Government Strategies - Alcohol Beverages & Products

Representative Government Relations Experience:

Developed and executed a legislative strategy for a trade association that attained the passage by the U.S. Congress of a quarterly excise tax filing option for small alcohol beverage producers and importers.
Prepared rulemaking comments for the Flavored Malt Beverage Coalition and several flavored malt beverage manufacturers that contributed directly to TTB's rejection of a proposed 90/10 compositional standard for flavored malt beverages in favor of the 51/49 standard adopted by TTB in January of 2005.
Represented a trade association in a successful campaign to defeat the imposition of user fees for TTB services, coordinating activities with those of other national trade associations.
Represent the Flavored Malt Beverage Coalition in hearings before state legislative committees and regulatory agencies concerning proposals to reclassify flavored malt beverages as spirits.
Represented a coalition of concerned brewers before TTB in connection with the agency’s new alternating brewery proprietorship standards.
Negotiated and prepared state legislation permitting the operation of in-transit wine warehouses within the state.
Monitor and advise clients on alcohol control activities of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG).

McDermott Will & Emery