Wendel Rosen represent clients in the food and beverage, alcohol beverages, restaurant and hospitality industries. Our food and beverage clients include multinational corporations, foreign companies selling to the U.S. market, closely-held businesses and high growth, venture capital backed businesses. Our restaurant and café clients range from single location businesses to nationwide chains. We draw upon our years of industry experience to solve legal issues in every facet of our clients’ businesses, whether they be corporate transactions, regulatory counseling, or litigation and dispute resolution. Combining deep experience, broad insight, and close relationships, Wendel Rosen offers food and beverage clients comprehensive guidance for long-term success.
Corporate Guidance
Regardless of their industry focus, clients turn to us for corporate guidance due to our deep experience with entity formation, intellectual property, human resource management, corporate governance, raising capital, and liquidity events. We also assist with specialized industry agreements, including agreements for contract manufacturing, supply, processing, warehousing, brokerage, and distribution.
Regulatory Compliance
We provide guidance on regulations and statutes pertaining to food and beverage quality and safety, labeling, and advertising. We are well versed in federal laws (e.g., the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, the Food Safety Modernization Act, the National Organic Program, the Pure Food and Drug Act, and the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act) and state laws governing food and beverages and alcoholic beverages. Our experience with the FDA, USDA, EPA, and the FTC and their state agency counterparts helps us guide clients to success.
Business Protection
We know that our clients’ success depends on their ability to mitigate risk and resolve disputes before they turn into bigger challenges. We offer litigation support for business disputes and class action litigation. Our skilled litigators partner with our clients to defend them from employment, Prop 65, labeling, advertising, intellectual property, product liability, and contractual claims. We singularly focus on efficiently resolving litigation and minimizing its effect on our clients’ businesses.
-
Represented leading craft brewery as plaintiff in trademark infringement action in federal district court; obtained consent permanent injunction and fees in action to enforce injunction.
-
Represented the manufacturer of natural organic fruit snacks in its acquisition by a leading national natural foods company
-
Represented the owners of a Napa County vineyard in negotiating a settlement of a Cleanup and Abatement Order in which the agency initially sought penalties and site restoration that could have cost the client several million dollars. The final resolution required only an off-site mitigation program, which cost the owners $15,000.
-
Represented national food manufacturing company in office and industrial lease transactions across the country, as well as in the sale of industrial, warehouse and manufacturing facilities. Some purchasers continue to use facilities for existing uses while others redeveloped the properties for residential, commercial/retail and industrial projects.
-
Defended CEQA and legal challenge brought by a citizen group related to Napa County’s approval of 360-acre vineyard development.
-
Advised organic and fair trade food manufacturer in acquisition of North American trademark rights and worldwide trademark registration matters.
Publications

Ninth Circuit Offers Food Producers Relief from Prop 65 Acrylamide Lawsuits
03/25/2022 | Wendy Manley
The Ninth Circuit has reinstated an injunction on Proposition 65 claims against food products containing acrylamide, bringing a large number of food producers at least temporary relief from costly litigation. Proposition…
Full Article
Regulatory Update: Sesame Added As Major Food Allergen; FDA Issues Voluntary Guidance For Now
06/17/2021 | Wendel Rosen LLP
Under the Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education and Research Act of 2021 (FASTER Act), sesame has now been added to the list of major food allergens for which labeling disclosures…
Full Article
Restaurant Revitalization Fund – Applications Released
04/23/2021 | Wendel Rosen LLP
On April 17, 2021, the Small Business Association (SBA) released a comprehensive Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) Program Guide outlining eligibility and the application process. Restaurants and other foodservice entities can…
Full ArticleEvents

OSC Expo West 2022
03/08/2022 | One Step Closer
Wendel Rosen is pleased to sponsor the OSC Expo West 2022, hosted by the One Step Closer Community, for a three-day conference between March 8th to the 11th in Anaheim,…
Full Article
Board Review Bootcamp
10/08/2020 | Naturally Bay Area
On October 8, Naturally Bay Area presents Board Review Bootcamp, an interactive workshop and networking event for natural and organic industry leaders. During Board Review Bootcamp, participants will work in…
Full Article
CiderCon
01/28/2020 | American Cider Association
Wendel Rosen is pleased to sponsor CiderCon Tuesday, January 28 – Friday, January 31. Join us in exploring the delicious universe of Central California Cider. Explore local orchards, indulge in…
Full ArticleDate | Category | Host | Title |
---|---|---|---|
11/05/2017 | Sponsorship | California Craft Brewers Association | California Craft Brewers Association Fall Conference |
10/22/2017 | Seminar | Food Craft Institute | Starting Your Own Craft Brewery: Business & Legal Considerations |
05/23/2017 | Seminar | California Craft Brewers Association | Know Your ABC’s Seminar |
05/22/2017 | Seminar | California Craft Brewers Association | Expert-Is-In Session (ABC Issues) |
02/13/2017 | Seminar | Bavarian Breweries & Distilleries | So You Want to be A Distiller: Licensing, Labeling and Reporting Requirements |
11/14/2016 | Seminar | California Craft Brewers Association | The Expert Is In (ABC Issues) |
11/13/2016 | Sponsorship | California Craft Brewers Association | California Craft Brewers Conference |
10/29/2016 | Seminar | Food Craft Institute | Legal Tips for Craft Breweries |
09/18/2016 | Seminar | Bavarian Breweries & Distilleries | So You Want to be A Distiller: Licensing, Labeling and Reporting Requirements |
06/06/2016 | Seminar | Bavarian Breweries & Distilleries | So You Want to be A Distiller: Licensing, Labeling and Reporting Requirements |
05/03/2016 | Seminar | Brewers Association's Craft Brewers Conference | Top Ten Legal Tips for Craft Breweries |
01/22/2016 | Sponsorship | San Francisco Brewers Guild | SF Beer Week 2016 |
10/25/2015 | Seminar | Food Craft Institute | The Business of Beer: Legal Issues |
10/15/2015 | Seminar | The Bar Association of San Francisco | Brewery Law Basics |
04/03/2014 | Seminar | Brewers Association's Craft Brewers Conference | Trademark Law: Picking, Protecting and Policing Your Brands |
11/12/2013 | Seminar | Sonoma County Beer, Cider & Spirits Conference | Financing and Resources for the Sonoma Artisan Community |
02/17/2013 | Sponsorship | SF Beer Week | Celebrator Beer News’ 25th Anniversary Brewers’ Party |
News

Food & Beverage Post Pandemic – Bill Acevedo Provides Industry Insight
05/17/2021 | Los Angeles Times
The global outbreak of COVID-19 in early 2020 brought about unprecedented change, disruption and innovation within the food and beverage sector. In a recent Los Angeles Times virtual panel, Partner…
Full Article
Sargento Cheese Faces Litigation for Its ‘No Antibiotics’ Claim – Bill Acevedo Provides Legal Insight on the Lawsuit
01/28/2021 | Food Navigator USA
In an article by Food Navigator USA, Partner Bill Acevedo comments on the recent legal challenges leveled against Sargento Foods and the “no antibiotics” claim used on many of its’ product…
Full Article
Partner Bill Acevedo Highlights Potential Hurdles for the Food and Beverage Industry in 2021
12/22/2020 | Wendel Rosen LLP
Food Navigator-USA published an article on December 21, 2020 about the outlook of the food and beverage industry in 2021. They sought information from food and beverage attorneys, including Wendel Rosen…
Full Article