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Liquor and Hospitality Attorneys in Central Pennsylvania

Our goal is to serve as a trusted legal partner, providing the experience and expertise needed to operate successfully and lawfully in Pennsylvania’s highly regulated beverage alcohol market.

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Liquor and Hospitality Attorney Help

Navigating Pennsylvania’s complex liquor and hospitality regulations requires an experienced legal partner who understands both the business and the law.

CGA’s Liquor and Hospitality Law practice provides comprehensive guidance to breweries, wineries, distilleries, restaurants, taverns, hotels, and clubs throughout their entire business lifecycle. We help clients navigate through the red tape of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) and the Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement (BLCE) to achieve their strategic goals.

The intricacies of compliance with liquor laws cannot be overstated. Our attorneys are keenly aware that incomplete and erroneous submissions by clients may lead to substantial delays in official approvals, potentially causing operations to halt, leading to accrued expenses and loss of revenue. 

Founders of start-up businesses find that our experience in the industry affords them insights that help control the initial costs of launching their company. Well-established companies look to us to help them manage the transfer or sale of the company.

Licensing, Permits, and Compliance

  • License Acquisition and Transfer: We manage the entire process of applying for, purchasing, and transferring all types of Pennsylvania liquor licenses, including restaurant, eating place, catering club, and hotel licenses.
  • Manufacturing Licenses: We assist craft beverage producers with obtaining and maintaining brewery, winery, and distillery licenses.
  • Permits and Approvals: We handle applications for special permits such as Sunday Sales, Extended Hours, and Wine Expanded Permits.
  • Compliance and Operations: We provide ongoing advice on the state Liquor Code, including guidance on happy hours, “to-go” sales, and acceptable advertising.

Enforcement Actions and Dispute Resolution

  • Citation Defense: We provide aggressive and effective representation for businesses facing citations from the BLCE for alleged violations.
  • License Non-Renewal: We represent licensees before the PLCB’s independent Office of Administrative Law Judge to contest non-renewal actions and other license-related disputes.

Business and Transactional Support

  • Mergers and Acquisitions: We manage the legal aspects of purchasing or selling hospitality businesses, ensuring seamless asset and license transfers.
  • Refinancing: We represent business owners and borrowers in financing, including construction, and acquisitions purchases.
  • Real Estate and Zoning: We assist with property purchases, leases, and local zoning approval processes that impact liquor license operations.
  • Contracts and Agreements: We draft and review all contracts, including purchase or sale agreements, management agreements, joint venture agreements, distributor agreements, rental agreements, leases, and vendor contracts.

What distinguishes our practice?

  • Deep Regulatory Knowledge: We have a deep understanding of Pennsylvania’s unique and constantly evolving alcohol laws, ensuring our clients receive proactive and forward-thinking advice.
  • Full-Service Representation: Our practice leverages expertise in related areas such as business law, real estate, intellectual property, labor and employment, and litigation, allowing us to serve all your business’s legal needs in one place.
  • Industry Recognition: Our attorneys are active in leading industry organizations, , and stay up-to-date on legislative and regulatory changes.
  • Protecting Your Investment: Your liquor license is a valuable asset. We are dedicated to protecting it and your business’s bottom line by providing creative solutions to complex legal challenges.

Our Clients Include

  • Breweries
  • Restaurants and bars
  • Hotels
  • Convenience stores
  • Golf courses
  • Beer distributors
  • Liquor distillers
  • Retail stores
  • Wineries
  • Social Clubs (VFWs, American Legions, etc.)

Licensing, Permits, and Compliance

  • License Acquisition and Transfer: We manage the entire process of applying for, purchasing, and transferring all types of Pennsylvania liquor licenses, including restaurant, eating place, catering club, and hotel licenses.
  • Manufacturing Licenses: We assist craft beverage producers with obtaining and maintaining brewery, winery, and distillery licenses.
  • Permits and Approvals: We handle applications for special permits such as Sunday Sales, Extended Hours, and Wine Expanded Permits.
  • Compliance and Operations: We provide ongoing advice on the state Liquor Code, including guidance on happy hours, “to-go” sales, and acceptable advertising.

Enforcement Actions and Dispute Resolution

  • Citation Defense: We provide aggressive and effective representation for businesses facing citations from the BLCE for alleged violations.
  • License Non-Renewal: We represent licensees before the PLCB’s independent Office of Administrative Law Judge to contest non-renewal actions and other license-related disputes.

Business and Transactional Support

  • Mergers and Acquisitions: We manage the legal aspects of purchasing or selling hospitality businesses, ensuring seamless asset and license transfers.
  • Refinancing: We represent business owners and borrowers in financing, including construction, and acquisitions purchases.
  • Real Estate and Zoning: We assist with property purchases, leases, and local zoning approval processes that impact liquor license operations.
  • Contracts and Agreements: We draft and review all contracts, including purchase or sale agreements, management agreements, joint venture agreements, distributor agreements, rental agreements, leases, and vendor contracts.

What distinguishes our practice?

  • Deep Regulatory Knowledge: We have a deep understanding of Pennsylvania’s unique and constantly evolving alcohol laws, ensuring our clients receive proactive and forward-thinking advice.
  • Full-Service Representation: Our practice leverages expertise in related areas such as business law, real estate, intellectual property, labor and employment, and litigation, allowing us to serve all your business’s legal needs in one place.
  • Industry Recognition: Our attorneys are active in leading industry organizations, , and stay up-to-date on legislative and regulatory changes.
  • Protecting Your Investment: Your liquor license is a valuable asset. We are dedicated to protecting it and your business’s bottom line by providing creative solutions to complex legal challenges.

Our Clients Include

  • Breweries
  • Restaurants and bars
  • Hotels
  • Convenience stores
  • Golf courses
  • Beer distributors
  • Liquor distillers
  • Retail stores
  • Wineries
  • Social Clubs (VFWs, American Legions, etc.)

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