Beer Law Center

Beer Law Center is a specialized boutique law firm dedicated exclusively to serving the craft beverage industry, including breweries, wineries, distilleries, and other alcohol beverage suppliers and retailers. Founded over 10 years ago by John R. Szymankiewicz, Esq., P.E., the firm has established itself as a leading legal resource for the craft beverage community. The practice focuses on providing comprehensive legal services throughout the entire business lifecycle of alcohol producers and sellers, from startup formation through business exit strategies. Their core service areas include federal and state licensing, with extensive experience helping hundreds of clients navigate TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) and ABC licensing requirements. The firm handles business formation and startup consultation, assisting clients in selecting appropriate business structures and fundraising strategies. They provide alcohol compliance services, helping businesses navigate the complex and often counterintuitive alcohol regulations at both federal and state levels. Contract and agreement services cover all manner of business agreements, leases, and contracts necessary for alcohol business operations. The firm specializes in trademark and branding services, offering comprehensive brand management strategies that extend beyond simple trademark registration to include cohesive legal protection for current and future brand development. They handle buying and selling of alcohol businesses, representing both buyers and sellers in transactions to protect investments during business transitions. Employment law services address the unique challenges of hiring and managing employees in the alcohol industry, including the additional complexities that alcohol components bring to employer-employee relationships. Intellectual property services encompass more than trademark work, including non-compete agreements, non-disclosure agreements, and trade secret protection specifically tailored to the alcohol industry. The firm's geographic scope includes trademark, TTB, and federal law matters for businesses worldwide, while state law practice is focused on North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Founded by John Szymankiewicz, who brings over 25 years of homebrewing experience and holds certifications as a Cicerone, BJCP Judge, and Level II WSET in Wines, the firm combines legal expertise with deep industry knowledge and passion. Beer Law Center has successfully helped over 200 small and independent alcohol businesses achieve their business goals, building long-term relationships with clients who often stay with the firm throughout their business growth and development.