Elizabeth A. DeConti is a member of GrayRobinson’s litigation department, focusing her practice in the firm’s alcohol beverage practice area. Based in the Tampa office, Elizabeth’s experience includes compliance review of the rules and regulations governing the marketing, sale, and consumption of distilled spirits, wine, beer, and other licensed beverages for licensed beverage manufacturers and suppliers, distributorship and industry relations contracts, and industry litigation including trade regulation, beer franchise and trademark litigation. Before joining GrayRobinson, Elizabeth was a partner in the Tampa office of Holland and Knight and clerked for the Honorable Antoinette L. Dupont, Chief Judge of the Connecticut Appellate Court. Elizabeth is a member of The Florida Bar and The Connecticut Bar, and is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeal for the Eleventh Circuit, and the United States District Courts for the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Florida. Additionally, she is a member of the American Bar Association, and serves on the Executive Steering Committee of the ABA’s Committee on Alcohol Beverage Practice. Elizabeth earned her B.A., cum laude and With Distinction in Renaissance Studies from Yale University. She received her J.D., cum laude, from the University of Miami School of Law, where she was a Harvey T. Reid Scholar. She is fluent in Italian and French.
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Education
- Yale University, B.A. renaissance studies (cum laude with distinction, 1993)
- University of Miami School of Law, J.D. (cum laude, 1996)
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Admissions
- Florida (1996)
- Connecticut (1997)
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
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Professional Associations and Memberships
- The Florida Bar
- The Connecticut Bar
- Florida Supreme Court - certified circuit mediator
- American Bar Association
- Federal Bar Association
- Hillsborough County Bar Association
- Academy of Hospitality Industry Attorneys
- Women of the Vine and Spirits
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Awards and Recognitions
- AV Preeminent® rated by Martindale-Hubbell
- Chambers USA, Food and Beverages: Alcohol, 2011-2017, 2021-2024
- Best Lawyers in America, Administrative / Regulatory Law, 2019-2022
- Florida Trend, Legal Elite, Government and Administrative, 2021
- Florida Super Lawyers, 2006
- Anthony G. Marshall Hospitality Law Award, 2020
- Tampa Top Rated Lawyer, Alcohol Beverage, 2013
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Civic
- Yale Club of Tampa Bay - President, October, 2017 - present
- Yale Class of 1993, Co-President, July, 2018 - Present
- Sacred Heart Church, parishioner
- United States Tennis Association Florida Section Foundation
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Presentations and Seminars
- "Crypto, NFT's, and Alcohol in the Metaverse," Hospitality Law Conference, May 9, 2023
- "Legal Issues in the Post-Covid World," Vibe Conference, 2021
- "Expanding Businesses Around the Globe with Judith D. Pryor, Board of Directors, EXIM," Women of the Vine and Spirits Leadership Series "C-Suite Insights, April 27, 2021
- "How to Manage the Licensing Process in a Large-Scale Acquisition," The Virtual Hospitality Law Conference: Quick Service + Fast Casual, February 24, 2021
- "How Suppliers Can Support Bartenders and Sommeliers Who are in Need of Funds Today," Women of the Vine and Spirits Live Chat, August 26, 2020
- "Top Ten Things I Wish I Knew About My Liquor Licensed Premises," The Virtual Hospitality Law Conference, June 30, 2020
- Panelist, "Are Hospitality Businesses Ready for State Emergency Orders to be Lifted?," COVID-19 Conversations Webinar Series, June 10, 2020
- "Transfer of Property Needing Continuous Operation," 32nd Annual RPTE National CLE Conference, May 14, 2020
- "Lending a Helping Hand – What Distilleries Should Know in Order to Legally and Responsibly Produce Hand Sanitizer," Women of the Vine and Spirits webinar, April 9, 2020
- "Extensions of Credit and Product Returns During the COVID-19 Crisis," Women of the Vine and Spirits webinar, April 2, 2020
- "Alcohol Advertising In Digital Media," Women of the Vine and Spirits Live Webinar, February 4, 2020
- "Liquor Licensing for Hotel and Restaurant Acquisitions," Hospitality Law Conference, October 3, 2018
- Panelist: "How Alcohol Beverage Companies Stand Out in 2018: Digital Brand Promotion Challenges Within the Regulatory Framework", Federal Bar Association Annual Meeting and Convention, September 13, 2018
- "Alcohol Advertising in the Digital Age," Hospitality Law Conference, April 12, 2018
- "Engaging Guests Through Online Sweepstakes," Hospitality Law Conference, January 11, 2018
- "Alcohol Beverage Liability: Legal Update and Best Practices," DRI Retail and Hospitality Litigation Conference, May 4, 2017
- "Dram Shop Review 2017," Hospitality Law Conference, April 25, 2017
- "Trends In Alcohol Beverage Marketing for On-Premises Retailers," Hospitality Law Conference, April 24, 2017
- "Social Media and Alcohol: Do You Know How to Mix This Cocktail?" Hospitality Law Conference, February 22, 2016
- "The Role of Third Party Ad Agencies in Your Regulated Business," Hospitality Law Conference, February 23, 2016
- "Regulatory Aspects of Mergers and Acquisitions: How to Gobble Up Chains and Licensed Retailers," Hospitality Law Conference, February 10, 2015
- "Alcohol Promotions," Hospitality Law Conference, February 10, 2015
- "Beverage Licensing Challenges in Mixed Use Developments," Hospitality Law Conference, February 9, 2015
- "Putting a Mixed-Use Deal Together Including Entertainment, Restaurants, EB-5 Financing, and Retail," Hospitality Law Conference, February 9, 2015
- "Legal Issues Related to Alcohol and Food-Related Social Media Advertising Campaigns," National Association of Licensing and Compliance Professionals - October 11, 2012
- Live Interactive Webinar: "Developing a Responsible Alcohol Policy," presented by HospitalityLawyer.com - November 4, 2009
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Languages
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Articles and Publications
- Co-Author, "The Rise of Esports and the Fall of Illegal Sports Betting: How They are Related and Why it Matters," January 2021
- "Which Liquor License is Right?" Southern Beverage Journal, Florida Edition, September 2020
- "Top 10 Things I Wish I Knew About My Liquor Licensed Premises," Hospitality Lawyer, August 27, 2020
- "COVID-19’s Impact on Extensions of Credit and Returns in the Alcohol Beverage Industry," Hospitality Lawyer, March 28, 2020
- "Compliance Update: TTB Enforcement and Related Matters," HospitalityLawyer.com, October 2019
- "Unforeseeable Consequences: What’s Your Liability?" Southern Beverage Journal, Florida Edition, October 2019
- "The Future of Sports Gambling in the Hospitality Industry," Hotel Executive, December 2018