sale of majority and minority ownership stakes and substantial investments in alcohol beverage companies, and with regard to structuring potential investments in the alcohol industry to minimize alcohol regulatory risks.

Regulatory advice

Counsels alcohol beverage suppliers and retailers on regulatory and compliance issues arising from day-to-day operations, including trade practices, e-commerce and direct-to-consumer shipments, licensing and permitting strategies, and alcohol excise taxes.

Distribution issues

Assists alcohol beverage producers and importers with entering into and managing distribution relationships. Drafts and negotiates agreements for the distribution of beer, wine, spirits, and other alcohol beverages. Counsels clients on state alcohol "franchise" laws and their impact on supplier-distributor relationships.
*Denotes an attorney's experience prior to joining Davis Wright Tremaine
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Admitted to Practice

  • District of Columbia, 2011
  • Maryland, 2011

Education

  • J.D., Duke University School of Law, 2010
    • Articles Editor, Alaska Law Review
    • Moot Court Board
    • Co-Chair, Public Interest Law Foundation Board
  • B.A., Political Science, Johns Hopkins University, 2007
    • Pi Sigma Alpha
    • Student Conduct Board

Memberships & Affiliations

    • Law Firm Associate Member, National Conference of State Liquor Administrators, 2015-present
    • National Association of Women Lawyers, 2016-present

Professional Recognition

    • Named one of "America's Leading Lawyers for Business" by Chambers USA in Food & Beverages: Alcohol (Nationwide), 2025; Listed as "Up and Coming,", 2021-2024; Listed as an "Associate to Watch," 2019-2020
    • Named "One to Watch" by Best Lawyers in Administrative / Regulatory Law, 2024-2025
    • Listed among independently rated lawyers by Acritas Stars, 2020

Background

    • Associate, 2010-2021; Summer Associate, 2009 – McDermott Will & Emery LLP, Washington, D.C.
    • Legal Extern, Federal Public Defender's Office, Raleigh, N.C., 2009
    • Law Student Intern, U.S. Attorney's Office, Hartford, Conn., 2008
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