Overview
Alva Mather* is head of the Firm’s Alcohol Regulatory & Distribution Group and focuses her practice on alcohol beverage and cannabis regulatory and commercial matters. She represents companies in the alcohol beverage industry, including brewers, distillers, wineries, importers and retailers. Additionally, she works with clients in the growing cannabis space and has in-depth knowledge of the evolving legal and regulatory issues facing this industry.
A nationally recognized lawyer, Alva combines her extensive knowledge of the commercial and legal landscape as well as deep understanding of the beverage industry to help clients mitigate risk, respond to challenges, and capture and pursue new business opportunities. Her work spans a number of traditional areas of legal practice that affect alcohol beverage and cannabis companies, including litigation, governmental investigation, commercial agreements, alcohol beverage compliance, intellectual property, trade and tax.
Alva frequently writes and speaks on alcohol and cannabis regulatory matters. During law school, Alva served as the articles editor for the University of Pennsylvania Law Review.
*Not admitted to practice in the District of Columbia; admitted only in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Supervised by principals of the Firm who are members of the District of Columbia Bar.
Results
- Represented several of the world’s largest spirits companies through the negotiation, drafting and execution of its distribution agreements for entire US market*
- Provided state-by-state and national alcohol beverage regulatory advice for major beverage suppliers, including advising on tied house considerations, marketing and advertising practices*
- Provided in depth analysis of both TTB and FDA related labeling and formula compliance
- Provided advice to an international brewer regarding opportunities to franchise in the United States
- Represented Italian based wine and spirits company in entering the US market and related national distribution agreements*
- Represented dozens of clients through the negotiation, drafting and execution of new and existing distribution agreements throughout the United States, Caribbean and overseas*
- Provided national regulatory counsel to multi-state retailers as well as software developer regarding 50-state legal treatment of digital coupon and related advertising programs*
- Provided state-by-state analysis of distillery laws and related privileges*
- Counseled numerous clients through the establishment of national licensing regimes and related compliance commitments*
- Defended numerous clients across the country before state and federal regulatory agencies regarding investigation and enforcement proceedings under state and federal alcohol codes*
- Represented numerous distributor termination actions between a national supplier and its in-state wholesalers to successful in-court and out-of-court resolutions*
- Provided analysis and counsel to software and logistics provider regarding marketing of CBD oil on website and related contractual and insurance recommendations*
- Provided analysis and counsel to US based distribution and supply company regarding legality of shipping CBD products under current federal guidance*
- Drafted national and international cannabis policies for international flavoring manufacturer*
- Provided analysis and counsel to international flavor manufacturing regarding sourcing CBD for research and development purpose*
- Provided analysis and counsel to software developer regarding providing services the participants in the cannabis industry*
- Provided analysis and counsel to pharmaceutical company regarding sourcing CBD from a non-DEA regulated facility*
- Provided analysis and counsel to CBD beverage company regarding sales and distribution within the US market*
- Represented numerous clients in seeking medical marijuana licenses in Pennsylvania*
- Represented lead underwriter in US cannabis delivery service IPO in Canada*
*Matter handled prior to joining McDermott
Recognitions
- Chambers USA, Nationwide Food & Beverages, Band 3, 2019
- Chambers USA, Nationwide Food & Beverages: Alcohol category, Recognized practitioner, 2018
- The Legal 500 United States in Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Actions: Consumer Products, 2019
- Rising Stars, Pennsylvania, 2008, 2013 – 2017
- Legal Intelligencer, Lawyers on the Fast Track, 2015
Community
- Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, member
- American Bar Association Cannabis and Alcoholic Beverages Subcommittee, chair
- Drexel University Center for Food and Hospitality Management, advisory board
- Craft Beverage Lawyers Guild, founding member, treasurer
- Tria Restaurant Group, board of managers
- Tapp Technologies, advisory board
Credentials
Education
University of Pennsylvania Law School, JD, 2004
Northwestern University, MA, 2001
Mount Holyoke College, BA, magna cum laude, 1999
Courts/Agencies
United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
United States District Court for the District of New Jersey
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Admissions
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
