My practice focuses on effectively and efficiently assisting my clients’ relationships with their employees, regulators and competitors.  

Though the practice has a specific emphasis and experience representing businesses engaged in the hospitality and alcoholic beverage industries, I work with businesses in many other industries and economies as well, addressing their regulatory, contractual, employment and litigation needs.

I have the privilege of representing the interests of a variety of well-respected and innovative alcoholic beverage producers, as well as wine and spirits wholesalers, malt beverage distributors, and a multitude of on and off-premise retailers, such as hotels, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, stadiums, live entertainment venues, non-profit civic and charitable organizations, liquor stores, grocery stores, drug stores, caterers, and event facilities. We assist these businesses in connection with federal permitting, state and local licensing, enforcement, and policy issues. As such, we take pride in maintaining strong and effective relationships with regulators in the various local jurisdictions around our state, with the Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and at the US Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. I also serve as outside counsel for the Kentucky Distillers' Association, assisting in the formulation of the policies as set forth by its prestigious Board of Directors.

In addition to consulting and regulatory work for these businesses, I am also able to effectively assist clients when problems arise based on my nearly 30 years of experience in litigation with a specific focus in employment law; I represent employers in state and federal courts and the various administrative agencies that address employment-related claims. Employment-related issues with which I have particular experience include the enforcement of non-compete agreements, the investigation and defense of discrimination claims, and the negotiation and enforcement of severance agreements.

I also have meaningful experience defending governmental entities, including specific involvement defending local governments, governmental agencies and government officials for claims brought against those entities under both state and federal law including § 1983 claims, negligence claims, and state constitutional claims for alleged deliberate indifference to medical needs, excessive force, and employment.

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