Wine, Spirits and Beer Law 101 (2025 Edition)

Michael J. Laszlo | Clark Hill PLC

Mike Laszlo is an accomplished litigator and business counselor who focuses his practice on the food, beverage, and hospitality industries. Mike’s clients include restaurant groups, wineries, distilleries, breweries, importers, wholesalers, and retailers. Mike represents businesses in all aspects of the industry including corporate and commercial matters, litigation, complex liquor licensing and three-tier issues, and alcohol franchise laws.

Mike has extensive experience at all stages of litigation, including trials and appeals. Mike’s practical approach to dispute resolution is also influenced by his experience serving in business roles over the years. This combined experience allows him to achieve favorable outcomes thoughtfully and effectively for clients of all shapes and sizes. He understands how problems and disputes fit with his client’s business goals and recognizes that problems and disputes can ultimately lead to opportunity and growth.

As a business counselor, Mike brings a practical perspective to clients to identify opportunities and risks at all stages of the business cycle. Mike advises startups and industry juggernauts on corporate and commercial transactions, complex liquor licensing and three-tier issues, trademarks, and other complex business matters. While not losing sight of the fact that sometimes the best answer is the simple one, Mike excels at finding unique solutions to complex problems.

Additionally, Mike has extensive experience in alternative dispute resolution, such as mediation and arbitration. He is a frequent speaker and commentator on alcohol beverage law and business and commercial law.

Patrick Maroney | Maroney Consulting Services LLC

Patrick Maroney is the President of Maroney Consulting Services LLC, and provides consulting related to liquor laws, rules, liability, training and compliance for liquor licensees and stakeholders. Patrick has over 33 years of experience in law enforcement and regulatory compliance.

In June 2019, Patrick retired from the state of Colorado where he served as the Director for the Colorado Liquor Enforcement Division (LED) since 2013. For over two years previously, Patrick served as the Chief of Investigations for the LED. He has also worked for other government agencies including the Colorado Lottery, Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office and the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office.

Patrick is a former board member of the National Conference of State Liquor Administrators (NCSLA) and has served on several panels during NCSLA conferences as well as hosted the 2017 National Conference in Denver.

During his tenure as Director of the Colorado Liquor Enforcement Division, Patrick saw several changes in liquor law, policy, rules and industry practices. He worked closely with liquor stakeholders in 2016 and 2018 to implement two bills passed by the Colorado legislature that brought about the most significant changes to Colorado’s liquor laws since Prohibition. He understands the importance of strengthening America’s strong alcohol regulatory system and its relevancy to protecting public health and safety.

I. Three-tier system of distribution | 12:00pm – 12:20pm

II. Tied house laws | 12:20pm – 12:40pm

III. Trade practice requirements governing alcohol beverages | 12:40pm – 1:00pm

Break | 1:00pm – 1:10pm

IV. Federal and State Licensing | 1:10pm – 1:25pm

V. Growth in online sales and DTC | 1:25pm – 1:40pm

VI. General framework and understanding | 1:40pm – 1:55pm

VII. Laws and regulations | 1:55pm – 2:10pm