March 24, 2025
GrayRobinson is pleased to share that Regulated Products Section Chair Richard Blau, Shareholder Hannah Becker, Beverage Consultant Bentley Nettles, and Associate Attorney Lauren Voke participated in the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (NABCA) 32nd Annual Symposium on Alcohol Beverage Law and Regulation in Arlington, Va.
The “The Litigation Landscape: A Brave New World?” session moderated by Lauren with Richard and Bentley as panelists covered litigation over retailer and manufacturer delivery rights in the beverage alcohol sector, highlighting how these issues are intensifying. It also addressed emerging challenges related to home distilling and its intersection with federal prohibitions. Some legal scholars argue that these challenges stem from recent U.S. Supreme Court precedent regarding anti-delegation principles and a shift in federalism favoring state authority, while others view them as a significant departure from established legal frameworks, particularly given the Supreme Court’s evolving stance on stare decisis. As litigation continues to shape the industry, attorneys in this session examined the cases most likely to have a lasting impact on the alcohol market moving forward.
Hannah’s “Sponsorships and Celebrity Endorsements” session explored the evolving role of alcohol sponsorships in celebrity endorsements and college athletics, particularly in the wake of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals and high-profile branding agreements like Pitbull’s naming rights to FIU’s football stadium. This collaboration exemplifies the growing intersection of entertainment, sports marketing, and corporate sponsorship. Additionally, as the influence of NIL continues to expand, the session examined how alcohol sponsorships fit within the current college athletics landscape, highlighting key opportunities for stakeholders. Drawing from events like the Modelo Las Vegas kickoff, panelists analyzed the legal considerations of alcohol involvement in sports sponsorship, as well as the connection between NIL collective fundraising efforts and college athlete endorsements across varying jurisdictions.
Led by Richard, the GrayRobinson national Alcohol Law Team is ranked Band 1 for Nationwide Food and Beverages: Alcohol in Chambers USA 2024. The Alcohol Law Team has expertise in the federal, state, and local laws that govern the production, importation, distribution, promotion, and sale of alcohol beverages. The team serves all segments (beer, wine, and distilled spirits) and all tiers (manufacturers/importers, wholesale distributors, and retailers) of the alcohol industry.
The NABCA is the national association representing the 18 political jurisdictions that directly control the distribution and sale of alcohol beverages within their borders.