Claire Mitchell

Overview

Claire is a nationally recognized lawyer advising food, beverage and hospitality businesses on complex federal, state and local regulatory requirements.

Claire’s clients include grocers, restaurants, hotel and resort operators, e-commerce retailers, sports and entertainment venues, airlines, cruise lines, alcohol brand owners, producers of beer, wine and spirits, and private equity investors. Her practice involves advising businesses on federal and state liquor licensing, tied house compliance, trade practice regulation, advertising campaigns, sponsorship deals, acquisitions, procurement of non-liquor permits and licenses, and a wide range of industry-specific commercial transactions.

Claire develops practical and tailored strategies that ensure her clients comply with the regulations while simultaneously achieving their business objectives. In her many years of practice, Claire has built strong connections with regulators, consultants and trade associations, and she leverages that network to help clients expedite necessary approvals, structure new and innovative business models, resolve compliance concerns and overcome challenging regulatory obstacles.

Professional Activities

• Alliance of Alcohol Industry Attorneys & Consultants, Member
• National Association of Licensing and Compliance Professionals, Associate Member
• National Alcoholic Beverage Control Association, Associate Member
• National Conference of State Liquor Administrators, Associate Member
• Washington Wine Industry Foundation, Board Member, January 2024–present

Experience

Representative Alcohol Beverage Licensing and Regulatory Work

Retail Tier

• Provides ongoing counsel to one of the largest retailers in the world on issues ranging from consumer marketing programs related to alcohol, private label alcohol, direct to consumer sales, state bottle bill requirements and tied house restrictions.
• Serves as alcohol licensing and regulatory counsel in Washington and Oregon for a multibillion dollar instant delivery retailer of alcohol, food and other consumer goods.
• Coordinated the process for obtaining spirits retail sales privileges at over 60 locations on behalf of a national grocery store chain.
• Representation of world’s largest coffeehouse chain in obtaining liquor licenses on a national scale.
• Assisted a global e-commerce retailer in obtaining a liquor license for its brick and mortar cashless and checkout-free shopping experience, the first such location of its kind in the U.S.
• Representation of multiple international hotel operators in seeking state liquor licenses across the Pacific Northwest.
• Advocated on behalf of an age restricted living community before the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board in connection with seeking a liquor license for a complex multi-use area.
• Regularly perform 50-state survey research to determine the permissibility of alcohol advertising promotions, production and distribution of private label alcohol and the direct shipment of wine on behalf of retail and non-retail liquor licensed companies.
• Representation of convenience store management company in obtaining state liquor, lottery, tobacco and over-the-counter medicine sales licenses at multiple stores in multiple states.
• Work with multiple global cruise lines on alcohol licensing and compliance matters.

Supplier Tier

• Regularly serves as the lead alcohol regulatory subject matter expert in connection with transactions that involve businesses holding liquor licenses, with a focus on handling alcohol related due diligence, preparation and negotiation of corresponding sections of transaction documents, and post-closing licensure and compliance matters.
• Performs detailed analysis of state tied house and trade practice restrictions on behalf of numerous supplier clients on a national level on an ongoing basis.
• Handled state alcohol regulatory matters in partnership with the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission in connection with one of the largest winery acquisitions in Oregon’s history on behalf of the buyer.
• Analysis of alcohol franchise laws in all 50 states in order to draft alcohol distribution agreements on behalf of a large hard seltzer producer in connection with its nationwide product launch.
• Managed the process for obtaining critical distribution licenses from the Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board on behalf of one of the world’s largest brewers and beer distribution companies.
• Provided strategic guidance to a mid-market wine company in connection with its entry into spirits importation and distribution in a dozen states throughout the U.S.
• Counseled a Washington-based brewery on a multi-phased expansion involving the licensing of multiple restaurants, a brewery, a beer garden, a live music venue and other features.
• Drafted an international contract manufacturing and export agreement on behalf of a U.S.-based tequila brand owner.
• Assisted one of the nation’s largest contract alcohol producers in obtaining production licenses from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
• Completed an in-depth analysis of an alcohol producer’s product labels to ensure compliance with Food and Drug Administration, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau and Federal Trade Commission regulations.

Representative Food Regulatory Work

• Regularly serves as the lead food and FDA regulatory subject matter expert in connection with transactions that involve food and agriculture industry businesses, with a focus on handling regulatory due diligence, preparation and negotiation of corresponding sections of transaction documents, and post-closing licensure and compliance matters.
• Representation of big-box retailer in product labeling and advertising matters—including labeling claims related to nutrition, safety, country of origin and environment—to ensure compliance with Food and Drug Administration, Customs and Border Patrol, and Federal Trade Commission regulations.
• Renegotiated vendor contracts on behalf of a national cheese and dairy product processing company.
• Frequently counsels food processors, farms, alcohol manufacturers, warehouses and other businesses on the legal requirements under the Food Safety Modernization Act.
• Advised multiple food processors and retailers on the legal implications of producing and selling food containing cannabidiol (CBD).
• Provides guidance to multiple food and agribusiness companies on the permits and licenses necessary for food production, storage, transportation, distribution and sale on an ongoing basis.

News & Insights